Hanoi City Half-Day Private Tour: Explore Rich Architecture, Culture and Train Street Highlights

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Hoàn Kiếm

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Discover the rich architecture, culture, and train street highlights of Hanoi City on this engaging half-day private tour. Explore temples, markets, and narrow streets while learning about the city’s history and France’s influence. Don’t miss the unique experience of Hanoi Train Street!

Duration: 5 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum - Our tour guide and the vehicle will pick you up at your hotel/location as pickup time scheduled and then start the Half Day Hanoi Tour. The first site of the tour is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, one of the most visited attractions in Hanoi (it is open in the morning from 8:00am - 11:30am & close on Monday, Friday weeky). It is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the most iconic and popular leader of Vietnam, known to his people as ‘Uncle Ho’. His body is preserved here in a glass case at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in central Hanoi (albeit against his wishes). For visitors, a trip to Uncle Ho’s final resting place can be an extraordinary experience as it is not just an average attraction; it’s a part of a unique history (no shorts, no miniskirts are allowd when entering the mausoleum).
One Pillar Pagoda - Legend claims that The One Pillar Pagoda was built following a dream by the fatherless emperor in which the enlightened being Avalokiteshvara gave him a baby son resting on a lotus flower. Emperor Ly Thai Tong commissioned the pagoda to be created in resemblance of this lotus flower which is also the Buddhist symbol of enlightenment. The Emperor remained in gratitude to the bodhisattva and subsequently to to Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy following the birth of his son. Inside the temple a richly gilded statue of Quan Am takes centre place at the main altar. Today, the concrete pillar that supports the tiny wooden pagoda is a replacement for the original one which was blown up by the departing French, it remains unclear how much of the wooden temple is the original one.
Temple of Literature & National University - The Temple of Literature is often cited as one of Hanoi’s most picturesque tourist attractions. Originally built as a university in 1070 dedicated to Confucius, scholars and sages, the building is extremely well preserved and is a superb example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture.
This ancient site offers a lake of literature, the Well of Heavenly Clarity, turtle steles, pavilions, courtyards and passageways that were once used by royalty. Visiting the Temple of Literature you will discover historic buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties in a revered place that has seen thousands of doctors’ graduate in what has now become a memorial to education and literature.
Originally the university only accepted aristocrats, the elite and royal family members as students before eventually opening its doors to brighter ‘commoners’. Successful graduates had their names engraved on a stone stele which can be found on top of the stone turtles.
Dong Xuan Market - The Dong Xuan Market is the largest wholesale market in Hanoi, built in 1889. Coming to Dong Xuan Market, you can find a wide range of commodities from fabric, clothing, local handicrafts, souvenirs and street foods. Read on to explore all the specific things about Dong Xuan Market. When the nationwide war broke out in 1946, Dong Xuan Market witnessed the fierce battles of Vietnamese resistance fighters against the French soldiers, especially the combat of deciding-to-die soldiers (Quyết Tử Quân) to prevent the French attack on the Inter-resistance Zone 1 in February 1947.
For more than 100 years, Dong Xuan Market has associated with many important milestones throughout the history of Hanoi, contained all the material and sentimental value of Hanoi and become one of the inseparable symbols of Hanoi.
Long Bien Bridge - In 1882, after the French army conquered Hanoi, the bridge was constructed in 1899 and completed in 1902. A symbol of the tenacity and resilience of the Hanoian people, the Long Bien Bridge was bombed on several occasions during the American War, and each time quickly repaired by the Vietnamese. The bridge, used by trains, mopeds and pedestrians, is undergoing reconstruction to restore its original appearance. It’s colorfully illuminated at night.
Hanoi Opera House - The Hanoi Opera House (French: Opéra de Hanoï) was erected by the French colonial administration between 1901 and 1911 (you are allowed to visit the outside of the building only). It is one of three opera houses that the French built during their time in Indochina, the others are Haiphong Opera House and Municipal Theatre in Ho Chi Minh city.
It was modeled on the Palais Garnier, the older of Paris’s two opera houses, and is considered to be one of the architectural landmarks of Hanoi. The main architectural style of the Opera House is Neoclassicism. After the departure of the French the opera house became the scene for several political events. as well as the scene of street fighting during the fight for Hanoi. Then the vehicle will drop you off the same pickup place. Your say goodbye to tour guide and driver. End of the trip!

What's Included

Private transfers during trip
English/Vietnamese speaking guide
One bottled water per person
All entrance fees at the sites
Coffee (or egg-coffee) or tea while visiting the Train Street

What's Not Included

Tips/Gratuity

Additional Information

Uncover the abundant history of Vietnam in Hanoi, the heartbeat of the country’s culture. Embark on a half-day tour delivering the major attractions of Hanoi, tailored for those with a tight schedule.

Immerse yourself in the splendid architecture and diverse culture of Hanoi through a compact half-day tour designed to showcase the primary features of the city. Navigating through the crowded streets of Hanoi can be daunting, so why not let a small-group tour guide do the work? You’ll be free to absorb the beauty and historical significance of the sites without the worry of getting lost.

Get a closer look at Hanoi’s lively markets, thin lanes, religious hubs, and temples during this half-day expedition. Observe the legacy left by the French as you tour the French Quarter and Opera House. An air-conditioned vehicle will offer respite as you transfer between these historical sites. Don’t miss out on the unique experience of witnessing Hanoi Train Street, a remarkable spectacle that is sure to be the highlight of your journey.

Ho Chi Minh mausoleum opens only in morning time and closed weekly on Monday; Friday. You can visit only outside of the mausoleum if you choose tours on Monday, Friday or tours departure sheduled after 10:00am
All passengers must dress modestly, shorts wearing must be to knee length when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum
All passenger shoulders must be covered by scarfs when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum
Hanoi Opera House are closed and only open to public for its ceremonies and some special events. The visit to this site is to experience the old French styled architectures lean the history.

Location

Hanoi Opera House

Tràng Tiền

It is located next to Hanoi Hilton Hotel.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.8

(85 Ratings)

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U2570vstomo

Aug 18, 2024

Amazing experience - We went on a half day city tour with our guide Mr Long. He was amazing with the wealth of knowledge he had of Hanoi city and how he went over and beyond to make us feel comfortable and relaxed . Definitely would recommend asking for him.