Hanoi City Tour

Capital of Vietnam, HANOI is a blend of long established traditions and modern imprints of Western colonization. Tree-lined boulevards and colonial buildings give the city a touch of Western elegance, while crowded blocks of tiny old houses and narrow lanes full of daily life bear the charms of the past centuries. Start the day by visiting the Temple of Literature dated as far back as 1076 AD, dedicated to Confucius and once the Mandarin Training School in the olden days.

Continue to visit the lotus-shaped One-Pillar Pagoda dated back as far as 1049. Then visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where his embalmed body is kept for homage visit (The Mausoleum is closed weekly on Monday and Friday; and annually for October and November). Take a walk from the mausoleum through the park to see the former French Gorvernor's Palace and the wooden cabin commonly known as HO CHI MINH'S HOUSE ON STILTS in which he lived from 1958 till his final days in 1969. Finally, take a cyclo ride to go on exploring Hanoi your way along the main streets.

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Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, HANOI still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. Narrow lanes and traditional shophouses invite exploration by cyclo, while its many beautiful public spaces - lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments - give the city an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals.

Begin your day visiting the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and one of the best serving examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university. Continue to the miniature One-Pillar Pagoda. Also dating from the 11th century, this monument was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954. Today it stands near the vast HO CHI MINH MEMORIAL COMPLEX, a lovely park setting which is home to Ho Chi Minh's final resting place, as well as a museum and other memorials.

Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where visitors can pay respects to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. The Mausoleum is closed on every Mondays and Fridays and closes annually in October and November for restoration. Continue through the park to HO CHI MINH'S STILT HOUSE,the simple two-room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his final days ( 1969). Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows. Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows.

Afterwards head to visit one of Hanoi's famous museums, the MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY (Closed on Mondays and Vietnam New Year), which brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings. In the afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, located in heart of Hanoi, which contains an islet with the tiny TORTOISE PAGODA. Enroute, pass other colonial landmarks such as the magnificent OPERA HOUSE (may be seen from the outside only) and ST JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL.

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