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Hanoi City Half-Day Private Tour: Explore Rich Architecture, Culture and Train Street Highlights
4.7
52 Ratings
Hoàn Kiếm
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
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Highlights
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - Our tour guide and the vehicle will arrive your hotel/location as pickup time scheduled to pick you up 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 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. - 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. - Train Street - Hanoi Train Street is one of the Best Things To Do to learn and explore Hanoi local life Rather than being a normal road with car or motorbike traffic, it has actual real railway lines running through it. Homes and businesses literally open out onto the railway lines. For the most part, the locals who live and move through there go about their day as with any other Hanoi street. Motorbikes zoom up and down the side of the railway lines. Local ladies cook delicious smelling foods, crouched over their seasoned cooking pots and surrounded by bundles of herbs and other fresh ingredients. Kids run around, crossing the tracks to each other’s houses. - 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
- Meal in tour (Special beef/chicken noodle soup)
- Private transfers during trip
- English/Vietnamese speaking guide
- One bottled water per person
- All entrance fees at the sites
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
4.7
(52 Ratings)
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Grandtour764534
May 19, 2024
Brilliant half day tour - Brilliant tour of all the main historical attractions in Hanoi. Linh was an amazing tour guide, very friendly and knowledgeable. We had a great day. Not to be missed if you’re short on time and want to see the key points of interest.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Companion39845630982
May 19, 2024
Great experience - Great tour great and tour guide. A great way to explore the town. Very knowledgeable guide. I got to see all of the major sites of the town and one day fire very comfortable car.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephen
Apr 25, 2024
Very enjoyable and informative - Guide was excellent. He was very engaging and informative. His knowledge of the history was very high. Our driver was also very pleasant and punctual
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mattln4378kk
Apr 11, 2024
Excellent tour - so well worth it - Lan was an excellent guide. Highly recommend a private tour rather than group. Very knowledgeable and great with my kids. Tailored the tour to us. Packed lots into just 4 hours. Thank you so much Lan!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert_m
Apr 7, 2024
Hanoi in a nutshell - Train Street was clearly the highlight of this tour. Where else in the world would tourists wait for train passing through the middle of the street whilst enjoying cocktails? Pure madness but uniquely Vietnam. Our guide was very knowledgable and took us to many interesting places in Hanoi. The driver was very skilful in this manic city. If you want a short informative tour in old Hanoi this would be a good choice..
Review provided by Viator
Lovetravel142956
Apr 4, 2024
Hanoi city tour - Nhat was very helpful and very informative. Highly recommend this tour and the guide we had received. We got to experience everything with no issues and it was highly enjoyable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vivian_a
Apr 1, 2024
Exceptional - Jong was fabulous, his driver was great and the tour was a major highlight of Hanoi. We saw so much and all was explained in pretty good english, we were taken to their famous Pho restaurant where Barrick Obama ate, Train street is a must, Ho Chi Minns Mausoleum was an eye opener. Loved it all.
Review provided by Viator
Navigator06669676551
May 29, 2024
Memorable, fun, worth doing - We started off with the Temple of Literature, followed by the wholesale market, then Train Street, and then finally the train tracks on a bridge. Our guide, Quang Tran was super friendly, very detailed, and what we really loved most was his energy. He was very positive and bubbly, and helped me take numerous nice photos, along with tons of recommendations on how to pose. The weather was excessively hot and that put a damper somewhat on our enthusiasm but overall it was a very pleasant and enjoyable tour. Thank you, Quang!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Donna_g
Apr 29, 2024
Tour of Hanoi - Stop overs at different places ok. I was not interested in silk shop even though it was beautiful. Did not like final market stop. Would like more time in old quarter itself
Review provided by Viator
Srikumar_p
May 1, 2024
Smoking driver ruined the trip - Great places to visit, guide was knowledgeable to describe its importance. The transport taxi was A/C but was filled with cigarette smoke. No lunch and water was received as promised on their Viator web description of trip details.
Review provided by Viator
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