• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - Begin the tour at 8:30 am. Start by exploring the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his stilt house, the botanical garden, and the Presidential Palace, while learning about his life and revolutionary contributions. This area was once the residence of the Governor of Indochina. After 1954, it was renamed the Presidential Palace and became Ho Chi Minh’s residence and workplace until his passing in 1969. On the way out, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, originally built in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong, inspired by a dream of Bodhisattva on a lotus flower. The pagoda was destroyed by the French in 1954 but was restored by the Vietnam Ministry of Culture after the city was reclaimed on October 10th, 1954. The current structure is from this restoration.

• Temple Of Literature - Arrive at the Temple of Literature around 11:00 am. This site combines the Confucius Temple, established in 1070, and Vietnam’s first Royal National University, founded in 1076. Known as a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle, the temple and its beautiful garden offer insights into Vietnam’s educational history from a millennium ago to the present.

• At 12:00 pm, enjoy a delightful lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

• Hoa Lo Prison - At 1:00 pm, visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, humorously dubbed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ by American POWs during the Vietnam War. The exhibits primarily focus on the prison’s history up to the mid-1950s, highlighting the Vietnamese fight for independence from France. A notable exhibit is the French guillotine used on Vietnamese revolutionaries. Displays also cover American pilots held at Hoa Lo during the Vietnam War, including Pete Peterson, the first US ambassador to a unified Vietnam in 1995, and Senator John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee. McCain’s flight suit and a photo of his rescue from Truc Bach Lake in 1967 are featured.

• Chua Tran Quoc - At 3:30 pm, visit the fascinating Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during Emperor Ly Nam De’s reign (544 - 548). The Buddhist shrine has undergone several transformations, notably its renaming from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (protecting the country) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century.

• Thang Long Water Puppet - Enjoy a traditional Water Puppet show, an art form originating in the 11th century. This tradition began when rice fields were flooded, and villagers entertained themselves by performing with puppets in waist-deep water. Using long rods, the puppets appeared to move across the water, with puppeteers hidden behind a screen.

• Lunch
• Entrance fees
• One bottle of water per person
• In-vehicle air conditioning

• Personal fee
• Gratuities

• Explore Hanoi’s most iconic destinations and delve into the city’s rich and unique history with our knowledgeable guides. Every question will be answered as you visit The Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, the spiritual Tran Quoc Pagoda with its Buddhist features, The Street of Love, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, and Hoa Lo Prison, where remnants of the war still linger.
• Additionally, enjoy a captivating water puppet show, an art form that dates back to the 11th century. This tradition originated when rice paddy fields were flooded, and villagers created entertainment by standing in waist-deep water, with puppets performing on the water’s surface.

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