• Tran Quoc Pagoda - At 8:00 am, a tour guide and vehicle from Paradise Indochina Travel will pick you up from your hotel to begin the tour with a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda. This is the oldest pagoda, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 - 548). Over the years, the Buddhist shrine has undergone several changes, including a name change from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (meaning “protecting the country”) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century. Originally located on the banks of the Red River, it was moved to an islet within West Lake in 1615 due to river encroachment. Surrounded by lush greenery, Tran Quoc Pagoda was a favorite among kings and royal families for festivals, full moons, and the Tet Festival.

• Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum - The next stop is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, where you can explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting place. This is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s most iconic and beloved leader, affectionately known as ‘Uncle Ho’. His body is preserved in a glass case at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in central Hanoi, despite his wishes. Visiting Uncle Ho’s final resting place offers a unique historical experience. The mausoleum’s construction began in 1973, modeled after Lenin’s mausoleum in Russia, and opened to the public in 1975. Security is strict, and visitors should dress respectfully (no shorts, sleeveless shirts, or miniskirts) and must deposit their bags and cameras before entering.

• Presidential Palace - The tour continues to the historical site of the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. Constructed in 1900 by French architect Auguste Henri Vildieu, it was intended to be Ho Chi Minh’s official residence, but he chose a traditional Vietnamese stilt house instead. The three-story, mustard-yellow building features 30 rooms in colonial French architectural style, an orchard, a carp pond, and a 91-meter long boulevard surrounded by lush gardens. As political gatherings are still held at the Presidential Palace, visitors can only explore the gardens and Ho Chi Minh’s stilt home. The peaceful grounds surrounding the palace are home to well-maintained botanical gardens and lush fruit groves, making it an ideal escape from the bustling Old Quarter during a holiday.

• Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House - This modest, traditional stilt house, where Ho lived intermittently from 1958 to 1969, is set in a well-tended garden next to a carp-filled pond and has been preserved just as Ho left it. The clear views through the open doorways and windows offer insights more fascinating than many museum displays. The stilt house is now used for official receptions and isn’t open to the public, but visitors may wander the grounds if they stick to the paths. From here, you can view the opulent beaux-arts Presidential Palace. There is a combined entrance gate to the stilt house and palace grounds on P Ong Ich Kiem inside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex.

• One Pillar Pagoda - Legend has it 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 resemble this lotus flower, which is also the Buddhist symbol of enlightenment. The Emperor remained grateful to the bodhisattva and subsequently to Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy, following the birth of his son. Inside the temple, a richly gilded statue of Quan Am takes center place at the main altar. After the temple was completed, loyal followers flocked daily to give thanks and support to the emperor, praying to Quan Am for a long and successful reign.

• 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 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, now a memorial to education and literature. Initially, 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.

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - This is a “must-see” while in Hanoi City. Tourists will be amazed by the great artifacts carefully displayed here, such as clothes, tools, and models of rituals, funerals, weddings, etc. Everything is displayed as a small corner of life and traditional culture of ancient ethnic people.

• Bat Trang Ceramics Village - After lunch (enjoying a special noodle soup in Hanoi Old Quarter), the tour continues to Bat Trang Ceramic & Pottery village. Here, you will see a massive array of products for trading. You can also participate in a Pottery Class and learn how to create handmade products. Bat Trang Ceramics Village is a 14th-century porcelain and pottery village near Hanoi, home to local artisans who combine both traditional and modern techniques to create beautiful porcelain artworks. Not only can you purchase some of the finest handmade ceramic products in Vietnam, but you can also see them being made right before your eyes during your visit. Located next to the Red River within the Gia Lam District, Bat Trang Ceramics Village Hanoi holds an important place in the history of the ceramics industry in Asia, as it’s close to trading ports Thang Long and Pho Hien. Today, visitors can explore its many ceramic stores and workshops to browse through a vast selection of vases, bowls, cups, and plates.

• Long Bien - The rest of the time is spent walking to Long Bien Bridge for a visit to a historical site. From here, you can overlook the Eco-farm, including Garden Guava, banana, and corn, etc. Long Bien Bridge (also known as Paul Doumer Bridge) was constructed between 1899 and 1902 and designed by Gustave Eiffel, the creator of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Due to its strategic position connecting Hanoi Capital to the coastal Hai Phong city, Long Bien Bridge was heavily bombed during the American war of Vietnamese people against invaders. Nowadays, this bridge is still in use for trains, mopeds, and pedestrians crossing the romantic Red River. The unique architecture and the vibrant life of locals here make Long Bien Bridge Hanoi a symbol of the desire for peace among Hanoians. A visit to Long Bien Bridge will leave a lasting impression!

• Hanoi Opera House - The Hanoi Opera House was erected by the French colonial administration between 1901 and 1911 (you are allowed to visit the outside of the building). It was modeled on the Palais Garnier, the older of Paris’s two opera houses, and is considered 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 street fighting during the fight for Hanoi. After this place, our car and driver will drop you off at the same pickup location. End of the service!

• Private transfer by Air-conditioned round trip
• English speaking guide
• Pottery class in Bat Trang
• Entrance fees/Sightseeing fees
• Lunch (a bowl of noodle soup with beef or chicken)
• A bottled water

• Drinks during lunch
• Personal expenses
• Tips/Gratuities

1. Hanoi, with its millennium-old history, has managed to retain many ancient architectural creations like the Old Quarter, more than 600 shrines, and innumerable captivating sites and attractions.
2. The tour provides an opportunity to experience the best of Hanoi: Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Temples of Literature, and the Tran Quoc Pagoda.
3. It gives you an opportunity to explore the pottery village, join a pottery making class, and engage in practical sessions where you learn to make items.

• For further information and better support, please connect us via WhatsApp at +84-9-8-2-8-0-4-3-9-9
• Ho Chi Minh mausoleum opens only in morning time and closed weekly on Monday; Friday
• 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

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