Wake up in the historic heart of Hanoi and enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Today, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Vietnamese culture and history on a full-day guided group tour of the capital’s most iconic sites.
08:00–08:30: Meet your friendly local guide in the hotel lobby and begin your journey through Hanoi’s living history.
08:45: Your first stop is the tranquil Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, gracefully set on Golden Fish Islet in West Lake. Dating back to the 6th century, this serene site offers a peaceful start to the day.
09:30: Continue to the sacred Ho Chi Minh Complex. Here, you may have the rare opportunity to view the embalmed body of Vietnam’s beloved leader at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (subject to opening hours). Afterwards, stroll through the surrounding gardens to see the two stilt houses where he lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. The tour also includes a visit to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a symbol of purity and compassion, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy.
Please note: Visitors should dress respectfully — covering shoulders and knees — when entering sacred sites such as the Mausoleum, temples, and pagodas. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays and undergoes annual maintenance from 15 June to 15 August, during which external photography is permitted, and visits to the surrounding complex continue as usual.
11:15: Visit the fascinating Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which offers an insightful look into the cultures and traditions of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.
Special Note: On Mondays, when the Ethnology Museum is closed, the itinerary will instead include the highly praised Vietnamese Women's Museum, a compelling tribute to the women who shaped the nation’s history and culture.
12:45: Enjoy a flavoursome Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant, featuring a curated menu of 8 authentic dishes — a delicious introduction to the country's celebrated culinary traditions.
14:00–14:15: Visit the revered Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university founded in the 11th century. This well-preserved sanctuary of Confucian learning offers stunning examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture and spiritual legacy.
15:15: Step into the sobering history of the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, once a colonial-era prison and later known to American POWs as the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” Discover its powerful narratives from the French colonial period to the Vietnam War.
16:15–16:30: After an enriching day, return to your hotel to relax and reflect on the sights and stories of the capital.
Overnight in Hanoi, where sacred temples, colonial legacies, and powerful wartime stories linger in the air — a city of memory and movement that leaves a lasting imprint on every traveller.