Guide and driver’s Proud Viet Nam will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi old quarter area or the meeting point.

Starting to explore unveiling the charms of Hanoi.

08h45: Our first destination is Ho Chi Minh Complex with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his house on stilt. This place was where Vietnamese great-father lived and worked until the last years of his life. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about Uncle Ho’s simple life and see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. 

Then visit One Pillar Pagoda – one of the 4 symbols of Hanoi culture. Built in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong according to his dream of Bodhisattva sitting on a lotus flower.

Notes: 

- Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, temples, pagodas, etc.

- Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. But still can take pictures of the Mausoleum and visit around that area.

- Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15th June -15th August) for the annual maintaining.

10h15: Continue to visit the interesting Vietnam Ethnology Museum, which offer you insight into about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.

Special Note: We will visit Vietnamese Women’s Museum instead of the Vietnam Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays.

12h30-12h45: Enjoy lunch with Vietnamese cuisine at the restaurant. Vegetarian foods are available.

13h30: Then, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda – the Buddhist center of Thang Long from the period in the Ly and Tran dynasties. It is considered as the most ancient pagoda in Thang Long- Hanoi with its historical progression in 1500 years.

14h30: Continue to visit the Temple of Literature, the first Royal National University in Vietnam. Built in the 11th century, it once honored outstanding scholars and the country's intellectual heritage. Here, you can gain insight into the history of education in Vietnam, spanning from 1000 years ago until recent history.

15h30: Keep going to visit Hoa Lo Prison- the largest prison in the Indochina region. It was built in 1896 and used to detain political prisoners or patriots of Tonkin and Annam. Now the prison is like a war museum for those who want to understand more about the war against France of Vietnamese people.

16h30: Our tour guide and driver will take you back to your Hotel. We finish the trip!

Optional: Cyclo or/and Water Puppet Show can be arranged upon your request with additional fee.

Option 1: Cyclo 45 minutes (5 usd/person) around Hanoi Old Quarter after visiting Hoa Lo Prison

Option 2: Water Puppet Show 50 minutes (5 usd/person) . 

Recommended time: 16h10 or 17h20

Option 3: Cyclo 45 minutes and Water Puppet Show 50 minutes (10usd/person). 

Recommended time for Water Puppet Show 17h20 or 18h30