Hanoi City Tour – Heritage & Hidden Gems

A full-day journey to discover Hanoi’s thousand-year-old heritage and authentic local life

• Duration: 7 hours (09:00 – 16:00)

• Tour type: Small group (maximum 8 guests) or fully private tour upon request

• Transportation: Private air-conditioned car and walking

• Guide: Professional English-speaking guide

Detailed Itinerary

09:00 | Hotel Pickup in the Old Quarter

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and introduce you to over 1,000 years of Hanoi’s history.

09:15 – 10:00 | Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

• Stroll around the iconic lake while hearing legends of the Turtle God and King Le Loi.

• Visit Ngoc Son Temple and the famous red The Huc Bridge, a symbol of East-West architectural harmony.

10:15 – 11:00 | St. Joseph’s Cathedral & Hanoi Old Quarter

• Explore the Gothic-style St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

• Wander bustling streets like Hang Gai, Hang Dao, and Hang Bac.

• Enjoy a cup of traditional egg coffee at a hidden local café.

11:15 – 12:15 | Temple of Literature

• Discover Vietnam’s first national university, established in 1070.

• Learn about Confucian education and the ancient Doctor’s Steles.

12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch at a Clean Restaurant with Authentic Vietnamese Dishes

• Savor your meal at a carefully selected restaurant known for excellent hygiene and efficient service.

• The diverse menu features specialties such as bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), spring rolls, grilled pork with rice, and seasonal vegetable soup, catering to international tastes.

• Relax in a comfortable, airy space with friendly service before continuing your journey.

13:45 – 15:00 | Presidential Palace, Ba Dinh Square, One Pillar Pagoda & Walking Tour Along West Lake

• Visit the Presidential Palace, the iconic yellow colonial building where Ho Chi Minh worked (Outside Visit)

• Explore Ba Dinh Square, the heart of Vietnam’s political life.

• Enjoy a leisurely walk along Phan Dinh Phung and Thanh Nien Streets:

  • Admire tree-lined boulevards and elegant French colonial villas

  • Observe everyday life unfolding along the sidewalks

  • Stop for photos by breezy West Lake and Truc Bach Lake

• Conclude this segment at Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest pagoda, dating back over 1,500 years.

15:15 – 16:00 | Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (or alternative museum)

• Discover the rich cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups through artifacts and reconstructed traditional houses.

• Gain deeper insights into the country’s diverse heritage.

16:00 | Tour Conclusion

Your guide will return you to your hotel and recommend evening activities, such as:

• A street food tour

• A traditional water puppet show

• Exploring the vibrant Ta Hien Beer Street

Highlights

✅ Seamlessly combines must-see landmarks with authentic local experiences

✅ Unique mix of driving and walking through the French Quarter and peaceful West Lake

✅ Includes traditional egg coffee and an authentic Vietnamese lunch

✅ Small group – personalized guiding – plenty of time for photos

Tour Includes

• Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day

• Professional English-speaking guide

• All entrance fees to mentioned sites

• Traditional egg coffee at a local café

• Vietnamese lunch (fixed menu)

• One bottle of drinking water per guest

Tour Excludes

• Personal expenses and extra drinks

• Tips for guide (recommended: $3–5 per guest)

• Any services not clearly mentioned under “Tour Includes”