Cultural Hanoi tour

THROUGH CULTURAL HANOI TOUR, YOU WILL DISCOVER

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi – City tour (D)

Welcome to Hanoi, capital city of Vietnam. After check in the hotel and a quick refreshment, depart for the city tour discovering Hanoi, the first visit of the day begins at the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam. Over the past 1,000 years, through the ups and downs of time and history, the relics still retain the architecture of the Le Dynasty in 15th century and the Nguyen Dynasty, the 19th century.

Visit the Ho Chi Minh complex which includes visiting exterior of the solemn mausoleum of the historic founding father of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh. The nearby is Ho Chi Minh’s wooden house on stilts, where he lived from 1958 to 1969. Continue to The One Pillar Pagoda, founded in 1049 and represents a Lotus flower a symbolic of Buddhism.

Walk leisurely along picturesque West Lake to the 6th century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda then stroll along the lake shore to the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh.

During the afternoon, visit the Ethnology Museum (closed on Mondays), this fascinating place offers a glimpse of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities. For alternative, visit the Vietnam Women’s Museum to learn all about the important roles of Vietnamese women in history and society of the country.

Continue to visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter with a walking tour through vibrant Hang Be market and around Hoan Kiem lake. Enjoy getting lost in these narrow streets and alleyways where considered as paradise of small family businesses and shopkeepers.

Dinner of traditional Vietnamese cuisine is in a fine restaurant in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 : Hanoi – Duong Lam Village – Tay Phuong Pagoda (B, L)

After breakfast, depart on a scenic road transfer to Duong Lam village, a merely agricultural village in the Red River delta, home to many ancient houses and pagodas of 100 to over 300 years.

On arrival in the destination, visit the Mong Phu temple in Mong Phu commune and enjoy traditional atmosphere in the old laterite houses and alleyways that make this community so unique and charming. Lunch with traditional food is served in one of the 300-year-old houses.

Continue walking on the ancient bricks paved road to Mia Pagoda, this pagoda is well known for its 15th century architecture and consisting of 287 statues of Buddha of three type bronze, wood and clay. Pay visits to Ngo Quyen temple and Phung Hung temple which are dedicated to two ancient national heroic kings of Vietnam. Leaving Duong Lam, on the way back to Hanoi, visit the Tay Phuong pagoda to admire wood carving for decorative patterns on the roof. Interior of the pagoda, admire some of the most beautifully carved statues. The Buddha statues here are the national treasure of Vietnam.

Return to Hanoi and evening is free time for own leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3 : Hanoi – Discover local culture (B, L)

After tasty breakfast, get picked up from the hotel by your guide and ride through the suburbs of Hanoi. Become immersed in Vietnamese culture in this authentic village, still undiscovered by many tourists except you. Begin the tour with a visit to the local market to see strange and fascinating goods displaying for sale, fresh fruit, and vegetables local products. Sip a coffee for a short break by a beautiful pagoda, where monks are chanting in wooden gong melody.

Continue on car to meet Mr. Phan Thanh Liem and visit his great work. His house is located in a deep zigzag alleyway of Hanoi and after a warm welcome with tea and traditional candy, open the workshop door to be amazed seeing the great collection of traditional water puppets. Explore the workshop, the floor jammed with wooden puppet parts such as dragon heads and puppets in all shapes, sizes and colors. Listen to Mr. Liem about his traditional family handicraft handed down from seven generations earlier.

Enjoy an intimate 30-minute performance with ancient story and modern themes about Vietnamese life in Mr. Liem’s home stage which is on the top roof floor of his house, a sky water puppet experience. After the play, roll up your sleeves and put hand in practice controlling a dragon puppet to get insights of the traditional artful crafts that makes this art form so unique. This is really second to none of the same type.

Return to the hotel for relaxing the night or exploring the city’s nightlife.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4 : Hanoi in the early morning (B)

Rise up early in the morning to catch the first sun ray, at 05:30, meet your local guide and drive to Long Bien market to witness Hanoi waking up at the market. Long Bien market is the biggest fruit wholesale market in North of Vietnam.

After the market, stop by the lake for a bowl of Pho Ga or Pho Bo. Strolling around Hoan Kiem lake the heart of Hanoi, watching groups of Hanoians doing their morning exercise like Tai Chi, aerobic or martial arts with the peaceful tranquility that won’t exist when the Hanoi’s chaotic traffic starting.

Join in with locals for some simple Tai Chi lessons to discover the secret of slow movements of this popular martial art under the guidance of a local Tai Chi guru.

Enjoy some Vietnamese coffee at a local coffee shop before heading back to the hotel for relaxation.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 5 : Departure (B)

The last day is free to spend at leisure before taking transfer to the airport.

You might be interested in our Cat Tien national park discovery, otherwise look for other interesting options in our Vietnam excursion travel style!