01 Day - CITY TOUR OF HANOI

HANOI - CITY OF OVER 1000 YEARS ( 1010 - 2010 )
For nearly 800 years Hanoi was the home of various royal dynasties until Hue became the new imperial capital in 1802. With the coming of the French at the end of the 19th century the city gained a new lease of life. This European influence can still be seen in the elegant colonial buildings that line the broad tree-lined boulevards of much of the city. Today the capital has a population approaching 4 million people; yet it still has the feeling of a small town, particularly in and around the Old Quarter. This privately guided full day tour takes you to selected highlights that this beautiful, romantic city has to offer

Program in details:
The tour is split into a morning and afternoon schedule, with a delicious lunch at one of Hanoi's finest restaurants in between.

AM
• Ho Chi Minh Complex: Completed in 1975 the complex contains Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh museum.

• The Temple of Literature: Originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. Inside are the stone stele mounted on the backs of turtles, inscribed with the names of the university’s graduates. The complex is divided into five courtyards with different paths that would originally have been reserved for the Emperor and his mandarins. One of the courtyards contains the statue of Confucius guarded by two beautiful bronze storks standing on turtles. The temple highlights the importance influence that Vietnamese society has placed on education.

Lunch at Hanoi’s finest restautant

PM
• Museum of Ethnology: This museum is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the grounds.

• Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake: The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake, its history dating back to the 13th century. The temple is reached by crossing the Huc Bridge which literally means the ‘Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams’. The Hoan Kiem Lake is the local point of the city and the source of many legends. One legend has it that in the 15th century Emperor Le Thai To vanquished the invading Chinese with the help of a magical sword. Whilst rowing on the lake an enormous turtle seized the sword from his grasp. The Emperor took this to mean that peace had returned and the sword had been given back to its guardian spirit. In honour of the event he renamed the lake ‘Ho Hoan Kiem’ – Lake of the Restored Sword.

• One hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter - a must for any visitor to Hanoi! A cyclo (pronounced see-clo) is a Vietnamese version of a cycle rickshaw, originally used as the main form of transportation in Vietnam, it has now been overtaken by motorbikes, but still very much remains at the heart of Vietnamese culture. Sit back and relax as you witness the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life from the comfort of your arm chair! The Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets, is a bustling area of narrow streets home to literally thousands of small businesses, shopkeepers and street vendors, selling everything from bananas to books. Originally each of the 36 streets names’ was related to the products being sold there. Hence you can walk from Fish Street to Tin Street to Bamboo Street. It’s a great place to explore and the slow pace of a cyclo will enable numerous photo opportunities. At approximately 6pm we will return you to your hotel.

Special offer: Please contact us at [email protected]

Trip price includes:
• Lunch at local restaurant
• English speaking guide
• Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle
• Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time

Trip price excludes:
• Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
• Visas fee and airport departure tax
• Services, meals and drinks other not mentioned in itinerary
• Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature
• Tips and gratuities

Joining instructions:
You will be collected from your hotel. Pick up time will be advised upon confirmation of booking.

Transport:
Air conditioned bus, cyclo

What to take:
We suggest a small, lightweight daypack for cameras and drinking water etc.

Opening Times:
Ho Chi Minh Mosoleum is closed from 1st October 2008 to 30 November 2008 for conservation.
Please note that the HCM  Mosoleum is closed on Fridays and Mondays and most museums are closed on Mondays.

Creating Unique Touring Experiences:
All the touring itineraries on this website have been carefully crafted by our in-country management teams and represent a series of experiences we can certainly recommend. However, we understand that every travel experience should be as unique and individual as each traveler. Our consultants are waiting to hear from you so that we can tailor or custom design a Vietnam tour to your individual specifications.