View AllThis premium private full-day Hanoi City Tour is specially designed as the most wonderful and seamless experience for Mondays and Fridays when the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed. With your own dedicated guide and private vehicle, you will enjoy a relaxed pace, deeper insights, and the perfect balance between iconic historical landmarks and the vibrant living culture of Hanoi.
Private Pickup: Flexible between 08:00 – 09:00 AM directly at your hotel (within 10 km radius of Hoan Kiem Lake).
09:15 – 10:00: Start your day at Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple (6th century) located on a picturesque island in tranquil West Lake. Admire its elegant multi-tiered architecture, ancient relics, and peaceful surroundings.
10:15 – 11:30: Continue to the beautiful Ho Chi Minh Complex. Explore the iconic One Pillar Pagoda – one of the most unique architectural wonders in the world – along with the humble stilt houses where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked, and the lovely gardens of Ba Dinh Square.
12:00 – 13:00: Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch featuring fresh local ingredients and a variety of traditional dishes at a reputable restaurant chosen for its quality and atmosphere.
13:45 – 15:00: Visit Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam), Vietnam’s first university founded in 1070. Stroll through its serene courtyards, ancient pavilions, and the famous “Well of Heavenly Clarity” while learning about Vietnam’s rich educational and Confucian heritage.
15:15 – 16:15: Tour Hoa Lo Prison, a profoundly moving historical site originally built by French colonists and later used during the Vietnam War. Known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton,” it offers powerful insights into Vietnam’s struggle for independence.
16:30 – 18:00: End your day with an unforgettable immersion in the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the lively 36 ancient streets, experience a traditional cyclo ride, and visit Ngoc Son Temple on the jewel-like island in the lake – the true soul of Hanoi.
Private drop-off: Flexible between 16:30 – 18:00 at your hotel. Tour concludes.
Professional English-speaking guide
Delicious Vietnamese lunch at local restaurant (vegetarian options available)
Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
All entrance fees to listed attractions
Traditional cyclo ride in the Old Quarter
Mineral water (1-2 bottles per person)
Drinks and additional beverages
Tips and personal expenses
Travel insurance
Any other services not mentioned
As this is a Private Tour only, our dedicated English-speaking guide and private vehicle will pick you up directly at your hotel within a 10 km radius of Hoan Kiem Lake.
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes
Sun hat / cap
Camera
Sunscreen
Modest clothing suitable for temples and cultural sites
Not allowed
Shorts, short skirts, tank tops or revealing clothing at religious and historical sites
Know before you go
This Private Full Day City Tour is specially created as the perfect alternative for Mondays and Fridays when the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed.
The itinerary is flexible and can be gently adjusted according to your interests, energy, and pace.
All sites included in this tour are open on Mondays and Fridays.
The tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels with moderate walking.
If you are traveling with friends on separate bookings, please share your booking details with us at least 24 hours in advance so we can coordinate accordingly.
