See the highlights of Hanoi with a full-day tour of the city, jammed packed with culture, history and all the iconic landmarks. See the Uncle Ho’s resting place, the Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda – all must see landmarks. Then soak up the culture and history at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, an 11th century archaeological site, the famous Temple of Literature and tale a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, ending your day with a water puppet show.

Destinations included:
Ho Chi Minh mausoleum – Thang Long Citadel – Temple of Literature

Begin your day trip from Hanoi with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and hear about the man who led Vietnam’s campaign for independence from French colonial rule. After dedicating his life to the liberation of his country from foreign rule, Ho Chi Minh died in 1969 and his body was preserved for posterity. During the year, the mausoleum is closed for a month and Uncle Ho is given a bit of a spruce up! Then wander the grounds to see the One Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace. Next, visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the apex of regional political power for more than a millennium where research and excavation is still underway, and then head to another 11th century relic, the Temple of Literature, which was built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius.

In the afternoon, visit the Ngoc Son temple set on a tiny island on the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. You’ll hear how it got its name from a legend of an emperor, a magic sword and a giant turtle! Take a breezy cyclo ride through the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, named after the products that were sold from their shops. Today, vendors on Tin and Bamboo Streets still sell the same wares. End you day with a delightful water puppet show, a traditional art that is still being performed today.