Hanoi Highlights

• See where 'Uncle Ho' lived, worked, and declared national independence
• Wander ancient pagodas and French colonial buildings
• Explore the country's first university at the Temple of Literature
• Indulge in a pho lunch at a local restaurant
• Gain insight into cultural diversity at the Museum of Ethnology
• Experience traditional street life in Hanoi's old quarter

Dive in to the sights, sounds, and smells of our bustling city on our Hanoi city tour, a sure way to cross off some of the major Hanoi highlights.

Start your Hanoi tour with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex on the site where he declared Vietnam's independence in 1945, and see the reverence with which Vietnamese people treat their "Uncle Ho".

Other sites that we will visit on this Hanoi tour include:

• House 54 - Ho Chi Minh lived and worked here between 1954 and 1958 
• Stilt House - Ho Chi Minh moved from House 54 to the Stilt House in 1958, and worked and lived there until his death in 1969
• Presidential Palace - originally built by the French at the start of the 20th Century to house the French Governor-General of Indochina. Following his "Declaration of Independence" Ho Chi Minh refused to move into the building due to it's connection with the countries colonial past. 
• One Pillar Pagoda - a unique wooden structure originally built in 1049 by Emperor Ly Thai Thong of the Ly Dynasty. The current structure is a replica of the original.

Continuing on our Hanoi city tour we'll head to the Temple of Literature. Originally built in honour of Confucius by Emperor Ly Thanh Thong in 1070, a university was added to the grounds six years later. The university provided education to the royal family and children of the aristocracy or "mandarins".

The University remained here until Emperor Gia Long moved the country’s administrative capital from Hanoi to Hue at the end of the 18th century and start of the 19th century.

After our visit to the Temple of Literature, we head to a local restaurant for a delicious local lunch - "Pho" or Noodle Soup, a popular choice amongst locals and a dish that's gaining popularity abroad.

After lunch, we visit the Museum of Ethnology, to learn more about the cultural diversity of Vietnam's ethnic minorities. Established by the Vietnamese government in 1997, the museum provides us with a fascinating insight into the diverse cultures, customs, and lifestyles of the 54 ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam.

We finish our ultimate historical Hanoi tour with a wander through Hanoi's hectic old quarter. See how Hanoians live out their lives on the streets, sitting and eating together on the sidewalks and bartering for wares. Visit the Hang Be or Dong Xuan local markets before finishing at Bia Hoi corner where you can freshen up with a local beer (not included) and have the opportunity to swap stories with local people eager to practice their language skills.

At the end of our Hanoi city tour, you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel.