Explore the charming city of Hanoi, often called the "Paris of the Orient", with its ochre-yellow colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and picturesque lakes.
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing marble and granite monument built to house the embalmed body of the beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known as "Uncle Ho" by the Vietnamese.
Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university, built in the late 11th century. This picturesque temple, a well-preserved example of traditional Vietnamese architecture, is featured on the back of the 100,000 dong note.
In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays), which houses a vast collection of traditional costumes and artifacts from Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority groups.
Back to downtown Hanoi for a stroll through the Old Quarter, famous for its "36 streets of 36 trades", whose names come from the ancient guilds of artisans dating back to the 13th century.
End the day with a water puppet show, a typically Vietnamese art form born in the flooded rice paddies of the Red River Delta. The colorful wooden puppets illustrate scenes of rural life and historical episodes, accompanied by traditional music.
Return to the hotel and free time.
Night in Hanoi.
NOTES:
- Suggested departure time: 8:00 AM
- Tour duration: 8 hours
- The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located