This small group fully guided day tour takes you to selected highlights that this beautiful, romantic city has to offer. You will go to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology, Ngoc Son Temple and enjoy an hours cyclo tour around the old quarter. Lunch will be served at one of Hanoi's finest restaurants.

Hanoi’s history dates back almost a thousand years. During that time it has witnessed numerous incursions from China, seen a host of Vietnamese emperors come and go and at one time even lose its status as the nation’s capital. The city’s temples and pagodas and the religious practices performed reflect a strong Chinese influence. 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.

Please note that the HCM  Masoleum is closed on Fridays and Mondays and most museums are closed on Mondays.

The tour is split into a morning and afternoon schedule, with a delicious lunch at one of Hano'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

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.

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 Masoleum is closed from 1st October 2007 to 30 November 2007 for conservation.

The Museum of Ethnology (and most others) is closed on Mondays

“We just completed a one day tour of Hanoi with Tour Guide Tin and driver Dai. We have had many guides over the years but Tin was our favorite.  He was most knowledgeable about the culture, history, present day and any questions we had about Vietnam.  He opened the car door for us at all times, helped with stairs, crossing streets, ordering food in cafe and making decisions with our shopping.  He was flexible when we decided we wanted to see another sight. We felt safe at all times with him as well as the driver Dai. We highly recommend Tin as a guide. He is truly an asset to your organization.”

Florin Wolfer and  Claire Scott
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

"Buffalo Tours has been a great tour.  Our guide has gotten to know us very well and we enjoy spending time with him."

Nicole Bow, Australia and Ashley Pincott, Canada