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Tour Details

Hanoi Highlights

From: £24.03
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Duration: 9-10 hours

Category: Culture & History

Group size: 1 - 12

Dive into the sights, sounds and smells of Hanoi on this full-day adventure through Vietnam's modern capital. From the legendary Ho Chi Minh complex to the opulence of the Temple of Literature, discover the city's vivid, turbulent history and learn about Uncle Ho's legacy, which lives on in this enchanting city.

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,
  • Lunch at a local restaurant
  • Gain insight into cultural diversity at the Museum of Ethnology.
  • Experience traditional street life in Hanoi's old quarter
Pick up:
Pick up at centrally located hotels in Hanoi.
Drop off:
At the end of the trip you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel.
Included:
English speaking guide, Transport & Entrance fees as indicated, Meals: 1 lunch.
Not included:
Items of a personal nature, Tips or gratuities for drivers or guides.
Clothing:
Dress standards are conservative throughout Asia, especially outside major cities. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate.
Tipping:
If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides and drivers a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid Urban Adventures destinations. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour.

Tour Itinerary

Dive in to the sights, sounds and smells of our bustling city on our Hanoi sightseeing tour. With our local guide we start our trip 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 with our local guide 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 tour through the city we drive to the Temple of Literature. Originally built in honour of Confucious by Emperor Ly Thanh Thong in 1070, a university was added to the grounds six years later. The university provided educations to the royal family and children of the aristocracy or "mandarins".

The University remained here until Emperor Gia Long moved the countries administrative capital from Hanoi to Hue around 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 local lunch - "Pho" or Noodle Soup is a popular choice amongst locals.

After lunch visit the Museum of Ethnology, to learn more about the cultural diversity of Vietnams 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 Hanoi travelexperience with a walking tour of Hanoi's hectic old quarter. See how Hanoians live out their lives on the streets, sitting & eating together on the sidewalks and bartering for wares. Visit the local Hang Be or Dong Xuan local markets, before finishing with refreshments at a bia hoi where you have the opportunity to swap stories with local people eager to practise their language skills.

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

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Culture Shock Rating

We have a wide range of tours designed to give you an insight into the destination you're travelling in and there is something for everybody. The culture shock ratings considers the destination visited, transport used, activities undertaken and that "Wow, I'm really not at home now!" factor. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

20%

This is the least confronting of our tour range. Transport used on the trip is either private or a very comfortable public option, the activities included are usually iconic sites and locations that are not all too confronting.

40%

The tour can include a mix of private and public transport providing a level of comfort that is slightly below what you would experience at home. Sites visited are usually iconic sites, tours can also include market visits, visits to communities etc that provide the traveller with a fantastic insight into destination.

60%

Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether it's a packed public bus where you are forced to stand, a visit to a local market, a local community, you are sure to have an experience that is very different from what you're used to at home.

80%

The comforts of your home town and the environment you are used to are more of a rarity. Expect some challenging transport options, visits to local sites and areas that don't resemble anything at home.

100%

You're out there in the global community! You are likely to be exposed to the elements, travel in whatever means of transport is available and basically take it as it comes, whatever comes! It can be tough.

Physical Rating

Our physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

20%

These tours have very limited physical activity. Usually climbing in and out of the transport provided, walking through sites, markets etc included in the itinerary.

40%

These tours have a bit of physical activity but nothing that should challenge you too much. This could be climbing on and off public transport through to a walk through the destination you're travelling in, they can include walking only tours or a combination of walking and transport.

60%

These tours involve a bit of physical activity from walking up and down hills in the destination you're travelling in or the surrounding areas. Climbing on and off local transport or riding a bike up to 30 kms along predominantly flat terrain or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.

80%

These Tours will provide you with some solid physical activity. Whether its bike riding, walking, trekking, kayaking or riding on public transport you will need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this tour.

100%

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. These tours are our most challenging and involve some serious walking, hiking or bike riding. Can involve step climbs by foot or pedal and some challenging public transport options in the destination you are travelling.

Luxury Rating

Some trips are like a stroll on the beach, while others have you trekking alpine passes. Some of you thrive on camping out on the savannah, while others may prefer a hot shower and a comfortable bed in a lodge. Follow the grading systems below to find the right trip for you.

To help you choose the trip that's right for you, we've broken all of our trips down into four service levels. Measuring the comfort level of the accommodation and transport. So whether you're travelling on a budget and want to save money by using public transport, or prefer upgraded accommodation and are happy to pay a little more, then we have a level for you.

25%

This is grassroots travel at its most interesting

50%

Authentic experiences with some of the comforts of home

75%

For those who like to travel in comfort

100%

All the unique experiences wrapped up with a gold ribbon