Hanoi City Experience Itinerary

Welcome to Vietnam’s exotic capital. Buzzing with motorbikes, rickshaws and beeping traffic, take it all in with a stroll along the city’s sweeping boulevards. Admire the women in cone-hats as they sidestep past, balancing lifesize lady-liberty-scales across their shoulders. Visit the site where Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945. Explore the Temple of Literature – originally built in honour of Confucius and now a university. A trip to the Museum of Ethnology in the afternoon is an excellent insight into the diverse cultures of the 54 ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam. Step back in time this evening on a walking tour of the Old Quarter.

Start the day with an early morning walk around the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, where legend has it that the Emperor Le Thai To was provided with a magical sword by the gods, which was soon snatched by a giant tortoise! Nowadays, there is less reptilian activity – it’s more of a spot to find residents working out in the early morning Hanoi sunshine. In fact, why not glide on over get Tai Chi’d with the locals? Slurp down some Pho and get kick-started with a delectable Vietnamese coffee before heading to a classic cooking class followed by a fiery feast!