Private Crowd Free Hanoi: Morning Highlights of the City Experience
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Hanoi, Vietnam
- 4 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Follow in the footsteps of one of Vietnam’s most famous historic men, Ho Chi Minh ( first president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam), as you explore the streets of Hanoi on this private tour. Pay a visit to the Temple of Literature and the notorious "Hanoi Hilton" (Hoa Loa Prison). Then, follow your guide on a walking tour of the Old-Quarter and enjoy the inside knowledge that comes from being led by a local.
- Eat lunch like the locals do and taste traditional pho (noodle soup)
- Visit the Temple of Literature and the infamous Hoa Loa Prison
- Traveling in a private group allows for a unique and intimate experience
- This tour is carbon neutral and operated by a B Corp-certified company committed to using travel as a force for good
What's Included
- Explore the 1,000-year-old university at the Temple of Literature (Entrance Ticket Included)
- Visit the so-called “Hanoi Hilton” – the infamous Hoa Lo Prison (Entrance Ticket Included)
- Visit Ngoc Son Temple and experience the spiritual harmony (Entrance Ticket Included)
- Stop for lunch for a traditional bowl of Pho
- Marvel the largest and oldest church in Hanoi - St Joseph’s Cathedral
- Visit traditional teahouse to taste some tea with a green bean cake
- Enjoy Pick up at centrally located hotel in Hanoi and 1 way transportation
- Join Friendly Local English speaking guide
- Get tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay
- Gratuities
- Additional food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Pick up at centrally located hotels in Hanoi
Operating hours.8:00 am
Itinerary
Kick things off with a visit to the famous Temple of Literature, which was built by King Ly Thai Thong in 1070 to honor the late Confucius. A university was later added to the original grounds, where children of local aristocrats were educated.
Experience service at a traditional teahouse, where you’ll sample flavored green teas grown in the hills of Vietnam. Listen to thousand-year-old stories and learn about the significance of this drink on local cultures and traditions. Snack on sweetened lotus seeds and green bean cakes as you relax with fellow travelers.
Pay a visit to the Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed "Hanoi Hilton" by American pilots during the Vietnam War. This notorious prison was used by French Colonists for political prisoners until the mid-1950s. Your expert guide will share stories and history as you tour the grounds.
After learning about the horrors of war, take in the beauty of St Joseph’s Cathedral—the largest church in Hanoi. Built in 1886, this stunning structure has been compared to Notre Dame in Paris. Once you’ve explored the interior, follow your guide to Hoan Kiem Lake where you’ll get an up close look at The Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son temple. Continue to explore the area on your own, or ask your guide for assistance getting a taxi back to your hotel after this cultural tour of Hanoi.
Experience service at a traditional teahouse, where you’ll sample flavored green teas grown in the hills of Vietnam. Listen to thousand-year-old stories and learn about the significance of this drink on local cultures and traditions. Snack on sweetened lotus seeds and green bean cakes as you relax with fellow travelers.
Pay a visit to the Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed "Hanoi Hilton" by American pilots during the Vietnam War. This notorious prison was used by French Colonists for political prisoners until the mid-1950s. Your expert guide will share stories and history as you tour the grounds.
After learning about the horrors of war, take in the beauty of St Joseph’s Cathedral—the largest church in Hanoi. Built in 1886, this stunning structure has been compared to Notre Dame in Paris. Once you’ve explored the interior, follow your guide to Hoan Kiem Lake where you’ll get an up close look at The Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son temple. Continue to explore the area on your own, or ask your guide for assistance getting a taxi back to your hotel after this cultural tour of Hanoi.
1
Temple of Literature & National University
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Hiên Trà Trường Xuân
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Hoa Lo Prison
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
St. Joseph's Cathedral
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Cầu Thê Húc
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Hoan Kiem Walking Street
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour
- For this tour, we can cater for the following dietary requirements: vegetarians, lactose intolerance and gluten-free (but not gluten sensitiveness). Please provide this information at least 24-hours prior to your travel date. Unfortunately, we are not able to cater for any other dietary requirements that are not listed above.
- Please note that this tour covers 1.5 km (1 mile) of walking.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 126 reviews
LIONEL_H, Sep 2022
Chinh was really lovely. He took us to some temples, tea houses, museum, local food places and also to a beautiful local shop. He explained the history of the places and it was really heart breaking to hear about the history of the places but so happy to see how much they have grown. The food places he brought us to was so yummy. We had many wonderful conversations on philosophy and the way of life. It was definitely a recommended and memorable experience
Raymond_N, Aug 2022
This was a very great experience! Our tour guide, San, was super smart and really catered to our pace.
Kylie A, Aug 2019
Mike was great. Very friendly and knowledgeable. He even accommodated my vegan diet for lunch. Would definitely recommend.
SiewLi_C, Aug 2018
A young llady tour guide called her as Tham is friendly and informative, visited few historical places. Brought us to taste local foods and have a tea at a local restaurant. Places visited are around city area. Is a lovely and enjoyable tour.
Piyali_D, Jun 2018
Small group tour in a comfortable bus with a good guide, eager to answer questions and knowledgeable. Great way to experience Hanoi which at times can be overwhelming.
TzeTze_L, Mar 2018
Waste of money. Do this one yourself!
We had a temperamental tour guide who got annoyed when we didn't remember historical facts she'd told us. We didn't get to try the lotus seed cake which was mentioned in the tour. Note that lunch included means only food. You have to buy your own drinks.
david n, Mar 2018
This was a very informative tour, guide was excellent. Prison tour was good as was lunch and tea.
Michael T, Jan 2018
Tham was our tour guide again for this tour. As in the previous walking city and food tour, she continued her excellent presentation. There was just myself and another tourist from England. The small group was prefect. She was knowledgeable in the historical facts and the tea presentation was fun!
Lilly, Dec 2017
This tour was quite wonderful. It was a very quick synopsis of some of Hanoi's main highlights. Learning the Vietnamese tea drinking ritual and eating pho at family run restaurant were the particular highlights. Our guide was pretty funny and nice.
christineshaw.313, Dec 2017
Wong our guide was lovely, and a very interesting sense of humour, showed us all the sights as detailed and we had lunch in a little side restaurant that you would never venture into by yourself, but lovely food and every now and then a moto would wizz past behind your table. Was a really great day.
dj10187, Dec 2017
Our tour guide, Tham, was fun and knowledgeable she took her time to answer our questions. I would highly recommend this if you want to know more about Hanoi and its history. The tea break and lunch were excellent. Great job!
Stephen B, Oct 2017
The tour was very informative and our guide was knowledgeable. The lunch was very primitive. The only other concern was about the timing. Everything just seemed rushed.
Cristie_M, Sep 2017
This was an interesting tour! We really like going to the temples and learning about the perspectives of the Vietnamese and what they honor. The lunch at the local establishment was GREAT - beef pho! It was better than any we had the entire time we stayed in Vietnam and we were there for 10 days! The only thing I didn't like is having to travel around for such a long time at the beginning to pick up all of th people on the tour. That took about an hour or a little more. The starting and stopping made me a little car sick. Also, in waiting in the VERY long line to see Ho Chi Minh, that was a bit of a bummer because it was sooooo hot! But , I don't fault the tour company for either of these things. They do a great job so they have lots of return visitors and Ho Chi Minh's mausoluem is a favorite tour spot and well worth the wait, but it was hot! Whew! Make sure you always have a hat, good walking shoes and comfortable clothing and a shaw for the temples. All things I learned while on the tour.
Joe L, Jul 2017
The guide's personality made the trip! He was knowledgeable and entertaining. The pho lunch included was delicious and the tea house was enjoyable. It was an afternoon well spent.
Susan A, Apr 2017
Fantastic tour with a simply outstanding guide.....Mr Cuong. WOW. We absolutely loved our morning together, it was a highlight of our Hanoi stay. Collected from our hotel lobby promptly in a comfy 16 seater, there were 5 of us altogether..and Mr Cuong kept us entertained and informed every step of the way with such interesting ongoing information and anecdotes and his fabulous humour. Visited the spectacular Temple of Literature, enjoyed a wonderful Tea Ceremony altogether with rare lotus tea, then a real highlight...a well guided visit to the 'Hanoi Hilton, the prison, just amazing .After a brief stop at the Cathedral, we enjoyed a walk along the gorgeous Hoan Kiem Lake which was followed by lunch, delicious 'beef pho' and then over the beautiful red bridge to a stunning temple and for glorious views. Then before it was time to say goodbye Coung sat with us providing us all with individual information and maps of special Hanoi places to visit Egg Coffee!!! with directions etc. We were sad to say goodbye to him and end the tour! He was wonderful, we are so happy to have met him and he does his company, Urban Adventures proud, he is a fine young man. We highly recommend this tour it covers important spots in Hanoi and with luck one could get Mr Cuong as a guide! Thank you so much Urban Adventures and Mr Cuong.
Susan T, Apr 2017
Not quite as itinerary stated but never the less great tour.
Elisabetta V, May 2016
Hong Anh was our guide. Extremely knowledgeable, cordial and eager to show the history of her native Vietnam. Beside the sites, which were simply amazing, we had a delicious lunch at a place where locals eat, followed by tea at a tea house where Anh proceeded to show us the proper way to serve and drink tea. Her English was very good as well.
Jim H, Apr 2016
Good whistle stop tour around Hanoi - with experienced local guide. Although the tour is only half a day it did not feel rushed and the guide Anh was excellent
kevin m, Mar 2016
there were only two us on this tour which made it a bit more personal , are guide arrived on time , and gave us a tour of the old quarter of Hanoi , pointing out some interesting buildings and telling us about the history of Hanoi .
the tour took us to the temple of literature which was very interesting, then onto the infamous Hanoi Hilton , the tour concluded with lunch at a small local cafe .
i would recommend doing this tour while in Hanoi
Alexandra L, Jan 2016
This tour was a brilliant way to see Hanoi and it's main sites as well as learn about the city and talk to a local guide about their beautiful country.
You are rushed through a little bit, but you can always revisit any sites yourself and the guide always had a lot of information.
Alwaleed A, Dec 2015
Trip was informative and fun. we enjoyed walking in the city and visiting all temples and museums. The food was so good :
Matthew H, Nov 2015
Was a fun time for sure. The guide's english was good but not great, so didn't get as much detail as I wanted. Still a fun tour.
Maureen M, Nov 2015
Enjoyed this tour. Guide was knowledgeable and Hanoi Hilton prison was worth visiting.
Natalia L, Nov 2015
I expected to visit Ho Chi Minh museum based on the tour front page photo.
It was nothing about Ho Chi Minh. I found the advertisement misleading.
ANTHONY DAVID B, Oct 2015
Mr. Lee was how we addressed our tour guide who was very knowledgeable in topics relating to this tour. At the end, we had a good pho which was unassuming and really delightful. He went out of his way to show us where to buy local fruits despite the tour has ended.
Good person.
Doreenda, Sep 2015
Our guide was very knowledgeable and answered all of the questions we threw his way. The Pho we ate, too, was amazing!
C J F, Apr 2015
This was our second tour with Taylor and he is a very good English speaking Vietnamese guide who obviously loves his Hanoi. His enthusiasm for the place is infectious and he does not rush you through anything and allowed time for questions and to stop longer at places if you wish. Each tour we did ended over the stated time with him going the extra mile so we reckon we got good value. I would recommend either this tour or the night food tour early in your stay in Hanoi to get a reasonable understanding of the history and culture of the city.
Natalie K, Jan 2015
The guide was excellent in his historical and cultural information, conduct, hospitality in taking guests to local Pho bo eatery. Could not recommend him highly enough- thanks Cong. The behaviour conduct and what could be taken in (rules) were quite strict at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and a little confusing but Cong navigated us through. We had a nice and friendly group of Aussies and a Brit lady. Would recommend to others.
DONALD C, Nov 2014
Guide was very knowledgeable and informative. Authentic Vietnamese lunch was good. If it looks like it'll rain, bring an umbrella or raincoat as tour involves walking a bit out in the open.
Nancy O, Nov 2014
Very good, included attractions not walking distance from old quarter, good craft store stop and very good guide
From $95.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Private Crowd Free Hanoi: Morning Highlights of the City Experience
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