VietNam Explore Tour

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Jewels of Indochina - 19 days. Tour Code: VCT01
Signatures of Indochina - 21 days. Tour Code: VCT02
Treasures of Indochina - 16 days. Tour Code: VCT03
South Vietnam & Cambodia Extension - 9 days. Tour Code: VCT04
Vietnam & Angkor Family - 16 days. Tour Code: VCT05

Vietnam & Laos Explorer - 18 days. Tour Code: VLT01

Great Indochina Loop - 16 days. Tour Code: VIT01

Hanoi - Capital of Vietnam Vietnam’s capital city - Hanoi has to be one of Asia’s most fascinating cities offering a unique blend of oriental and western charm. Hanoi is Vietnam's cultural center, and the galleries, puppetry, music, and dance performances are worth staying at least a few days to take in. It is a city of exotic brightly painted temples and pagodas, elegant ochre-washed colonial villas, bustling narrow streets and alleys, grand tree-lined boulevards and shaded lakes. First established as Vietnam’s capital in 1010, when it was known as Thang Long, the city’s name changed several times before it eventually became Hanoi in 1831. Located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart, Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Ha Noi has been on the road to development in recent times. Ha Noi is regarded as the cultural capital of Viet Nam, absorbing traits of the various dynasties that ruled this land. The cultural and historic remains are huge attractions for tourists and locales alike. Sightseeing in Ha Noi is a major attraction for tourists thronging the city in droves. Hanoi ranks among the world's most attractive and interesting cities. You can catch amazing sights of the ancient buildings rich in history and culture on sightseeing tours in Hanoi. Places of interest Hoan Kiem Lake Hoan Kiem Lake, or the Lake of the Restored Sword, is located directly in the centre of Hanoi. The name is derived from a legend involving Emperor Le Thai To, in which he came across a giant tortoise while cruising on the lake. The tortoise took his sword that had secured victory against the Chinese aggressors of the Minh Dynasty. The emperor named the lake after this episode. Every morning, the surrounding park fills with locals who arrive to exercise and play badminton. By the way, there still are a few tortoises who call this area home. Hoa Lo Prison Hoa Lo was constructed by the French in the 19th century and was the "home" of many unlucky Vietnamese revolutionary. Hoa Lo was constructed by the French in the 19th century and was the "home" of many unlucky Vietnamese revolutionary. Some of them were beheaded by the Guillotine still on display. At its peak the prison held up to 2'000 prisoners, up from 200 prisoners in the beginning! A few famous outbreaks and the notorious cruelty of the guards made it infamous in Vietnam and made some of the inmates revolutionary heroes. But the prison became really famous when the Vietnamese started to use it for locking-up American and French fighter pilots being shot-down in the Vietnam War. It's most famous inmate was John McCain, now senator in the USA and probable candidate for the 2008 presidential elections. One Pillar Pagoda The original name of the pagoda was Dien Huu pagoda which literally means long lasting happiness and good luck. The pagoda is situated in the western part of the city. It was first built in 1049 in the reign of King Ly Thai Tong. Legend has it that at time King Ly Thai Tong was very old and had no sons of his own. One night he had a dream that he was granted a private audience with Buddha with a male baby on his hands. Buddha seating on a lotus flower in a square-shaped lotus pond in the western side of Thang Long Citadel, gave the king the baby. Month later the queen got pregnant and she gave birth to a male. To repay the gift from Buddha, the king ordered the construction of a pagoda with was supported by only one pillar resembling a lotus seat on which Buddha had been seated. The pagoda was dedicated to Buddha. Temple of Literature- Quoc Tu Giam The temple of Literature (Van Mieu) is a famous ancient monument consisting of the Temple of Literature and Vietnam's first university. The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 in honor of Confucius. Six years later, Quoc Tu Giam, the first university of Vietnam, was on the premises of Van Mieu. It was the first educational school for royal family members, and it was later opened to talented students. In 1482 Emperor Le Thanh Tong ordered the erection of stela with inscriptions of the names, places of birth, and achievements of graduates who had taken examinations since 1442. At present there remain 82 steles standing in the premises of Van Mieu. Each stele is placed on the back of a turtle representing the nation's longevity. Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum The mausoleum project was the results of artistic labor of both Vietnamese and former Soviet Union scientists in respect for President Ho Chi Minh. Ho Chi Minh City in the south may have his name, but only Hanoi has the man himself, embalmed and dressed in distinctly Lenin-esque fashion. No talking, short pants, or other signs of disrespect are allowed while viewing; photos of the large concrete-and-granite structure are permitted only from outside, in the grand Ba Dinh Square. Ho Chi Minh Museum The museum displays relics about the life and work of President Ho Chi Minh, a cultural figure and hero of the national liberation movement (1890-1969). The museum was inaugurated on May 19, 1990, the anniversary of the Centenary Birthday of President Ho Chi Minh. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic minorities, and this museum sheds light on their history and culture. In back of the museum are re-constructions of traditional village homes. Old quarters It is here in the Old Quarter that Hanoi began life as a commercial centre over a thousand years ago. The original 36 streets that make up the Old Quarter are named after the goods once sold there such as silk, paper, silver, copper, herbs, cotton, fish and chicken. Nowadays the goods on sale are more likely to be t-shirts, sunglasses or embroidered table cloths but step back from the main streets and you will still find shops specializing in candlesticks, pagoda flags, engraved headstones and traditional musical instruments amongst others. Hoan Kiem Lake Hoan Kiem Lake is the heart of Hanoi. In the morning, residents converge to jog around its tree-lined shores or perform mesmerizing "Tai Chi". In the evening people once again gather in the lakeside cafes to chat about the day's events. Hoan Kiem Lake has a colorful history. In the 15th century Emperor Le Thai To vanquished the invading Chinese with the help of a magical sword. Legend has it that whilst rowing on the lake an enormous turtle seized the sword from his grasp. The Emperor took this as a sign of divine intervention and that peace had been restored. In honor of the event he renamed the lake ‘Ho Hoan Kiem’ – Lake of the Restored Sword. Ancient House: 87 Ma May St. Built over 110 years ago, this house is one of the two ancient homes in Hanoi's Old Quarter, which were carefully restored as part of Hanoi's 990th Anniversary in 2000. The house is a typical Old Quarter "tube house" 2 meters wide and 60 meters long with open yards between rooms for air and light. The house is arranged strictly in accordance with "Feng Shui" rules and is vividly decorated in a traditional style. Ancient House: 38 Hang Dao St. This house, built on the foundations of a 17th century trader's home has been renovated to reflect the architecture and decorative styles of old Hanoi. The first floor is designed for trading purposes and living accommodation, the second for the family altar and the act of worshipping. Hanoi Opera House The Hanoi Opera House is one of Hanoi's grandest buildings. The exterior is a delightful mix of French neo-classical design with shuttered windows, wrought iron balconies and tiles friezes. Construction of the Hanoi Opera House began in 1901 and was completed in 1911. Water Puppet Show Water puppetry is a remarkable Vietnamese art form combining traditional music, fireworks and elaborate puppets floating gracefully on the water. The stories depict Vietnamese legends, peasant life and local festivals. The art form dates back to the 10th century and originally these plays would have taken place on lakes and ponds during the monsoon season. The stories remain the same but now the production takes place in a specially designed theatre with a stage knee-deep in water. The puppeteers are hidden behind a bamboo screen and the whole experience is both entertaining and amusing. Ngoc Son Pagoda Ngoc Son Pagoda stands in Hoan Kiem Lake. The pagoda was built in honor of Saint Van Suong - the spirit of literature and wisdom and Tran Hung Dao, one of Vietnam's most famous generals. Surrounded by water and shaded by trees, this 19th century temple is a delightful place to escape the bustle of Hanoi. Quán Thánh Temple Quán Thánh Temple was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010 - 1028). The temple honors Saint Tran Vu, a legendary figure who helped King An Duong Vuong chase away demons during the construction of Co Loa Citadel. The central feature of the temple is a giant, black, bronze statue of Tran Vu cast in 1667. Tran Quoc Pagoda With origins dating back to the 6th century Tran Quoc is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. The pagoda's unique design features a visitor hall, two corridors and a bell tower. Inside are numerous statues, the most notable of which is the wooden statue of the Shakyamuri Buddha. The oldest stele was built in 1639 and depicts the pagoda's history. Several burial stupas in the garden are relics of one of the earliest Zen Buddhist groups in North Vietnam.

Hanoi - Capital of Vietnam

Vietnam’s capital city - Hanoi has to be one of Asia’s most fascinating cities offering a unique blend of oriental and western charm. Hanoi is Vietnam's cultural center, and the galleries, puppetry, music, and dance performances are worth staying at least a few days to take in. It is a city of exotic brightly painted temples and pagodas, elegant ochre-washed colonial villas, bustling narrow streets and alleys, grand tree-lined boulevards and shaded lakes. First established as Vietnam’s capital in 1010, when it was known as Thang Long, the city’s name changed several times before it eventually became Hanoi in 1831.

Located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart, Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Ha Noi has been on the road to development in recent times. Ha Noi is regarded as the cultural capital of Viet Nam, absorbing traits of the various dynasties that ruled this land. The cultural and historic remains are huge attractions for tourists and locales alike. Sightseeing in Ha Noi is a major attraction for tourists thronging the city in droves.

Hanoi ranks among the world's most attractive and interesting cities. You can catch amazing sights of the ancient buildings rich in history and culture on sightseeing tours in Hanoi.

Places of interest

Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake, or the Lake of the Restored Sword, is located directly in the centre of Hanoi. The name is derived from a legend involving Emperor Le Thai To, in which he came across a giant tortoise while cruising on the lake. The tortoise took his sword that had secured victory against the Chinese aggressors of the Minh Dynasty. The emperor named the lake after this episode. Every morning, the surrounding park fills with locals who arrive to exercise and play badminton. By the way, there still are a few tortoises who call this area home.

Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa Lo was constructed by the French in the 19th century and was the "home" of many unlucky Vietnamese revolutionary.
Hoa Lo was constructed by the French in the 19th century and was the "home" of many unlucky Vietnamese revolutionary. Some of them were beheaded by the Guillotine still on display. At its peak the prison held up to 2'000 prisoners, up from 200 prisoners in the beginning! A few famous outbreaks and the notorious cruelty of the guards made it infamous in Vietnam and made some of the inmates revolutionary heroes.
But the prison became really famous when the Vietnamese started to use it for locking-up American and French fighter pilots being shot-down in the Vietnam War. It's most famous inmate was John McCain, now senator in the USA and probable candidate for the 2008 presidential elections.

One Pillar Pagoda
The original name of the pagoda was Dien Huu pagoda which literally means long lasting happiness and good luck. The pagoda is situated in the western part of the city. It was first built in 1049 in the reign of King Ly Thai Tong. Legend has it that at time King Ly Thai Tong was very old and had no sons of his own. One night he had a dream that he was granted a private audience with Buddha with a male baby on his hands. Buddha seating on a lotus flower in a square-shaped lotus pond in the western side of Thang Long Citadel, gave the king the baby. Month later the queen got pregnant and she gave birth to a male. To repay the gift from Buddha, the king ordered the construction of a pagoda with was supported by only one pillar resembling a lotus seat on which Buddha had been seated. The pagoda was dedicated to Buddha.

Temple of Literature- Quoc Tu Giam
The temple of Literature (Van Mieu) is a famous ancient monument consisting of the Temple of Literature and Vietnam's first university. The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 in honor of Confucius. Six years later, Quoc Tu Giam, the first university of Vietnam, was on the premises of Van Mieu. It was the first educational school for royal family members, and it was later opened to talented students. In 1482 Emperor Le Thanh Tong ordered the erection of stela with inscriptions of the names, places of birth, and achievements of graduates who had taken examinations since 1442. At present there remain 82 steles standing in the premises of Van Mieu. Each stele is placed on the back of a turtle representing the nation's longevity.

Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum

The mausoleum project was the results of artistic labor of both Vietnamese and former Soviet Union scientists in respect for President Ho Chi Minh. Ho Chi Minh City in the south may have his name, but only Hanoi has the man himself, embalmed and dressed in distinctly Lenin-esque fashion. No talking, short pants, or other signs of disrespect are allowed while viewing; photos of the large concrete-and-granite structure are permitted only from outside, in the grand Ba Dinh Square.

Ho Chi Minh Museum
The museum displays relics about the life and work of President Ho Chi Minh, a cultural figure and hero of the national liberation movement (1890-1969). The museum was inaugurated on May 19, 1990, the anniversary of the Centenary Birthday of President Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic minorities, and this museum sheds light on their history and culture. In back of the museum are re-constructions of traditional village homes.

Old quarters
It is here in the Old Quarter that Hanoi began life as a commercial centre over a thousand years ago. The original 36 streets that make up the Old Quarter are named after the goods once sold there such as silk, paper, silver, copper, herbs, cotton, fish and chicken. Nowadays the goods on sale are more likely to be t-shirts, sunglasses or embroidered table cloths but step back from the main streets and you will still find shops specializing in candlesticks, pagoda flags, engraved headstones and traditional musical instruments amongst others.

Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is the heart of Hanoi. In the morning, residents converge to jog around its tree-lined shores or perform mesmerizing "Tai Chi". In the evening people once again gather in the lakeside cafes to chat about the day's events. Hoan Kiem Lake has a colorful history. In the 15th century Emperor Le Thai To vanquished the invading Chinese with the help of a magical sword. Legend has it that whilst rowing on the lake an enormous turtle seized the sword from his grasp. The Emperor took this as a sign of divine intervention and that peace had been restored. In honor of the event he renamed the lake ‘Ho Hoan Kiem’ – Lake of the Restored Sword.

Ancient House: 87 Ma May St.
Built over 110 years ago, this house is one of the two ancient homes in Hanoi's Old Quarter, which were carefully restored as part of Hanoi's 990th Anniversary in 2000. The house is a typical Old Quarter "tube house" 2 meters wide and 60 meters long with open yards between rooms for air and light. The house is arranged strictly in accordance with "Feng Shui" rules and is vividly decorated in a traditional style.

Ancient House: 38 Hang Dao St.
This house, built on the foundations of a 17th century trader's home has been renovated to reflect the architecture and decorative styles of old Hanoi. The first floor is designed for trading purposes and living accommodation, the second for the family altar and the act of worshipping.

Hanoi Opera House
The Hanoi Opera House is one of Hanoi's grandest buildings. The exterior is a delightful mix of French neo-classical design with shuttered windows, wrought iron balconies and tiles friezes. Construction of the Hanoi Opera House began in 1901 and was completed in 1911.

Water Puppet Show
Water puppetry is a remarkable Vietnamese art form combining traditional music, fireworks and elaborate puppets floating gracefully on the water. The stories depict Vietnamese legends, peasant life and local festivals. The art form dates back to the 10th century and originally these plays would have taken place on lakes and ponds during the monsoon season. The stories remain the same but now the production takes place in a specially designed theatre with a stage knee-deep in water. The puppeteers are hidden behind a bamboo screen and the whole experience is both entertaining and amusing.

Ngoc Son Pagoda
Ngoc Son Pagoda stands in Hoan Kiem Lake. The pagoda was built in honor of Saint Van Suong - the spirit of literature and wisdom and Tran Hung Dao, one of Vietnam's most famous generals. Surrounded by water and shaded by trees, this 19th century temple is a delightful place to escape the bustle of Hanoi.

Quán Thánh Temple
Quán Thánh Temple was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010 - 1028). The temple honors Saint Tran Vu, a legendary figure who helped King An Duong Vuong chase away demons during the construction of Co Loa Citadel. The central feature of the temple is a giant, black, bronze statue of Tran Vu cast in 1667.

Tran Quoc Pagoda
With origins dating back to the 6th century Tran Quoc is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. The pagoda's unique design features a visitor hall, two corridors and a bell tower. Inside are numerous statues, the most notable of which is the wooden statue of the Shakyamuri Buddha. The oldest stele was built in 1639 and depicts the pagoda's history. Several burial stupas in the garden are relics of one of the earliest Zen Buddhist groups in North Vietnam.