Hanoi City Half-Day Private Tour: Hidden Corners, Train Street & Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
by Paradise Indochina Travel
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$110Overview
This private half-day tour of Hanoi lasts about four to five hours and starts with a hotel pickup at a chosen time, either morning or afternoon. The first stop is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, open only in the morning from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and closed on Mondays and Fridays. Visitors see the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh inside the mausoleum, which was built starting in 1973 and opened in 1975. Strict dress codes apply, and bags and cameras must be left outside before entry. The mausoleum is closed annually from June 10 to August 12 for maintenance. Next, the tour visits the One Pillar Pagoda, a small wooden temple supported by a single stone pillar, inspired by a legend involving Emperor Ly Thai Tong. Inside is a gilded statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Quan Am, and behind the pagoda is a bo tree gifted from India in 1958. The tour then continues to the Temple of Literature and National University, built in 1070 as Vietnam’s first university dedicated to Confucius. Visitors see courtyards, turtle steles engraved with graduate names, and traditional Vietnamese architecture from the Ly and Tran dynasties. After this, the tour stops briefly at Dong Xuan Market, Hanoi’s largest wholesale market built in 1889, known for its historical significance and variety of goods. The vehicle then passes the Long Bien Bridge, constructed between 1899 and 1902 during French colonial rule. The bridge has been repaired multiple times after bombings during the American War and remains in use by trains, mopeds, and pedestrians. The tour proceeds to Hanoi Train Street in the Old Quarter, a narrow residential alley with active railway tracks. Locals operate small cafes along the tracks where visitors can drink tea or traditional egg coffee while watching trains pass closely. The Hanoi Opera House, built by the French between 1901 and 1911 in neoclassical style and modeled on the Palais Garnier in Paris, is viewed from the outside as it is generally closed except for special events. Finally, the vehicle passes Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword), known for its peaceful surroundings and landmarks including Turtle Tower and The Huc Bridge. Visitors may take a short walk along the nearby walking street before the tour ends with drop-off at the original pickup location. Guests may choose to end the tour here to extend their visit in the Old Quarter. The tour includes private transfers, entrance fees, an English-speaking guide, and tea or egg coffee at Train Street. The itinerary covers both well-known sites and less-visited corners of Hanoi, offering a broad view of the city’s history and daily life.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The tour starts with pickup at the hotel by the guide and car. The first stop is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, open only from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and closed on Mondays and Fridays. Visitors see the body of Vietnam’s leader Ho Chi Minh preserved in a glass case inside the mausoleum built from 1973 and opened in 1975, modeled on Lenin's mausoleum in Russia. Strict security requires modest dress with shoulders covered and knee-length shorts or longer. Bags and cameras must be left outside. The mausoleum closes annually from June 10 to August 12 for maintenance.
40 min
One Pillar Pagoda
The One Pillar Pagoda was built following a dream of Emperor Ly Thai Tong, featuring a wooden temple supported by a single concrete pillar shaped like a lotus flower. Inside is a gilded statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Quan Am. Behind the pagoda grows a bo tree, said to be a descendant of the one under which Buddha attained enlightenment, gifted from India in 1958. The current pillar replaces the original destroyed by the French.
30 min
Temple of Literature & National University
This site dates back to 1070 as Vietnam’s first university dedicated to Confucius. It features traditional Vietnamese architecture from the Ly and Tran dynasties, including courtyards, pavilions, turtle steles with names of successful graduates, and the Well of Heavenly Clarity. Originally limited to aristocrats and royalty, the university later accepted commoners who passed exams.
60 min
Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market, built in 1889, is the largest wholesale market in Hanoi located in the city center. It offers fabric, clothing, local handicrafts, souvenirs, and street food. In 1946, the market was the site of intense fighting between Vietnamese resistance fighters and French soldiers, including the Quyết Tử Quân battle in February 1947 to defend Inter-resistance Zone 1. Over more than 100 years, Dong Xuan Market has been connected to many key events in Hanoi's history and holds both material and sentimental value.
20 min
Long Bien Bridge
Constructed between 1899 and 1902 by the French army, Long Bien Bridge is a symbol of Hanoi’s resilience. It was bombed several times during the American War but repaired quickly. The bridge is used by trains, mopeds, and pedestrians and is currently undergoing restoration to return to its original form. It is illuminated at night.
20 min
Hanoi Train Street
This narrow residential alley in Hanoi’s Old Quarter has active railway tracks running through it. Many local houses have been converted into small cafes where visitors can enjoy traditional egg coffee and watch trains pass very close. The street offers insight into daily local life.
40 min
Hanoi Opera House
Built by the French between 1901 and 1911, the Hanoi Opera House is a neoclassical building modeled on Paris’s Palais Garnier. It is one of three French opera houses built in Indochina. The building is closed to the public except for special events, so visitors see the exterior and learn about its architectural and historical significance.
10 min
Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake)
The vehicle passes Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Turtle Lake, named after the legend of King Le Loi returning a magical sword to a golden turtle. The area includes landmarks such as Turtle Tower and The Huc Bridge, with peaceful green surroundings. Visitors may take a short walk on the nearby walking street before the tour ends with drop-off at the original pickup point. Guests can choose to end the tour here if they want to continue exploring the Old Quarter independently.
15 min
Meeting point
This meeting point is only for those who do not need the hotel pickup or whose locations are outside of our pickup defined area.
End point
This meeting point is only for those who do not need the hotel pickup or whose locations are outside of our pickup defined area.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Hanoi City Half-Day Private Tour: Hidden Corners, Train Street & Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
by Paradise Indochina Travel
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$110Overview
This private half-day tour of Hanoi lasts about four to five hours and starts with a hotel pickup at a chosen time, either morning or afternoon. The first stop is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, open only in the morning from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and closed on Mondays and Fridays. Visitors see the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh inside the mausoleum, which was built starting in 1973 and opened in 1975. Strict dress codes apply, and bags and cameras must be left outside before entry. The mausoleum is closed annually from June 10 to August 12 for maintenance. Next, the tour visits the One Pillar Pagoda, a small wooden temple supported by a single stone pillar, inspired by a legend involving Emperor Ly Thai Tong. Inside is a gilded statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Quan Am, and behind the pagoda is a bo tree gifted from India in 1958. The tour then continues to the Temple of Literature and National University, built in 1070 as Vietnam’s first university dedicated to Confucius. Visitors see courtyards, turtle steles engraved with graduate names, and traditional Vietnamese architecture from the Ly and Tran dynasties. After this, the tour stops briefly at Dong Xuan Market, Hanoi’s largest wholesale market built in 1889, known for its historical significance and variety of goods. The vehicle then passes the Long Bien Bridge, constructed between 1899 and 1902 during French colonial rule. The bridge has been repaired multiple times after bombings during the American War and remains in use by trains, mopeds, and pedestrians. The tour proceeds to Hanoi Train Street in the Old Quarter, a narrow residential alley with active railway tracks. Locals operate small cafes along the tracks where visitors can drink tea or traditional egg coffee while watching trains pass closely. The Hanoi Opera House, built by the French between 1901 and 1911 in neoclassical style and modeled on the Palais Garnier in Paris, is viewed from the outside as it is generally closed except for special events. Finally, the vehicle passes Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword), known for its peaceful surroundings and landmarks including Turtle Tower and The Huc Bridge. Visitors may take a short walk along the nearby walking street before the tour ends with drop-off at the original pickup location. Guests may choose to end the tour here to extend their visit in the Old Quarter. The tour includes private transfers, entrance fees, an English-speaking guide, and tea or egg coffee at Train Street. The itinerary covers both well-known sites and less-visited corners of Hanoi, offering a broad view of the city’s history and daily life.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The tour starts with pickup at the hotel by the guide and car. The first stop is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, open only from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and closed on Mondays and Fridays. Visitors see the body of Vietnam’s leader Ho Chi Minh preserved in a glass case inside the mausoleum built from 1973 and opened in 1975, modeled on Lenin's mausoleum in Russia. Strict security requires modest dress with shoulders covered and knee-length shorts or longer. Bags and cameras must be left outside. The mausoleum closes annually from June 10 to August 12 for maintenance.
40 min
One Pillar Pagoda
The One Pillar Pagoda was built following a dream of Emperor Ly Thai Tong, featuring a wooden temple supported by a single concrete pillar shaped like a lotus flower. Inside is a gilded statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Quan Am. Behind the pagoda grows a bo tree, said to be a descendant of the one under which Buddha attained enlightenment, gifted from India in 1958. The current pillar replaces the original destroyed by the French.
30 min
Temple of Literature & National University
This site dates back to 1070 as Vietnam’s first university dedicated to Confucius. It features traditional Vietnamese architecture from the Ly and Tran dynasties, including courtyards, pavilions, turtle steles with names of successful graduates, and the Well of Heavenly Clarity. Originally limited to aristocrats and royalty, the university later accepted commoners who passed exams.
60 min
Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market, built in 1889, is the largest wholesale market in Hanoi located in the city center. It offers fabric, clothing, local handicrafts, souvenirs, and street food. In 1946, the market was the site of intense fighting between Vietnamese resistance fighters and French soldiers, including the Quyết Tử Quân battle in February 1947 to defend Inter-resistance Zone 1. Over more than 100 years, Dong Xuan Market has been connected to many key events in Hanoi's history and holds both material and sentimental value.
20 min
Long Bien Bridge
Constructed between 1899 and 1902 by the French army, Long Bien Bridge is a symbol of Hanoi’s resilience. It was bombed several times during the American War but repaired quickly. The bridge is used by trains, mopeds, and pedestrians and is currently undergoing restoration to return to its original form. It is illuminated at night.
20 min
Hanoi Train Street
This narrow residential alley in Hanoi’s Old Quarter has active railway tracks running through it. Many local houses have been converted into small cafes where visitors can enjoy traditional egg coffee and watch trains pass very close. The street offers insight into daily local life.
40 min
Hanoi Opera House
Built by the French between 1901 and 1911, the Hanoi Opera House is a neoclassical building modeled on Paris’s Palais Garnier. It is one of three French opera houses built in Indochina. The building is closed to the public except for special events, so visitors see the exterior and learn about its architectural and historical significance.
10 min
Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake)
The vehicle passes Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Turtle Lake, named after the legend of King Le Loi returning a magical sword to a golden turtle. The area includes landmarks such as Turtle Tower and The Huc Bridge, with peaceful green surroundings. Visitors may take a short walk on the nearby walking street before the tour ends with drop-off at the original pickup point. Guests can choose to end the tour here if they want to continue exploring the Old Quarter independently.
15 min
Meeting point
This meeting point is only for those who do not need the hotel pickup or whose locations are outside of our pickup defined area.
End point
This meeting point is only for those who do not need the hotel pickup or whose locations are outside of our pickup defined area.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.