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Hanoi Highlights

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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

Tour style:Local Life & Culture, Heritage & History
Inclusion:

English speaking guide, Transport & Entrance fees as indicated, Meals: 1 lunch.

Exclusion:

Items of a personal nature, Tips or gratuities for drivers or guides.

Group size:Maximum 12
Schedule details:

• Duration: 9-10 hours
• Meeting point:

  Pick up at centrally located hotels in Hanoi.

• Start time: 8.30 AM-9.30 AM
• Finish point:

  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.

Additional information :

• Voucher exchange details:

  Please present your voucher to the local guide at the beginning of the tour.

• Confirmation of booking:

  Please contact Hanoi Urban Adventures to confirm your tour 24 hours prior to departure.

• Dress standard:

  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.

• Child policy:

  Children must be between 6 and 11 years of age inclusive.

• Language: English

Also runs from:1 Apr 2012 to 31 Mar 2013

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 travel experience 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.

Your trip:

This tour is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.

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.

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