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Hanoi Culture & history

Our most recommended Hanoi Culture & history

From Hanoi: Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip

1. From Hanoi: Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Hanoi to Tam Coc and ride a Sampan boat to impressive caves. Experience local life as you cycle through picturesque villages, explore ancient temples, and enjoy a Vietnamese lunch. Start your tour early with pickup at your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter. Hop into the luxury van to visit Hoa Lu, an ancient capital of Vietnam. Visit Dinh king Temple and Le king Temple from the 10th century, and hear about the heroic histories of the two Kings during the Chinese Wars. At midday, sit down for lunch with Vietnamese cuisine at a local restaurant. Continue to Tam Coc and take the sampan go (traditional river boat) along the Ngo Dong river to visit Tam Coc's three caves. Head back to Tam Coc wharf, take your bicycle, and cycle around traditional villages and Tam Coc town. Visit Mua cave, which attracts visitors with its many interesting stories. Climb 500 stone steps to see all the way to Tam Coc, and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river. In the evening, return Ha Noi.

From Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Trang An, Bai Dinh, and Mua Cave Trip

2. From Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Trang An, Bai Dinh, and Mua Cave Trip

Uncover the cultural and natural heritage of the Ninh Binh province on a guided day trip from Hanoi. Pay a visit to the Bai Dinh Temple Complex, float through the tranquil rivers of Trang An, and climb to the top of Mua Caves for striking panoramic views of rocky hills. Get picked up from your hotel in Hanoi and depart toward Ninh Binh. Stop at Bai Dinh, the biggest complex of Buddhist temples in Vietnam, to gaze at the imposing pagoda. See 500 Arhat Statues made out of blue stones, a 36-ton bronze bell, and a 100-ton Buddha statue, rising up to 10 meters. Take a lunch break in a local restaurant, with a Vietnamese buffet of goat meat, fish, chicken, and fried rice, as well as vegetarian food options. Continue to the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured in the 2017 movie Kong: Skull Island. Hop on a wooden boat to navigate through its quiet rivers, discover mysterious caves, and admire towering limestone karsts covered with tropical plants. Finally, climb up 500 steps to the viewpoint of Mua Caves to marvel at panoramic views of Tam Coc before returning to Hanoi.

Hanoi Food Tour with Train Street Visit

3. Hanoi Food Tour with Train Street Visit

Start your tour at the meeting point on No.47 Hàng Bông street, and head to a traditional restaurant specializing in entrees such as pillow cake, shrimp cake, Pho rolls, and spring rolls. Have a taste of some popular and classic Vietnamese dishes. Then head over to the nearby St. Joseph’s and stop for some pictures of the late colonial French architecture. Along the way make sure to stop at a local restaurant to try banh cuon (filled rice noodles) and watch as skilled chefs demonstrate how this tasty dish is created. Next, enjoy pho (noodle soup), which is Vietnam’s most famous dish. Try both the beef and chicken versions. Definitely don't miss out on a Vietnamese traditional dessert called chè. There are both hot and cold versions for each season. After several dishes, you will be full and satisfied. Catch a taxi and go straight to the train street. Although train schedules show them to come daily, sometimes they do and sometimes not, so if you're lucky, you may catch one and experience the huge train passing right in front of your face. While here, enjoy egg coffees at a nice shop trackside and experience the unique ambiance. When you’re done with the drinks, hop in a taxi again to go back to the meeting point where the tour ends. For the disabled and those who simply have sore feet, select the cyclo option where you can sit back and enjoy the tour in quiet comfort.

From Hanoi: 3-Day Motorbike Ha Giang Loop with Easy Rider

4. From Hanoi: 3-Day Motorbike Ha Giang Loop with Easy Rider

Ha Giang Loop 3 Days 2 Nights Motorbike Tour Day 0: Ha Noi - Ha Giang The tour starts with a sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang city. You will be picked up from your hotel/hostel in Old Quater at 7:30pm pm and the bus will leave Hanoi at 8:30 pm. You will arrive in Ha Giang city at 3:30 am and check-in at our hostel for a few hours of rest. Day 1: Ha Giang – Yen Minh Town - Dong Van. (155km) 8:30 AM: Meeting your guide then our brilliant Ha Giang Loop adventure begins. The road leads you to Bac Sum Pass, up to Heaven Gate, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the twin mountains and Tam Son town. Having lunch in Yen Minh Town. Short break and drive towards Dong Van, through the picturesque Chin Khoanh Pass. Indeed, the whole Dong Van Karst Plateau is a major geoheritage sight in Vietnam. The landscape is composed of unlimited rice fields, thousands of limestone rocks and breath-taking views. It also gives you the chance to experience the life of hill- tribe villages where local people work on the land. Visiting Hmong King’s Palace, a home of Vuong’s family in Sa Phin. Arrival Dong Van in quite late afternoon, enjoy a local Vietnamese dinner and live music after a long day of mind blowing landscape views. At night time, free and easy before another dayof adventures. Day 2: Dong Van – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Du Gia Village (100km) After breakfast we leave Dong Van Town to enter the highlight of the journey, the Ma Pi Leng Pass It is well known for its abrupt cliffs and breath-taking views, often referred to as the “king” of the passes in Vietnam with its highest point at an altitude of 2,000 meters. As experience how spectacular the pass is, we will trek the Sky Path to have a closer look at the whole valley and Nho Que river. From the top view, there is a picturesque 360° panorama of Ma Pi Leng Pass. Once on the peak, you might feel overwhelmed by the majestic mountains and rivers. From here, you will go down to Nho Que river and do the boating. Then we continue to drive through the villages of Meo Vac, Mau Due and Lung Ho, where our break forlunch is served. In the afternoon, we pass through the mountainous rural area of Ha Giang province to Du Gia town. At the late afternoon, you can relax in the cool Du Gia Waterfall or take a walk around the peaceful . Then spend a night in a homestay, located in the middle of green rice fields. Day 3: Du Gia Village – Ha Giang – Ha Noi (80km) On the last day of our journey, we visit Lung Tam - the village is occupied by Hmong ethnic minorities, who are skillful textile products. We then cross Quan Ba town and have a look at the Nui Doi Mountain. After crossing Sky Gate, we pass back by Bac SumPass and go back to Ha Giang late afternoon, before getting the 7:30PM sleeper bus bus back, Arrival Hanoi Old quarter at about 2:00AM

From Hanoi: Ha Giang Loop 3-Day Self-Driving Motorbike Tour

5. From Hanoi: Ha Giang Loop 3-Day Self-Driving Motorbike Tour

Day 0: Ha Noi - Ha Giang The tour starts with a sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang city. You will be picked up from your hotel/hostel at 7:30pm pm and the bus will leave Hanoi at 8:30 pm. You will arrive in Ha Giang city at 3:30 am and check-in at our hostel for a few hours of rest. Day 1: Ha Giang – Yen Minh Town - Dong Van. (155km) 8:30 AM: Meeting your guide then our brilliant Ha Giang Loop adventure begins. The road leads you to Bac Sum Pass, up to Heaven Gate, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the twin mountains and Tam Son town. Having lunch in Yen Minh Town. Short break and drive towards Dong Van, through the picturesque Chin Khoanh Pass. Indeed, the whole Dong Van Karst Plateau is a major geoheritage sight in Vietnam. The landscape is composed of unlimited rice fields, thousandsof limestone rocks and breath-taking views. It also gives you the chance to experience the life of hill- tribe villages where local people work on the land. Visiting Hmong King’s Palace, a home of Vuong’s family in Sa Phin. Arrival Dong Van in quite late afternoon, enjoy a local Vietnamese dinner and live music after a long day of mind blowing landscape views. At night time, free and easy before another dayof adventures. Day 2: Dong Van – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Du Gia Village (100km) After breakfast we leave Dong Van Town to enter the highlight of the journey, the Ma Pi Leng Pass It is well known for its abrupt cliffs and breath-taking views, often referred to as the “king” of the passes in Vietnam with its highest point at an altitude of 2,000 meters. As experience how spectacular the pass is, we will trek the Sky Path to have a closer look at the whole valley and Nho Que river. From the top view, there is a picturesque 360° panorama ofMa Pi Leng Pass. Once on the peak, you might feel overwhelmed by the majestic mountains and rivers. From here, you will go down to Nho Que river and do the boating. Then we continue to drive through the villages of Meo Vac, Mau Due and Lung Ho, where our break forlunch is served. In the afternoon, we pass through the mountainous rural area of Ha Giang province to Du Gia town. At the late afternoon, you can relax in the cool Du Gia Waterfall or take a walk around the peaceful . Then spend a night in a homestay, located in the middle of green rice fields. Day 3: Du Gia Village – Ha Giang – Ha Noi (80km) On the last day of our journey, we visit Lung Tam - the village is occupied by Hmong ethnic minorities, who are skillful textile products. We then cross Quan Ba town and have a look at the Nui Doi Mountain. After crossing Sky Gate, we pass back by Bac SumPass and go back to Ha Giang late afternoon, before getting the 7:30PM sleeper bus bus back, Arrival Hanoi Old quarter at about 2:00AM

Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Mua Cave, Tam Coc & Bich Dong Pagoda Tour

6. Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Mua Cave, Tam Coc & Bich Dong Pagoda Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Drive to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and then continue on to visit the King Dinh Temple. Next up, discover Mua Cave Cave and enjoy a mountainous overview from the top. Savor a set lunch with Vietnamese cuisine at a bungalow beside Tam Coc river. After lunch, enjoy a Sampan boat trip through the three emerald water caves on the beautiful river and admire the countryside landscape. Cycle through the peaceful country roads to Bich Dong Pagoda and spend some time here before you return to Hanoi.

Hanoi: Morning or Afternoon City Highlights Tour

7. Hanoi: Morning or Afternoon City Highlights Tour

Explore Hanoi and see its highlights on a morning or afternoon city tour by van. See the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Complex, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and more. Begin your tour at the Hanoi Opera House in the French Quarter and wonder at one of the city's main architectural landmarks. Then head to the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam built in the 10th century under the Ly Dynasty and greatly influenced by Confucianism. Make your way to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, an important place for the Vietnamese. The complex is a traffic-free area full of botanical gardens, monuments, memorials and pagodas. Stop outside Ba Dinh Square and take a look outside the mausoleum, then continue to explore the One Pillar Pagoda. Go to Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hanoi, before concluding your tour at St. Joseph's Cathedral to learn about religion in Vietnam. The church was one of the first structures built by the French colonial government in Indochina when it opened in December 1886.

Full-Day Perfume Pagoda Private or Small-Group Tour

8. Full-Day Perfume Pagoda Private or Small-Group Tour

Embark on a full-day tour to visit Perfume Pagoda – a vast complex of Buddhist temples and shrines built into the limestone Huong Tich mountains. Glide along scenic waterways and walk up steep mountain paths as you encounter the area's centuries-old pagodas and temples. Around 8:30 AM, the guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. After pickup, enjoy a scenic 2-hour drive to Perfume Pagoda. Upon arrival, hop aboard your 1-hour row boat trip on the Yen stream to Thien Tru harbor. Once you have arrived in Thien Tru, you will enjoy time for some trekking, visit the main cave where you’ll arrive at Huong Tich Cave on the top of the mountain. Then enjoy a 1-hour trekking back down or take optional cable car instead of trekking (optional). Next, enjoy lunch at the local restaurant at the bottom of the mountain. After lunchtime, you will see the Heaven Kitchen pagoda and learn about Buddhism ancient architectural at Le Dynasty. Re-board your boat and sit back and relax as you head back to the pier, enjoy 2-hour road trip back to Hanoi. Your tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel around 6:00 PM.

From Hanoi: Bai Dinh, Trang An, and Mua Cave Full-Day Tour

9. From Hanoi: Bai Dinh, Trang An, and Mua Cave Full-Day Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel in Hanoi between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM and drive by bus to Bai Dinh Pagoda, the biggest pagoda in Vietnam. Explore this beautiful Buddhist place of worship, with 500 La Han statues and the largest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam, 10 meters tall. Enjoy some free time with your guide to visit the pagoda and learn more about Buddhism.   Enjoy a lunch of Vietnamese cuisine after you've seen the pagoda. Then hop back on the bus and continue to Trang An wharf. From here, take a boat trip to visit Trang An cave complex. After the boat trip, you'll take a bike to visit traditional villages around the Trang An area.   The tour continues to Mua Cave. Listen to interesting stories about this place from your guide. After climbing 500 stone steps, you'll be able to see all the way to Tam Coc. Enjoy the stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river. At the end of the day you'll get back on the bus and drive back to Hanoi, where you'll be dropped off back at your hotel in the Old Quarter.

From Hanoi: Perfume Pagoda Tour and Yen Stream Boat Ride

10. From Hanoi: Perfume Pagoda Tour and Yen Stream Boat Ride

ITINERARY : 8h – 8h45 : We pick you up at your hotel and start to visit Perfume Pagoda. 9h15 – 9h30 : Have a short break for 15-20 minutes to relax 10h15 : We arrive at Perfume Pagoda and walk to Yen wharf to get on local boat. The boat will go through Yen stream and you can enjoy beautiful landscape. 11h30 : Short trek to the main cave on the mountain summit ( 2.5km), we visit Huong Tich cave. The tour guide will help you understand about this landscape. 13h00 : Have lunch at the restaurant. 14h00 : Visit Thien Tru Pagoda for resting and if you wish, Buddhist prayer. Thien Tru Pagoda was built in the 18th century under King Le Thanh Tong dynasty. Thien Tru means a heaven kitchen, derived from the imagination of the locals in this region, of which the rock formations in this area look like chefs busily working in the kitchen. 15h30 : Back to Yen wharf and return by bus to Hanoi. 18h00 : Arrive back to Hanoi and get dropped at the Hotel. The Trip end !

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What people are saying about Hanoi

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 2,246 reviews

We loved this trip- it’s in our top three trips so far. Our tour guide, Thang, was very nice, informative and prepped us for each leg of the trip. I will say that it a rather active trip with a beautiful but long bike ride and a 500 stair climb at the end but I think for both you can always sit and grab a drink. Both the bike riding and the climb are totally worth it though. Thang is also a great photographer and will take many pictures of you on your camera and then large group photos as well. The boat ride through the caves is stunning and roughly an hour and 40 minutes. The only downfall was the heavy rain but we were provided a poncho and an umbrella on the boat ride. Buffet lunch was okay but Thang warned us of that and paid special detail to the vegetarians and ppl with allergies. Highly recommend!

Our trip was in January, so the weather was cold and windy, that’s why I thought a day trip should be enough, and it was, but you can easily spend more time there, because the place is beautiful. We were there at the time of Tet, so there was a huge crowd everywhere. Our tour guide was excellent, lunch was plenty and okay. The cycling was amazing, I would definitely would have continued for like another 30 minutes. Overall a good experience, maybe with a little luck there won’t be such a big crowd when you decide to go there.

I forgot our guide's name, but he was very knowledgeable. He's the kind of guide that beyond just the tour, if you have extra questions related to the tour or Hanoi in general, will be able to answer.

so very friendly. Great value for money. friendly tour guide. so many wonderful stops. very well organised. I would highly reccomend this company and this tour. March 2023

Brilliant day, great tour guide and an added bonus was the use of cycles through the rice fields