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Step Through History: Famous Long Bien Bridge Architectural Tour

Welcome to the Long Bien Bridge Architectural Tour a fascinating journey into one of the most iconic features of Hanoi. Long Bien Bridge, built during the French colonial era, graciously shares in the resiliency of a famously historic country like Vietnam. A tour filled with historical expositions, Architectonic awareness, and ending with cultural imbibing one that is ideal for those who want to come in contact with the rich historical past of Hanoi. Impressed Travel will take you around on your Hanoi Tours to explore the bridge and many famous landmarks in the city.

Unveiling the Architectural Marvel: The History of Long Bien Bridge

The Origins of Long Bien Bridge

Walk on Long Bien bridge in Long Bien Bridge Architectural Tour

Walk on Long Bien bridge

Let me take you back, if you will, to the late 19th-century birth of the iconic Long Bien Bridge. The French built it in 1898, and it serves as a witness to the colonial history of Hanoi and its strategic importance. The work in the construction of the Long Bien Bridge was enormous, serving as one of the most important structures in the city during the colonial period as it connected Hanoi with the main economic and military position. The bridge served to connect not only two parts of the bank of the Red River but also a very important transportation and trade artery when the French colonized the city.

Role of Long Bien Bridge in the Wars

Yet, all that is not told in the story of Long Bien Bridge. During the French and American wars, it turned out to be a significant target. Imagine bombs falling from the sky, yet this resilient bridge stood strong, continuously repaired and rebuilt by the Vietnamese people. The history of Long Bien Bridge is extraordinary itself, full of stories about endurance and survival. Located to cross the Red River, Long Bien Bridge served so many purposes in wartime logistics; therefore, it became a symbol of the strength and determination of Vietnam, notwithstanding the repeated bombings the country received.

Architectural Significance of Long Bien Bridge

Now, let me choke on the amazing architecture of Long Bien Bridge. The steel-based construction designed by the French is influenced by other famous bridges of the world, such as the Brooklyn Bridge and even the Eiffel Tower! The bold industrial structure combined with delicate iron latticework exemplifies late 19th-century French engineering. The bridge is uniquely identified by its blend of European and Vietnamese architectural styles, portraying the cultural fusion of those times. It is little surprise that Long Bien Bridge is often compared to iconic structures across the globe for both its scale and its beauty.

Step Through History: Famous Long Bien Bridge Architectural Tour (Detailed Itinerary)

09:00 AM – Start at Hanoi Opera House

Hanoi Opera House in Long Bien Bridge Architectural Tour

Hanoi Opera House

Your day begins with a comfortable pickup by our professional guide and driver at the Hanoi Opera House, one of the most magnificent theaters built in the early 20th century, modeled on the French architectural style of the Paris Opera House. While admiring its structure, your guide will share its history and importance during French colonial rule.

09:30 AM – Scenic Ride through Hanoi’s Historical Landmarks
Take a nice drive through the busy streets of Hanoi, going around landmarks like Hanoi University of Science and Hanoi University of Pharmacy two beautiful examples of French-Indochinese architecture. Then take the continued ride to see how Hanoi’s rich history results in both old and new expressions.

10:00 AM – Explore St. Joseph’s Cathedral and Old Quarter
Upon arrival, St. Joseph’s Cathedral will introduce you to an element of Gothic Revival architecture right in the center of Hanoi. Allow your inner art lover to come alive with the spires and stained-glass windows. Turn into a nearby café for some relaxation over a cup of Vietnamese coffee or lemon tea while enjoying the cheers of the lively Old Quarter.

Explore St. Joseph’s Cathedral

Explore St. Joseph’s Cathedral

11:30 AM – Midday Culinary Adventure: Ngu Xa Area
Time to try some of Hanoi’s best street food! The Ngu Xa area shall be the first stop. It shall serve some of the nation’s favorite dishes, Nem Chua Ran (fried fermented pork rolls) and Pho Cuon (rolled pho). Your guide will explain background information about the popular dishes, and why these particular dishes have earned a big presence in the development of famous Hanoi street food culture.

01:00 PM – Afternoon Visit to Chu Xa Mural Village
After lunch, we will spend some tranquil time away from the city noise at Chu Xa Mural Village. This quiet village, located by the side of the Red River, has become famous for its vivid murals depicting life and culture in Vietnam. Winding through the village, you will appreciate how this serenity contrasts with the urban bustle that erupted around Hanoi.

02:30 PM – Long Bien Bridge Walk
No visit to Hanoi would be complete without taking in the views of Long Bien Bridge a true marvel of architecture whose history harks back more than 120 years. Designed during the French Colonial period, this steel structure was the very first to bridge the Red River and, since then, has gained symbolic recognition as an expression of the resilience of Hanoi. Take leisurely walks over its worn tracks, take in panoramic views of the river below, and enjoy fascinating stories about how the bridge survived bombings during the American war.

04:00 PM – Sunset Photography on Long Bien Bridge
If the timing is right, maybe you catch a glimpse of a sunset over the Red River from Long Bien Bridge. This is one of the most beautiful photography spots in Hanoi: the rustic charm of this bridge combined with the glowing sky creates the most magic moment.

05:00 PM – Final Stop: Street Food and Hanoi’s Old Quarter
We’ll then head back to the Old Quarter, having one last food stop. Continue to sample some local delicacies, such as Nom Bo Kho (dry beef salad) and Banh Bot Loc (steamed dumplings), and end with a sweet treat on To Tich Street for a perfect ending to a day of exploration.

06:00 PM – Return to the Hanoi Opera House / Hotel
The tour culminates in a drop-off at the Hanoi Opera House or your hotel. You will, therefore, leave with completely new eyes for the Long Bien Bridge, its history, and the cultural depth of Hanoi itself, ready to take home unforgettable memories of your Hanoi Tour.

Essential Tips for Participating in the Long Bien Bridge Architectural Tour

Best Time to Visit

Timing is everything for the full enjoyment of a Long Bien Bridge Architectural Tour. For those people who love their mornings peacefully, the early morning hours come with soft light and fewer people can take full advantage of sightseeing on the bridge and its surroundings. The late afternoon offers stunning sunset views across the Red River. When the sun is about to set, a golden glow creates an ethereal atmosphere, ideal for photography. Both periods create an optimal experience: cooler temperatures and fewer tourists mean it’s the best time to visit Long Bien Bridge.

What to Wear and Bring

Comfort is key in touring Hanoi; therefore, do not forget your comfortable walking shoes, as you will cover a good distance during this tour. Bring sun protection with you-your sunscreen, hat, or sunglasses are very important, especially in the hotter months. If touring during the rainy season, you should not forget to bring along your small umbrella or rain jacket to keep you dry. Of course, don’t forget your camera since photo opportunities on Long Bien Bridge are excellent, and you will want to shoot both beautiful architecture and panoramic views.

Booking Details and Tour Prices

It is easy and convenient to book your Long Bien Bridge Architectural Tour with Impress Travel, whose prices vary between $50-$70 USD per person, depending on the season and the group size. Please check for availability by accessing Impress Travel’s website to book directly online or call their customer service team. Tours run all the time, but it is always advisable to book your tour ahead of time, especially in peak holiday seasons. For an amazing journey to take you through one of Hanoi’s iconic landmarks, this is a tour you would not want to be left off from.

Watch the sunset at Long Bien bridge in Long Bien Bridge Architectural Tour

Watch the sunset at Long Bien bridge

Conclusion

The Long Bien Bridge Architectural Tour could become your combination of historical, cultural, and architectural insights about Hanoi in one day. From the iconic Long Bien Bridge, steeped in historical significance, to savoring equally famous street food of Hanoi and strolling through artistic villages, this tour encompasses everything. Never miss out on the chance to dive deep right at the heart of the city. Impress Travel offers a booking service for a  Long Bien Bridge historical tour and invites customers to take a glimpse into Hanoi’s past and present with all of the excitement. Don’t forget to regularly follow our Impress Travel for more interesting information about traveling to Ha Noi  and to book Ha Noi Tours at the best prices.

Hanoi Head Office

  • 125 Hoang Ngan, Hanoi
  • Tel: (+84) 912 379 189
  • Email: hanoi@impresstravel.com

Saigon Office

  • 155 Ben Van Don, Rivergate, 4 District, HCM
  • Tel: (+84)961675566
  • Email: saigon@impresstravel.com
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TOUR IN BRIEF

Day 1: HANOI ARRIVAL – GREETING – HANOI CITY TOUR– Private Tour (L)

Day 2: HANOI – NINH BINH (TAM COC, HOA LU) TOUR (B/L)

Day 3: HANOI – HALONG CRUISE (B/L/D)

Day 4: HALONG BAY – HANOI (B/L)

Day 5: HANOI CITY CENTER TO NOI BAI AIRPORT – DEPARTURE (B)

Tours Itinerary

Day 01

HANOI ARRIVAL – GREETING – HANOI CITY TOUR– Private Tour (L)

  • Good morning, pick you up at Noi Bai International
  • Airport and transfer to Hanoi Capital city.
  • Check-in the hotel then have lunch at the restaurant.
  • Afternoon sightseeing tour begins with a visit to President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum ( closed on Monday and Friday, every afternoon, and whole from 15 June – 15 August, view the outside the building). Inside the mausoleum, there are sightseeing of the Presidential Palace (view from outside), President’s Fishpond, House On Stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda.
  • Next, we will pay a visit to the Temple of Literature. It is where Confucius – The founder of Confucianism was worshiped. This place as known as the first National University of Vietnam. It is where kings, mandarins, talented people of Vietnam training to the functionary.
  • Our tour continues with an exciting visit. We will visit one of the most beautiful lakes in Hanoi is Hoan Kiem Lake. Then, we will go to the Ngoc Son Temple, which is in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake.
  • Continue a short walking tour around the old quarter with a tour guide.

Day Inclusions: Private A/C transfer, English-speaking tour guide in Hanoi, lunch, entrance fee, hotel in Hanoi

Day 02

HANOI – NINH BINH (TAM COC, HOA LU) TOUR (B/L)

  • Good morning, have breakfast at the hotel.
  • 7.30 – 8.00 AM: Pick you up at your hotel in the Old Quarter and transfer to Tam Coc.
  • 8.00 – 10.00 AM: After two hours of transferring, our tour guide will introduce you to Vietnam as the history, culture, lifestyle of local people on the way from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.
  • 10 AM: We will prepare for a boat trip to visit the beautiful Tam Coc. It takes 1.30 hours rowing along the Ngo Dong river through the three mysterious caves. You can enjoy spectacular scenery surrounded by rice paddies and towering limestone mountain peaks.
  • 11.30 AM: We will get on Thanh pier for a short walk to visit Thai Vi Temple, which is one of the well-known temples in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. We will continue 10 minutes walking along majestic valley with rice fields, rivers.
  • Enjoy your lunch – Vietnamese food.
  • 2:00 – 3:00 PM: We ride a bike to Thung Nang, along the river among the rice field, lotus ponds, and limestone Mountains. We will continue to through a peaceful Dan Khe Trong village. This area is a real picture of the rural countryside in the north of Vietnam.
  • 15: 00: Return the van, drive to visit Hoa Lu Ancient citadel which was built in the 10th century, and the temple dedicated to King Dinh and King Le
  • Return to Hanoi Capital.
  • Overnight at the Hanoi Hotel.

Day Inclusions: Transfer, breakfast, lunch, tour guide, rowing boat, entrance fee, bicycles, hotel in Hanoi. 

Day 03

HANOI – HALONG CRUISE (B/L/D)

  • Good morning, have breakfast at your hotel, then check-out of the hotel.
  • 07:30 am – 08:00 am, pick up from your hotel to travel to Halong Bay (notice: pickup time can be a bit flexible depending on each different Cruise, distance Hanoi – Halong bay is 160km, a stop for break time on halfway for a refreshment).
  • You enjoy the drive and sightseeing of the peaceful countryside scenery during the bus trip (4 hours). We arrive at the Ha Long bay seaport at around noontime.
  • At noon, you aboard the cruise, check-in & enjoy a welcome drink while your cabin is assigned.
  • Check-in your cabin and put your luggage inside the cabin. Try to relax and do a short tour by moving around the cruise to learn about the cruise’s architecture & design.
  • Relaxing, sightseeing and taking photos
  • A sumptuous lunch with fresh seafood meal is served while the cruise was slowly gliding out into the Halong bay.
  • 15h00 – 16h00 explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave – the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay.
  • 16h00 – 17h00 Cruising to Titov Island for swimming and relaxing at the beach. You can climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay.
  • 17h00 – 17h30 Return to the main boat. Continue cruising to the quiet area while enjoying the beautiful sea view on the way.
  • 17h30 – 19h00 Enjoy Sunset Party on the cruise and admire the best moments of the day. It is when the sunset happens.
  • 19h00        Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, take part in board games, go fishing for squid, or just laze around.
  • Overnight in your cabin on Cruise.

Day Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, shuttle bus A/C transfer, English speaking tour guide on CRUISE only, entrance fee, full board, joint Cruise in Halong bay with private cabin (2 persons share 1 cabin)

Day 04

HALONG BAY – HANOI (B/L)

  • Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.
  • 07h00 – 07h30 Have breakfast on board and enjoy the peaceful morning of Halong Bay.
  • 08h30 – 09h30 Kayak among the hidden areas of the bay, around the Drum Cave.
  • 09h45 Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin.
  • 10h00 – 10h30 Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more.
  • 10h30 – 11h30 while heading back to the harbor, watch the fruit carving demonstration and participate in the Cooking Class before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
  • 11h45 – 12h00 Disembark in Halong Bay Port.
  • 12h15 – 12h30 Transfer back to Hanoi.
  • About 16:00 – Arrival back to Hanoi central city, recheck in the hotel
  • Free time & Overnight in Hanoi city
Day Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, brunch, activities in Halong bay, transfer, tour guide, hotel in Hanoi.

Day 05

HANOI CITY CENTER TO NOI BAI AIRPORT – DEPARTURE (B)

  • Good morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then, you have some free time to explore Hanoi city before going to Noi Bai airport for your scheduled flight.
  • The end of the tour, thank you and see you again!
Day Inclusions: Hotel breakfast, transfer, tour guide.

What’s included in this trip :

  • A/C accommodation with DOUBLE or TWIN ROOM (2 persons share 1 room; single room can be available on request) with daily breakfast
  • A/C transfer from Airports to the hotel and other tourist destinations according to the itinerary
  • Bus round trip to Hanoi – Ha Long Bay; (private land transfer available on request)
  • 2 days 1 night on Joint Cruise trip in Ha Long Bay, with DOUBLE or TWIN (2 persons share 1 cabin; single cabin can be available on request), full meals on board
  • Kayaking in Ha Long Bay
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary. (Breakfast = 04; Lunch = 04; Dinner = 01)
  • English- speaking guides as specified (Chinese/ Malaysian speaking guide can be available on request)
  • Rowing boat & biking in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh
  • Entrance fees
  • Mineral water (2 bottles/ per day with sightseeing tour)
What’s excluded in this trip:
  • All international and domestic flights
  • Specified as Chinese/ Malaysian/ Indonesian/Thai speaking guide can be available on request to pay for extra-fee.
  • Travel Insurance
  • Airport taxes
  • All meals not mentioned
  • Tips for tour guides, drivers, crew members in Ha Long Bay, other attendants if may have (3 USD/pax/day)
  • Other personal expenses not mentioned.

4  STAR HOTEL TO BE USED

City Hotel Room
Hanoi Silk Path/ La Siesta Premium Deluxe with windows
Halong Bay Paradise Sail/Bhaya cruise Deluxe with windows

5 STAR HOTEL TO BE USED

City Hotel Room
Hanoi Peridot Hotel/Apricot Deluxe with windows
Halong Bay Paradise Elegance/Au Co Deluxe with windows

Ranana

You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.

We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.

Ebrahim

Tour of Vietnam

Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!

Solly Pochee

The tour was fantastic

I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee

Bernard Lim

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel

Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.

Derek.Schooling

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel

This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.

My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .

We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress

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