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Where to visit for cultural tours in Hanoi? Tours & Activities
Cultural tours – one of the most interesting activities in Hanoi, with alleys full of interesting things and ancient villages imbued with Vietnamese culture. Let’s join Impress Travel by following the article below to learn more details!
Cultural tours in the capital
Cultural tours in the capital
With more than 1,000 years of civilization, from the time it was the capital of Thang Long until now, Hanoi has always been the largest cultural center in the country, with tangible and intangible cultural relics. The good land has given birth to a folk culture with many legends, folk songs, proverbs, heroes, famous people who are praised by the people, and folk festivals with rich historical colors, a profound impact on the spirit of the people.
What makes Hanoi remarkable is that the four directions gather to bring different cultures, making cultural tours here more diverse, and nowhere else in our country has as many cultural villages as Hanoi. Villages with Buddhist, folk, and French architecture are scattered throughout the city, making tourists from all over extremely fascinated by the cultural values that still exist in a bustling city like Hanoi.
Cultural tours in Hanoi in the integration process
Cultural tours in Hanoi in the integration process
Openness and international integration are vital rules and principles for development and creating equality between countries. The results brought about by international integration have opened up many opportunities for many countries, especially developing countries, among them Vietnam. There are great opportunities but also great challenges, the important issue is “Preserving and promoting national cultural tours identity in each country".
In fact, in recent years, the success factor of cultural tours inVietnam has achieved this because it has been successfully exploiting the unique values of national culture in tourism sales. Through cultural tours, the exchange and interference between domestic and international tourist flows and indigenous residents has given birth to a unique type of cultural product: tourism products.
Tourism products are cultural products that serve different types of tourists. When cultural products are included in tourism sales, tourism products will be created.
Hanoi’s cultural tour destinations are definitely not to be missed
Ba Dinh Square – Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum
Ba Dinh Square – Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum
If you have set foot in the land of a thousand years of civilization, Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum – Ba Dinh Square is a tourist destination in Hanoi that you cannot miss. This is the political center of Vietnam, with the National Assembly, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum, etc.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is where the body of the beloved leader is kept. Outside the mausoleum are rows of immense green bamboo. Note, when visiting Uncle Ho’s mausoleum, you need to be careful to dress neatly, not bring electronic recording devices, and maintain order in the mausoleum.
Sword Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake
Sword Lake, or Hoan Kiem Lake, is one of the places to visit in Hanoi during cultural tours of the capital. Located in the center, Hoan Kiem Lake is considered the heart of this thousand-year-old city. The lake’s surface is like a large mirror reflecting ancient trees, willow trees with flowing hair, ancient roofs of temples and pagodas, mossy old towers, and new high-rise buildings rising to the blue sky.
An interesting experience for tourists is to walk around the lake, you can see an ancient but still modern Hanoi clearly visible. Next to the lake are architectural works such as But Tower, Nghien Tower, The Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple, etc.
Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter
If you want to learn about life, cultural tours, and the people of Hanoi, don’t miss the Old Quarter, one of the tourist locations in Hanoi full of fun and attractions for tourists. Hanoi Old Quarter is located to the west and north of Hoan Kiem Lake, a densely populated place with 36 streets. Each street here mainly focuses on selling a certain type of item.
St.Joseph’s Hanoi Cathedral
Hanoi Cathedral
I don’t know when Hanoi Cathedral became a familiar “virtual living" place for many people during cultural tours of the capital. Located at the intersection of Nha Tho Street, Nha Chung Street, and Ly Quoc Su Street, Hanoi Cathedral creates a distinct highlight with its classic Gothic architecture mixed with romantic Indochina style. Few people know that this is the oldest Catholic church and the first Western architectural work in Hanoi. Thanks to its convenient location, close to many dining and entertainment venues, Hanoi Cathedral attracts a large number of tourists and locals to visit every day. You can come here to take check-in photos, then enjoy snacks and the famous cup of “church lemon tea".
Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi Opera House
The Hanoi Opera House was built by the French following the original model of the Opéra Garnier Theater in Paris, but on a smaller scale. With an “age" of more than 100 years (from 1911 to the present), the Hanoi Opera House has become the “representative face" of the city’s beauty. Visitors can combine visiting the architecture of the Hanoi Opera House with watching unique art performances. Around the Opera House, there are many unique places to eat, visit, play, and entertain.
West Lake
West Lake
West Lake has been present since the reign of King Hung, is located in Tay Ho district, and is the largest natural lake in Hanoi – with a circumference of about 14.8 km and an area of more than 500 hectares. This famous and beautiful lake has a few other interesting names. According to many geological experts, West Lake was originally a section of the Red River that stagnated due to the river changing its flow, creating a natural freshwater lake. One feature that makes the West Lake unique is that the water color changes according to the climate and time of day – guaranteed to bring you an extremely “satisfying" experience.
It may take more than a day for you to experience all the outstanding tourist activities near West Lake, such as SUP boarding, going to West Lake Water Park, taking photos in West Lake Flower Valley, etc.
Van Phuc Silk Village
Van Phuc Silk Village
A place in Hanoi that has the traditional beauty of cultural tours dating back thousands of years that you should visit is Van Phuc Silk Village. This is one of the most famous silk-weaving villages in Vietnam. This is not only a traditional village with proud silk weaving, but also recorded as “The oldest silk weaving village still operating today" awarded by the Vietnam Record Book Center. Not only can you take check-in photos, you can also immerse yourself in the very ancient traditional space of traditional silk weaving. Ancient houses and traditional weaving workshops line the small road. Exploring the silk village, you will also be able to see firsthand the traditional silk production process, from silkworm-rearing to the hand-weaving stage!
Bat Trang Pottery Village
Bat Trang Pottery Village
Whether you love the traditional art of pottery making or not, you have probably heard of Bat Trang Pottery Village. Located on the left bank of the Red River, now in Gia Lam district, Hanoi, Bat Trang Pottery Village has more than 500 years of existence and development, is the “headquarters" of ceramic production, with small units next to large-scale companies.
Over time, Bat Trang Pottery Village still retains the artistic values and precious traditional cultural features placed in each product. The most interesting thing about traveling to Bat Trang Pottery Village is that you will be able to see the meticulous ceramic-making process at the skillful hands of artisans. Don’t forget to bring home some utensils and decorative items as souvenirs.
Long Bien Bridge
Long Bien Bridge
You may not know: Long Bien Bridge is the first steel bridge across the Red River, built from 1898 to 1902. In the beginning, the bridge was called Doumer, built by the French with the expectation that it would become an effective tool for colonial exploitation in Indochina and Vietnam. As a project of Daydé & Pillé Company (Paris, France), Long Bien Bridge was once known as the largest construction project in Indochina at the time, applying technical advances in advanced construction science to ensure the preservation of both technical and artistic elements. Today, this “historical witness" bridge connecting Long Bien district and Hoan Kiem district of Hanoi is an emotional virtual living coordinate.
Watch Thang Long Water Puppet Show
Thang Long Water Puppet Show
Water puppetry is a famous intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam. You can see this unique performance art in Ho Chi Minh City. However, the Water puppet show at Thang Long Theater in Hanoi is also a wonderful activity that you should also experience. After a long day of exploring Hanoi, what could be more wonderful than being immersed in traditional music and contemplating the teachings of our ancestors conveyed through folk tales? Do not miss it!
Conclusion
The above article, Impress Travel has just been introduced briefly so you can learn about and visit some famous cultural tour destinations in the Capital. Hopefully, this article will help you understand more about cultural tours in Vietnam!
Do not forget to regularly follow ourFacebookpage andWebsitefor more interesting information about traveling and booking Hanoi tours at the best prices.
We will explore the most amazing places in the north of Vietnam. First, North Vietnam Hanoi Tour will bring you to explore Hanoi charming city, with a half-day city tour, you will visit the most iconic attractions in Hanoi such as President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake and the old quarter of Hanoi. After Hanoi, we are going to Tam Coc, Ninh Binh where we visit the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, enjoy the boat trip in Tam Coc and to discover the countryside. For ending two days of Inspirational Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Tour, we will spend one night stay on a cruise to explore the seven natural wonder of the world. Let’s explore the Magnificent North of Vietnam with Impress Travel.
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 conical hat, we will have a mini-game show to teach you how to say and write some Vietnamese simple words such as Xin Chào, Tạm Biệt, Tôi yêu Ninh Bình, etc. We will give you a little souvenir and you can wear it during the trip.
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 and lotus ponds for Tam Coc Nature Lodge where we will relaxing
Enjoy your lunch in here – Vietnamese food.
1.30 PM: you have a chance to be a fisherman and learn how to catch the fish in the pond or river.
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
4:00 PM: Back to Hanoi Capital.
18:30: Arrive in Hanoi & we will drop you at your hotel in the Old Quarter.
Have dinner is available on your request.
Overnight at the Hanoi Hotel.
Day Inclusions: Car/Mini-Van, Outstanding English speaking guide, Lunch – Vietnamese Cuisine at Tam Coc Nature Eco Lodge, All sightseeing tickets, Good bike with gears, 02 bottles of Mineral water, Services charges and government tax, Rowing boat to visit Tam Coc, One conical hat as souvenir, Demonstration of teaching to learn how to write, speak Vietnamese, and catch fish
Day 03
HANOI – HALONG CRUISE (B/L/D)
Good morning! Enjoy your with have breakfast at your hotel, then check-out the hotel.
07:30 am – 08:00: 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 the peaceful countryside scenery during the bus trip (4 hours), we arrive at the Ha Long bay seaport at around noontime.
12h 30: You will aboard the cruise, check-in & enjoy a welcome drink while your cabin will be assigned.
Check-in your cabin and put your luggage in, relax and may do a short inspection tour by moving around the cruise to discover about the cruise’s architecture & design
Enjoy the sumptuous lunch with fresh seafood meal while cruise 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 Titop Island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Titop or climb up to the top of the island for a view panorama of Halong Bay.
17h00 – 17h30: Return to the boat, enjoying beautiful seascape on the way.
17h30 – 19h00: Enjoy Sunset Party on the sundeck and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set.
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 V’Spirit Classic.
12h15 – 12h30 Transfer back to Hanoi.
About 16:00 – Arrival back to Hanoi central city, recheck in the hotel
Dinner is available on your request.
Free time & Overnight in Hanoi city
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!
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)
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.
3 STAR HOTELS & CRUISES IN VIETNAM SELECTED
Destination
Room Type
HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE
Hanoi 3-star Hotels
Adamas Deluxe City
ADAMAS HANOI HOTEL Refer: http://swancruiseshalong.com/
3-star Halong Bay Cruises
Swan Cruise Deluxe
SWAN CRUISE HALONG BAY
Refer: http://swancruiseshalong.com/
4 STAR HOTELS & CRUISE IN VIETNAM SELECTED
Destination
Room Type
HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE
Hanoi 4-star Hotels
The light deluxe with window
THE LIGHT HOTEL HANOI
Refer: thelighthotelhanoi.com/en/
4-star Halong Bay Cruises
Sealife Suite Canbin
HUONG HAI SEALIFE CRUISE HALONG BAY
Refer: www.sealifegroup.com
5 STAR HOTELS & CRUISE IN VIETNAM SELECTED
Destination
Hotel Category
HOTEL NAME, ROOM TYPE & WEBSITE
Hanoi 5-star hotels
Deluxe Sketch Apricot Hotel
APRICOT HOTEL HANOI
Refer: apricothotels.com/room/sketch
5-star Halong bay Cruises
Deluxe Room with Ocean View Margaret
MARGARET CRUISE HALONG BAY
Refer: https://margaretcruises.com
The hotels and cruise are subject to change to similar category in case of fully booked
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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