Hanoi City Full-Day Guided Tour with Lunch: Professional English guide

Five centuries of Hanoi history in one day: from the 6th-century pagoda to the colonial prison.

A full-day guided tour of Hanoi with an English-speaking guide covering five major landmarks (Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and Hoa Lo Prison) with lunch, air-conditioned transport and hotel pickup included. The mausoleum closes Mondays and Fridays and shuts for maintenance mid-June through mid-August, though the grounds remain accessible for photos during that period. Dress modestly (shoulders to knees) when entering temples and pagodas.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Tran Quoc Pagoda1h · entry included
2. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum2h · entry included
3. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology2h · entry included
4. Temple of Literature2h · entry included
5. Hoa Lo Prison2h · entry included

Explore Hanoi's cultural landmarks

• Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda
• Visit Ho Chi Minh complex and One Pillar Pagoda
• Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum or Women's Museum
• Visit Temple of Literature
• Visit Hoa Lo Prison Museum

The experience

The day starts at Tran Quoc Pagoda on Golden Fish Island in West Lake, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi built in the 6th century. From there the tour moves to the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh and walk the gardens past two houses where he lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. The One Pillar Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, sits nearby. It's described as the most unique pagoda in the world for its singular architectural form.

After the mausoleum grounds, the tour takes you to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups across Vietnam (if the museum is closed on Mondays, the Women's Museum substitutes instead). The Temple of Literature comes next, Vietnam's first university, established in the 11th century. Lunch is included partway through the day, eaten during the tour.

The final stop is Hoa Lo Prison Museum, originally built by French colonists for political prisoners and later used by North Vietnam to hold American POWs during the Vietnam War: American prisoners called it the "Hanoi Hilton." The tour wraps after visiting the museum, with the guide and air-conditioned vehicle handling all transport between sites. The whole day runs 8 to 9 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• The tour includes lunch, all fees and taxes, an air-conditioned vehicle, and an English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup is also arranged.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (5 to 70 years) · Child (2 to 4 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lily's Travel Agency

Is this one for you?The tour picks you up from your hotel and handles all transport between five sites, which matters if you're without a car or unfamiliar with Hanoi's streets: the fixed itinerary and included lunch mean the day stays on track without you building it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 4 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Tran Quoc Pagoda and why does the tour start there?

Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake, is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, built in the 6th century. The tour begins here to set the historical timeline before moving through later landmarks.

Can I visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum on any day of the week?

Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. It also closes for at least two months from mid-June through mid-August for annual maintenance, though you can still photograph the mausoleum and visit the surrounding area during that time.

What will I see at the Temple of Literature?

The Temple of Literature is Vietnam's first university, established in the 11th century. The tour includes a visit to this historical site as part of the full-day itinerary.

What is the history of Hoa Lo Prison?

Hoa Lo Prison was originally built by French colonists in Indochina to hold political prisoners. During the Vietnam War, North Vietnam used it to detain American prisoners of war, who called it the "Hanoi Hilton." The museum documents both periods.

What should I wear when visiting temples and pagodas?

Dress modestly by covering from your shoulders to your knees when entering Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, temples and pagodas.

Does the tour include meals?

Yes, lunch is included in the tour price. Drinks are not included.