Exploring the City
After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be greeted by your guide and after a quick safety briefing, head off into Hanoi on the back of your war-era jeep.
For the first part of the day, you’ll be getting properly under the skin of Hanoi. Your guide will take you to the lesser-known parts of the city, showing you slices of life in the back-alleys.
Take in the activity on the tiny lanes, in the local schools, homes, and markets that appear to spring out of nowhere. Venture to the black market, and experience how the locals live, how they work, and see where they go to socialise.
We feel the majority of a city’s attractions lie here, off the beaten track and away from the super touristy spots, where you can go and really experience life at a grassroots level.
That being said, you can’t come to Hanoi and not see the 1000-year-old temples of Tran Quoc, or the colossal Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. So, along with the Temple of Literature, the iconic train tracks that run through the city and the atmospheric French Quarter, we’ll stop by the ‘must-sees’ in the second part of your day.
Then, you’ll head to see the poetic beauty of West Lake, the hustling & bustling Old Quarter, the romantic lakes of Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Opera House & the famous Long Bien bridge.
At the West Lake, we’ll take you further off the beaten track, to explore the peaceful, alluring villages that sit on the outskirts of the city. This is a great opportunity to take in the contrasts of rural and city life, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere in the evening air.
Of course, en route, you’ll be stopping at all kinds of local restaurants, eateries and street food stalls, sampling dishes that have been passed down through generations, secret recipes, and local specialities.
Accommodation
Hotel L’Heritage or similar
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