AM. 7.45 – 8.15. Free pick up at your hotel. Then visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place. Just next door
is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 - the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Then continue on to the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda at West lake (One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam), then visit Bat Trang pottery village (applied on Mon, Wed & Fri). Lunch at local restaurant.
PM. After lunch proceed to visit the Ethnology Museum (apply on Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat), the Literature Temple and Quoc Tu Giam, see Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070 - it’s gardens and well-preserved architecture will offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Take you past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters, and the beauty of Ngoc Son temple.
Then you will visit Hanoi train street. Disguised amidst the hectic, cramped streets of the Hanoi Old Quarter lies a funky little area, where motorbikes or even cars are no longer the biggest danger to locals stepping outside of their front door. They’re now replaced by high-speed trains, hurling through the residential street, just only feet away from people everyday lives including their dishes and laundry drying by the tracks, which all define the Hanoi Train Street.
There are two trains that run along this route daily, one at 3:30 pm and another one at 7:30 pm. To gain the best photograph, we choose the train at 3:30 pm for the daylight. It is conspicuous that to be safe, travelers should observe carefully to find a safe spot to watch from and a good view. The train usually comes from the South to the North, so you can decide where to watch from. During watching train, you can enjoy food & drinks on the track, and experience the local life. Ends of day.