Hanoi full-day essential guided tour with local lunch

Discover the culturally-rich Hanoi on this full-day, essential guided tour of the "Bright Paris" of Asia, so called because of its strong reminders of its French colonial era.You'll start with a morning visit to Ba Dinh Square and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, before walking to the next door simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked. French architecture is a feature of Hanoi, and the nearby former Governor's Residence is a fine example. The itinerary will then include the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, which was founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong and honours Confucius. At this point of the day, you'll be able to enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch and after you'll experience a local rickshaw (cyclo) ride in Hanoi's famous Old Quarter. The day will end at the Water Puppet Show theatre to learn more about a unique form of Vietnamese traditional art taking its roots from myths and sagas. The 45-minute show will have a rural theme and a strong reference to folklore so to make it a charming end to a perfect day before heading back to your hotel.