DAY 1: Iconic Landmarks & Old Quarter Charm

Your first day in Hanoi begins with an immersion into the very heart of Vietnam’s history. At the Ho Chi Minh Complex, you pay respects at the Mausoleum, stroll through the modest stilt house where “Uncle Ho” once lived, and admire the elegant Presidential Palace, a French colonial treasure. A short walk brings you to the One Pillar Pagoda, a lotus-inspired structure and one of Vietnam’s most sacred Buddhist icons.

Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, where serene courtyards, carved stone steles, and ancient banyan trees embody centuries of scholarly tradition. This tranquil sanctuary offers a glimpse into the nation’s profound reverence for learning and Confucian values.

For lunch, indulge in a curated menu of Hanoi specialties with a comforting traditional rice set — each dish a story of the city’s culinary soul.

The afternoon unfolds at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where the lives and traditions of 54 ethnic groups are brought vividly to life through interactive exhibits and authentic stilt houses. Later, admire the stately façade of the Hanoi Opera House before enjoying a gentle lakeside walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, pausing at Ngoc Son Temple, steeped in legend and myth.

As twilight approaches, choose your preferred cultural experience: glide through the Old Quarter in a traditional cyclo, soaking in the maze of alleyways and buzzing street life, or attend a water puppet show, a uniquely Vietnamese art form where folklore is performed on shimmering water.

The evening is dedicated to gastronomy, with a guided food tour in the Old Quarter. Taste the city’s most beloved street delights, from crispy shrimp fritters to steaming bowls of phở, followed by a refreshing tropical fruit mix. End the night like a true Hanoian — sipping a cold beer on Tạ Hiện’s lively “beer street” or savoring the nostalgic sweetness of Trang Tien ice cream before returning to your hotel for a restful night.

DAY 2: Countryside Escape & Scenic Views

Your second day takes you beyond the bustling city to Bat Trang, the country’s most famous ceramic village. Here, you can watch artisans at work, explore traditional kilns, and even shape your own piece of pottery to take home. A short countryside drive leads to Ecopark, where you enjoy a tranquil lunch of freshly grilled fish in a lush green setting, far removed from the city’s pace.

Back in Hanoi, stroll across the historic Long Bien Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel, and pause for a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee at a riverside café while watching life along the Red River. Continue to Hoa Lo Prison, where the echoes of history resonate through its walls, telling stories of both Vietnamese revolutionaries and American POWs.

Later in the afternoon, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, its elegant towers rising gracefully from a small peninsula on West Lake. A leisurely walk along Thanh Nien Road reveals sweeping views of both West Lake and Truc Bach Lake, with tree-lined paths and a refreshing breeze.

As evening arrives, enjoy a lakeside dinner with dishes such as light and fragrant phở cuốn (Pho rolls) or bún hải sản (hearty seafood noodle soup). Then step into one of Hanoi’s most exhilarating hidden corners - Train Street coffee - where you sip coffee just inches from the tracks as a train thunders past, a sight both thrilling and unforgettable.

To crown your Hanoi journey, retreat into the comfort of a private limousine for an exclusive night tour. Drift past shimmering lakes and lively streets, pause at the glowing Quang An Flower Market where blossoms burst with life under streetlights, and feel the rhythm of Hanoi’s true nightlife. The evening concludes at Ba Dinh Square with the solemn Flag-Lowering Ceremony, a dignified tribute to the nation’s enduring spirit. 

Return to your hotel after a day filled with culture, flavors, and unforgettable moments.