HANOI CITY TOUR 1 DAY

This morning, we start our day tour to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum. The mausoleum is the last resting place of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s great revolutionist. It is a symbol of gratitude and respect of Vietnamese people for president Ho Chi Minh. The Ho Chi Minh Museum is the preserver of everything memorable related to Ho Chi Minh. The Museum consists of five extensive floors and was inaugurated on 2nd September, 1990, celebrating the 100th birthday occasion of the beloved President. Closed by, the famous One Pillar Pagoda which is built of wood on a single stone pillar 1.25 m in diameter. It is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, which is a Buddhist symbol of purity, since a lotus blossoms in a muddy pond. Continue to visit West Lake, the largest lake of the capital, once was named as "Foggy Lake” from its misty condition. Its name was changed to "West Lake" in 1573 to avoid the given name of King Le The Tong. Visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the city, originally constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De, thus giving it an age of 1,400 years. When founded the temple was named Khai Quoc (National Founding) and sited on the shores of the Red River, outside of the Yen Phu Dyke. When confronted with the river's encroachment, the temple was relocated in 1615 to Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) islet of Ho Tay (West Lake) wh ere it is now situated. A small causeway links it to the mainland. The last major repair to the temple was undertaken in 1815 when the main sanctuary, reception hall and posterior hall of the dead were renovated. Enjoy lunch at restaurant. 
 
Afternoon, we visit Temple of Literature.  Originally built in honour of Confucius by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in 1070, a university was added to the grounds six years later. The university provided education to the royal family and children of the aristocracy or "mandarins". The University remained here until Emperor Gia Long moved the countries administrative capital from Hanoi to Hue in the 18th century then we visit the Museum of Ethnology. Since there is no change for the inside, we will take a quick walk to see the outside display of the Museum, which features some typical houses and tombs of Vietamese minorities such as Viet, Muong, Bana, Co Tu, H’mong, Tay, Thai…  End of day visit Ngoc Son Temple which is located at the northern end of Sword Lake. From the shore, walking on the Welcoming Morning Sunlight Bridge leads to the island. Admire buildings of the temple, including the Pen Tower, the ink-slab, the Moon Contemplation Pavilion and the Pavilion against Waves, all of which have symbolic meaning, exploring the Hanoi 36 Old Quarter streets by cyclo. The city tour ends around 16.00.