Hanoi City Private Tour: Exploring Historic Pagodas and Bat Trang Ceramic Village
Hoàn Kiếm
Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Hanoi on a private tour. Explore ancient pagodas, visit historic sites, and experience the art of pottery making in Bat Trang Ceramic Village.
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Hanoi Opera House - 8:00 am Tour guide and car from Paradise Indochina Travel come to pick you up at your hotels around Hanoi Old Quarter & Hanoi Opera House. You have 15 minutes to take pictures of it and Hanoi Hilton hotel nearby.

  • Tran Quoc Pagoda - Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest of its kind in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 - 548). The Buddhist shrine has undergone several changes throughout the years, particularly its renaming from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (protecting the country) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century.
    Although it’s now set on an islet within West Lake, the pagoda was originally located on banks of Red River before it’s relocated in 1615due to the river’s encroachment. Surrounded by lush greenery, Tran Quoc Pagoda was a favourite amongst the kings and royal families for festivals, full moons, and Tet Festival.

  • Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum - Your next stop is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex and explore the architectural, historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place.
    It is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the most iconic and popular leader of Vietnam, known to his people as ‘Uncle Ho’. His body is preserved here in a glass case at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in central Hanoi (albeit against his wishes).
    For visitors, a trip to Uncle Ho’s final resting place can be an extraordinary experience as it is not just an average attraction; it’s a part of a unique history.
    Started in 1973, the construction of the mausoleum was modeled on Lenin’s mausoleum in Russia and was first open to the public in 1975.
    Security is tight and visitors should dress with respect (no shorts, sleeveless shirts and miniskirts) and everyone has to deposit their bags and cameras before getting in.

  • Presidential Palace Historical Site - Continue the trip is historical site, Presidential Palace Hanoi. It was constructed in 1900 by French architect Auguste Henri Vildieu, was intended to be Ho Chi Minh’s official residence but the Vietnamese leader had opted for a traditional Vietnamese stilt-house instead. The three-storey, mustard yellow building features 30 rooms built in colonial French architectural style, an orchard, carp pond, and a 91-metre long boulevard surrounded by lush gardens.
    As political gatherings are still held at Presidential Palace Hanoi, visitors are only allowed to explore the gardens and Ho Chi Minh’s stilt home. The peaceful grounds surrounding the palace are home to well-kept botanical gardens and lush fruit groves, making it an ideal place for those looking to escape the bustling Old Quarter during their holiday.

  • Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House - This humble, traditional stilt house where Ho lived intermittently from 1958 to 1969 is set in a well-tended garden adjacent to a carp-filled pond and has been preserved just as Ho left it. The clear views through the open doorways and windows permit insights more fascinating than many museum displays. The stilt house is now used for official receptions and isn’t open to the public, but visitors may wander the grounds if sticking to the paths.
    From here, you look out on to the opulent beaux-arts Presidential Palace. There is a combined entrance gate to the stilt house and palace grounds on P Ong Ich Kiem inside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex.

  • One Pillar Pagoda - Legend claims that The One Pillar Pagoda was built following a dream by the fatherless emperor in which the enlightened being Avalokiteshvara gave him a baby son resting on a lotus flower. Emperor Ly Thai Tong commissioned the pagoda to be created in resemblance of this lotus flower which is also the Buddhist symbol of enlightenment. The Emperor remained in gratitude to the bodhisattva and subsequently to to Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy following the birth of his son. Inside the temple a richly gilded statue of Quan Am takes centre place at the main altar.
    After the temple was completed loyal followers flocked daily to give thanks and support to the emperor, praying to Quan Am for a long and successful sovereignty.

  • Temple of Literature & National University - The Temple of Literature is often cited as one of Hanoi’s most picturesque tourist attractions. Originally built as a university in 1070 dedicated to Confucius, scholars and sages, the building is extremely well preserved and is a superb example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture.
    This ancient site offers a lake of literature, the Well of Heavenly Clarity, turtle steles, pavilions, courtyards and passageways that were once used by royalty. Visiting the Temple of Literature you will discover historic buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties in a revered place that has seen thousands of doctors’ graduate in what has now become a memorial to education and literature.
    Originally the university only accepted aristocrats, the elite and royal family members as students before eventually opening its doors to brighter ‘commoners’. Successful graduates had their names engraved on a stone stele which can be found on top of the stone turtles.

  • Hanoi Old Quarter Culture Exchange Center - 12:00 Have lunch with Vietnamese local cuisine in restaurant located in Hanoi Old Quarter

  • Bat Trang Ceramics Village - After lunch we continue to visit Bat Trang Ceramic & Pottery village. Here you will see a massive of product trading. Also,you can take part in the Pottery Class and learn how to form and make hand products by hand.

Bat Trang Ceramics Village is a 14th century porcelain and pottery village near Hanoi, housing local artisans who combine both traditional and modern techniques to create beautiful porcelain artworks. Not only are you able to purchase some of the finest handmade ceramic products in Vietnam, you can also see them made right before your eyes during your visit.
Located next to the Red River within the Gia Lam District, Bat Trang Ceramics Village Hanoi holds an important place in history of the ceramics industry in Asia, as it’s close to trading ports Thang
Long and Pho Hien. Today, visitors can explore its many ceramic stores and workshops to browse through a vast selection of vases, bowls, cups, and plates.

  • Long Bien Bridge - The rest of the time you take a walk to Long Bien bridge for a visit of a historical site. From here you overlook on Eco-farm such as: Garden Guava, banana and corn, etc… Long Bien Bridge (also known as Paul Doumer Bridge) was constructed between 1899 and 1902 and designed by Gustave Eiffel, the father of Eiffel Tower in Paris. Because of the strategic position in connecting Hanoi Capital to the coastal Hai Phong city, Long Bien Bridge had to be severely bombed during the American war of Vietnamese people against invaders. Nowadays, this bridge is still alive and used for trains, mopeds, and pedestrians crossing the romantic Red River. The unique architecture with the festive life of locals here makes Long Bien Bridge Hanoi become a symbol of the desire for a peach of Hanoians. A visit to Long Bien bridge definitely marks good impressive in your minds!
  • Hanoi Opera House - 17:30 Get back to the car for transfer to your hotels. We drop off at same hotels in the morning. Tour finish!
What's Included
  • Lunch included, with a bottled water given on tour
  • Guidance from an English-speaking tour guide
  • Hands-on pottery class in Bat Trang
  • All entrance and sightseeing fees covered
  • Comfortable round-trip transfers in a private, air-conditioned vehicle
What's Not Included
  • Drinks during lunch
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips/Gratuities
Additional Information
  1. Hanoi, with its millennium-old history, has managed to retain many ancient architectural creations like the Old Quarter, more than 600 shrines, and innumerable captivating sites and attractions.
  2. The tour provides an opportunity to experience the best of Hanoi: Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Temples of Literature, and the Tran Quoc Pagoda.
  3. It gives you an opportunity to explore the pottery village, join a pottery making class, and engage in practical sessions where you learn to make items.
  • For further information and better support, please connect us via WhatsApp at +84-9-8-2-8-0-4-3-9-9
  • Ho Chi Minh mausoleum opens only in morning time and closed weekly on Monday; Friday
  • All passengers must dress modestly, shorts wearing must be to knee length when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum
  • All passenger shoulders must be covered by scarfs when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum
Location
1 Tràng Tiền
Tràng Tiền
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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minimum 2 guests
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up to 15 guests
2 Adult
June 2024
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