Hanoi Itinerary 2 days: Discover "The City for Peace"

Day 1: Hanoi City Itinerary

In the morning

Spend your first morning to pay a visit to the heart of Vietnamese people – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex. Within the complex are Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Ho Chi Minh’s House on stilts, the Presidential Palace, and also the unique One Pillar Pagoda. The deepest impression is the embalmed body of President Ho Chi Minh in the Mausoleum. Just a few minutes of viewing, it is nonetheless an unforgettable moment.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Just about 15 minutes of walking from the Complex is the Temple of Literature. It was built in 1070, dedicated to Confucius, and also the first university in Vietnam. The temple is one of the best examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Especially, the stone ‘stele of doctors’ in the temple was recognized as World Documentary Heritage by UNESCO in 2010.

Temple of Literature

In the afternoon

After having lunch, take a bus or taxi to Hoa Lo Prison Museum, a historical site that reminds us of the war in Vietnam. Hoa Lo Prison was built by the French intended to hold Vietnamese prisoners when Vietnam was still part of French Indochina. Later, it was used for American prisoners during the war against the Americans. Words cannot describe all, just behold the war with your own eyes.

Hoan Kiem Lake is the next stop. ‘Hoan Kiem’ means ‘Returned Sword’, related to a legend about King Le Loi who fought a war against the Ming invaders from China. The Turtle temple standing on a small island near the center of the lake is linked to the legend. Across the red bridge (The Huc Bridge) is Ngoc Son Temple where you can see the giant turtle.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Then, you can take a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter for an hour to experience more about the life of locals. If you are a shopaholic or souvenir seeker, this is one of the best areas for you. You can stop by anytime to try street foods, drinks, or snacks. The local food in Hanoi is reasonably cheap and delicious. Some famous traditional foods are ‘pho Bo’ (beef noodle), ‘bun cha’ (rice noodles with meatballs), ‘cha ca La Vong’ (grilled fish), spring rolls, etc.

Cyclo around the Old Quarter

Day 2: Hanoi Surrounding itinerary

On the second day, it is a good idea to take a tour of the surrounding areas of Hanoi to enjoy the peaceful countryside. Duong Lam ancient village is located in Son Tay town, 40 km to the west of Hanoi. This village has a history of about 1200 years, well-known as ‘the homeland of two Kings’ (Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung). Today, Duong Lam still retains the basic characteristics of old villages of Northern Vietnam with an entrance gate, banyan tree, water well, and communal house's courtyard. Arrive in Duong Lam then walk along the village road or hire a bicycle to enjoy bucolic air and discover the daily life and farm work. This village is famous for ancient houses designed in the traditional style dating back up to 400 years. You can go inside to explore the architecture and meet locals living in the houses. Have lunch at a local restaurant, relax and continue to visit other historical relics: Mia Pagoda, Phung Hung Temple, and Ngo Quyen Temple, etc.

Duong Lam Ancient Village with our below customer

Come back to the city in the late afternoon, you can spend the rest of the day shopping at Dong Xuan Market or souvenir shops in the Old Quarter area.

After two days of discovering different aspects of Hanoi in 2 days, the urban and suburban, your visit will be an unforgettable time. However, there are still many other interesting destinations waiting for you to call on. If you cannot stay longer, don’t forget to come back at another time to enjoy a lot of interesting Hanoi tours.

Phuong Thao

Image sources: Internet