Highlights
- Explore the fascinating history of Vietnam, especially the Vietnam war
- Visit Hoa Lo Prison, the French Quarter, and hidden historic sites
- Hear captivating historical stories on site that you won’t easily find elsewhere
- Admire beautiful French colonial architecture
- Gain insights into modern Vietnamese perspectives
Description
Vietnam is a nation that has endured numerous wars with France, Japan, and China, and most famously the resistance war against the United States—widely known as the Vietnam War. Throughout its history, Vietnam has stood at the crossroads of East-West conflict, shaped by pivotal global events such as World War II, the Cold War, and the Sino-Soviet split. Therefore, delving into Vietnamese history helps you uncover a vital chapter in the course of world history.
On this tour, you will discover Vietnam’s history, both heroic and deeply engaging, along with hidden stories preserved right at the authentic sites where major events unfolded—from renowned landmarks like Hoa Lo Prison to lesser-known locations unfamiliar even to many Vietnamese locals.
⭐ With the Half-Day Option, you will explore:
1️⃣ Palace of the Tonkin Governor: Admire graceful French neoclassical architecture alongside visible battle scars from the war against the French.
2️⃣ Hanoi Opera House & the French Quarter: An opulent French-built opera house set in what was once dubbed 'Little Paris in Hanoi.' Behind its colonial charm lie complex tales of French-Vietnamese relations, alongside compelling stories of American presence—from renowned anti-war figures like Joan Baez (the Queen of Folk) and Jane Fonda to historic visits by US presidents.
3️⃣ Coffee Talk: Enjoy delicious coffee (or other drinks) in an authentic old Hanoi café and chat about history, where you will get an overview of history, especially the wartime periods with the French and the Americans.
4️⃣ Mass Grave: The burial site of victims of the 1945 famine. Here, you will hear a sorrowful story of the Vietnamese people, when millions lost their lives during this tragic historical famine.
5️⃣ Hoa Lo Prison (inside visit): A famous historical site built by the French to imprison Vietnamese revolutionaries. Later, it was used to hold American pilots and became known as the “Hanoi Hilton”.
6️⃣ B-52 Lake: A fascinating location where you can see the wreckage of an American aircraft in the lake, offering insight into the optimism and resilience of Hanoi’s people during wartime.
⭐ With the Full-Day Option, in addition to the destinations above, you will travel by private car to further explore:
7️⃣ Obama Bun Cha (or alternative): Savor Hanoi's iconic dish at the exact local eatery where President Barack Obama dined in 2016.
8️⃣ Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside view): The site where President Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved, and also where he proclaimed Vietnam’s Declaration of Independence in 1945.
9️⃣ The North Gate & Long Bien Bridge Complex: Explore Hanoi’s ancient gate marked by anti-French wartime scars on a tree-lined colonial street, alongside the 120-year-old Long Bien Bridge—the city's historic 'horizontal Eiffel Tower.'
1️⃣0️⃣ John McCain Monument: A memorial by the lake where late US Senator John McCain crashed after being shot down in 1967, now an enduring symbol of US–Vietnam reconciliation.
Includes
Guided tour of historical landmarks.
Hotel pick-up & drop-off (if your hotel is located in the Old Quarter, French Quarter, or nearby).
Private car for transportation between destinations.
Insights into Vietnam's fight for independence and the Vietnam (or American) War.
Stories of resilience and hope from the past and present.
Connection with the enduring spirit of the Vietnamese people.
Entrance ticket of all places.
Water or drinks
Excludes
Other Beverages & Personal expenses.
Tips for guide is appreciated.
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
