Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Group Tour (Half Day)

Itinerary

09:00 AM or 02:00 PM: Our tour guide will welcome you at Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, and give you a brief introduction to the tour. We will then begin our walking tour of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, an impressive complex built to express the pride of the Vietnamese people in their first president, Ho Chi Minh, also known as Uncle Ho. He was a national liberation hero who founded the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

During the visit, you will have the opportunity to explore the following attractions:

1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Built with marble and granite, the mausoleum features a three-story structure. The body of President Ho Chi Minh lies in state in the central hall on the second floor, appearing as if he were peacefully sleeping, dressed in the simple clothes he wore during his lifetime.

Notes:

• Opening days: Five days a week, except Mondays and Fridays.

• Cold season (November to March): 8:00 AM–11:00 AM.

• Hot season (April to October): 7:30 AM–10:30 AM.

• The mausoleum closes annually for maintenance of the President's body, usually in October, November, or December.

• Cameras, mobile phones, sleeveless tops, and miniskirts are not allowed inside.

2. Ba Dinh Square

Ba Dinh Square is the historic site where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945. The square is located in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and holds great significance in Vietnamese history.

3. Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House and Residence

President Ho Chi Minh chose not to live in the Presidential Palace. Instead, he lived in a simple house nearby before moving to a traditional stilt house. He lived in the stilt house from 1958 until his death in 1969.

4. One Pillar Pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda is an ancient Buddhist temple built in 1049 during the Ly Dynasty. According to legend, King Ly Thai Tong dreamed of meeting the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who handed him a baby boy while seated on a lotus flower. Inspired by this dream, the king ordered the construction of a pagoda resembling a lotus rising from the water.

Notes:

• Opening hours: Daily, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

• Entrance fee: Free.

• Please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees when visiting the pagoda.

5. Ho Chi Minh Museum

The Ho Chi Minh Museum was designed in the shape of a white lotus flower and stands nearly 20 meters high, with three floors. It displays more than 2,000 documents and artifacts that chronologically illustrate President Ho Chi Minh's life and revolutionary activities from the late 19th century onward.

Here, visitors can learn more about the life, struggles, and revolutionary journey of President Ho Chi Minh.

Temple of Literature

After visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex, you will continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university and a temple dedicated to Confucius. It is widely regarded as one of Hanoi's most picturesque attractions.

Originally built in 1070 during the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, scholars, and sages, the Temple of Literature is remarkably well preserved and is an excellent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture.

This historic complex features the Well of Heavenly Clarity, stone steles mounted on stone turtles, pavilions, courtyards, and passageways. As you explore the Temple of Literature, you will discover historic buildings dating back to the Ly and Tran dynasties. For centuries, this revered site served as a center of learning, where generations of scholars pursued academic excellence. Today, it stands as an enduring symbol of Vietnam's educational and literary heritage.

Tour Ends

The tour ends at approximately 12:00 PM for the morning tour or 5:00 PM for the afternoon tour.

Meals: N/A

Accommodation: N/A