9am or 2pm: Our tour guide will welcome you at the hotel then start the walking tour to discover the charm of French Quarter and learn more about the history of Vietnam.
Start point is at the statue of Ly Thai To, to the east of Hoan Kiem Lake. Walk east along Le Thach Street, the end of the street stands the State Bank of Vietnam building. Turn right onto Ngo Quyen and the government guesthouse, previously the Building of the Governor of Tonkin (North Vietnam) and the Government Building of Vietnam, is on the right. A small park lies opposite and here you will usually find a number of cyclo drivers vying for business. Hop on if you’re not in a walking mood.
Next to the park is the famous Sofitel Metropole Legend Hotel, built in 1901. Optional to have a drink at Metropole or The Press Club (Ly Dao Thanh srt). Turn left at the the end, by the roundabout, and come face to face with the imposing Opera House. The Opera House puts on regular concerts and plays at reasonable prices, so look out for what’s on when you’re in town. Highlands Coffee has a branch in the garden to the right of the Opera House if you’re ready for a break or there are a number of cafes across the park opposite. If you want street food then head down Ngo Trang Tien. Nearby is the famous Hilton Opera Hotel.
Walk to the left of the Opera House and 100 metres or so along Trang Tien street is the National Museum of Vietnamese History. The Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution is also round the corner from here and the Army Hotel on Pham Ngu Lao has a swimming pool open to the public.
Turn back and continue along Trang Tien, exploring the designer shops and book stores along the way. This street is also home to the main branch of Trang Tien ice cream, Hanoi’s most famous ice cream outlet. Trang Tien brings you back to the bottom of Hoan Kiem Lake, from where you can continue walking around the lake or relax with a coffee.
Tour ends around 12pm on the morning tour or 5pm on the afternoon tour.