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. Today, the concrete pillar that supports the tiny wooden pagoda is a replacement for the original one which was blown up by the departing French, it remains unclear how much of the wooden temple is the original one.

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.

The Dong Xuan Market is the largest wholesale market in Hanoi, built in 1889. Coming to Dong Xuan Market, you can find a wide range of commodities from fabric, clothing, local handicrafts, souvenirs and street foods. For more than 100 years, Dong Xuan Market has associated with many important milestones throughout the history of Hanoi, contained all the material and sentimental value of Hanoi and become one of the inseparable symbols of Hanoi.

In 1882, after the French army conquered Hanoi, the bridge was constructed in 1899 and completed in 1902. A symbol of the tenacity and resilience of the Hanoian people, the Long Bien Bridge was bombed on several occasions during the American War, and each time quickly repaired by the Vietnamese. The bridge, used by trains, mopeds and pedestrians, is undergoing reconstruction to restore its original appearance. It's colourfully illuminated at night.

Hanoi Train Street is one of the Best Things To Do to learn and explore Hanoi local life. Rather than being a normal road with car or motorbike traffic, it has actual real railway lines running through it. Homes and businesses literally open out onto the railway lines. For the most part, the locals who live and move through there go about their day as with any other Hanoi street. Motorbikes zoom up and down the side of the railway lines. Local ladies cook delicious smelling foods, crouched over their seasoned cooking pots and surrounded by bundles of herbs and other fresh ingredients. Kids run around, crossing the tracks to each other’s houses.

The Hanoi Opera House was erected by the French colonial administration between 1901 and 1911 (you are allowed to visit the outside of the building only). It is one of three opera houses that the French built during their time in Indochina, the others are Haiphong Opera House and Municipal Theatre in Ho Chi Minh city. The house was modelled on the Palais Garnier, the older of Paris's two opera houses, and is considered to be one of the architectural landmarks of Hanoi. The main architectural style of the Opera House is Neoclassicism. After the departure of the French the opera house became the scene for several political events. as well as the scene of street fighting during the fight for Hanoi.

Then the vehicle pass through Hoan Kiem Lake (lake of the Restored Sword), another name "Turtle lake". The name “Hoan Kiem” comes from the legend of King Le Loi returning the magical sword to the Golden Turtle after defeating the Ming invaders. The lake is famous for its peaceful scenery, green surroundings, and iconic structures such as Turtle Tower, The Huc Bridge... A short walk in the walking street near the lake bring you a fresh air and peacful mind. After this site, our vehicle will drop you off the same pickup place. Your say goodbye to tour guide and driver. End of the trip! PLEASE NOTE: Incase you want to extend your visit in Hanoi Old Quarter, you can say goodbye to the guide here (and go back hotel by yourself).