Vietnam is a country that has endured numerous wars with France, China, and most famously the resistance war against the United States, commonly known as the Vietnam War. Throughout its history, Vietnam has also stood at the crossroads of conflict between East and West, shaped by events such as World War II, the Cold War, and the China–Soviet split. Therefore, learning about Vietnamese history helps you uncover an important part of the course of world history.

On this tour, you will uncover hidden yet fascinating stories that remain little known—even among many Vietnamese themselves. You will embark on a historical journey that is both sorrowful and heroic, yet deeply engaging, through sites where major events truly took place—from well-known landmarks such as Hoa Lo Prison, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum… to lesser-known locations that even many Hanoi locals rarely notice:

1. North Gate (Cửa Bắc): The old gate of the Hanoi Citadel, where bullet marks left by the French during their invasion of Vietnam can still be seen.
2. The French Quarter: Featuring an old cathedral, a historic water tower, and classic French colonial villas.
3. Mass Grave (Optional): The burial site of victims of the 1945 famine. Here, you will hear a sorrowful storey of the Vietnamese people, when millions lost their lives during this tragic historical famine.
4. Hanoi Opera House and the French Quarter: An area often called “a miniature Paris,” with beautiful French architecture and the setting of many major historical events in Vietnam.
5. 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.”
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. The historical marker of US Senator John McCain: McCain was a former US pilot captured during the Vietnam War, who later returned to the United States, became a senator, and came close to becoming president before losing to President Obama. His storey helps illustrate the reconciliation between Vietnam and the US, as well as the Vietnamese people’s desire for friendship and peace.