Hanoi City Highlights Walking Tour – Landmarks & History

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Hanoi

Duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Languages: German, English, Spanish and French

Guru: Free Walking Tours Hanoi

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Registered on 2 March 2021

We are a passionate team with a vision of delivering to travellers the best and most exciting experiences in Hanoi. We deliver a platform for professional, fully licenced, tour guides to lead walking and food tours at no upfront cost. Enjoy a quality sightseeing experience whatever your budget. Everyone should be able to enjoy a guided tour for a price they consider appropriate – even free. We believe that all of our representatives offer our unique style of guiding; mixing culture, tradition, history and engaging storytelling, allowing the guides own ability and personality to shine through.

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

Hanoi City Highlights Walking Tour – Landmarks & History

Step into the heart of Hanoi and discover the city beyond its busy Old Quarter. Our journey begins at Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, where peace and history blend on the shores of West Lake. From there, we walk through tree-lined avenues and hidden corners, hearing stories that reveal the soul of the city.

At Ba Dinh Square, we explore landmarks that shaped Vietnam’s modern history: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and the National Assembly Hall. This is where the nation’s past and present meet.

Finally, we conclude at the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, a tranquil site filled with centuries of wisdom, Confucian traditions, and inspiring legends.

What makes this tour different is the depth of storytelling: you’ll not only see Hanoi’s monuments but also understand the culture, beliefs, and resilience of its people. Along the way, our passionate guides share anecdotes, local insights, and personal recommendations to help you connect with the city on a deeper level.

Join us for this free walking tour - book your spot today and experience Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks with us.

Details:

• Duration: Approx. 3 hours

• Cost: It’s free! (Tips are appreciated if you enjoyed the tour)

• Language: English, Spanish, German…

• Start point: Provided upon booking

• Note: Please share your WhatsApp contact so our guide can confirm the meeting point and send you tour updates.

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

Đ. Thanh Niên, Yên Phụ, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội, Vietnam

I’ll be waiting at the Main Gate of Tran Quoc Pagoda, wearing a green hat with our Free Walking Tours logo.

Free entry

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Tran Quoc Pagoda – The Oldest Pagoda in Hanoi Situated on a small island in West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, founded in the 6th century under Emperor Ly Nam De. Its striking red-brick stupa and serene setting make it both a spiritual landmark and a symbol of Vietnam’s Buddhist heritage. Visitors cross a charming causeway to reach the temple grounds, where they can see the 11-story stupa, an ancient Bodhi tree gifted from India, and statues of Buddha in various postures. The t

Outside visit

John McCain Memorial

John McCain Memorial – A Site of History and Reconciliation Located by Trúc Bạch Lake, the John McCain Memorial marks the spot where the U.S. senator’s plane was shot down during the Vietnam War in 1967. The stone monument shows a relief of McCain’s capture, with inscriptions in Vietnamese describing the event. Though modest in size, the site carries powerful symbolism. John McCain spent over five years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi, yet later became a key figure in normalizing U.S.–Vietnam relations.

Outside visit

West Lake (Hồ Tây)

West Lake (Hồ Tây) – Hanoi’s Largest Lake West Lake, located in Tây Hồ District, is the biggest freshwater lake in Hanoi with a shoreline of over 17 km. Visitors can explore iconic sites like Trấn Quốc Pagoda, enjoy peaceful sunset views, and relax in lakeside cafés and restaurants. Its mix of history and modern lifestyle makes it a favorite escape from the city’s bustle.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).