08.00AM, 09.00 AM , 02.00PM or 05.00 PM : 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 St. Joseph's Cathedral (Nha Tho Lon) then to explore the statue of Ly Thai To, to the east of Hoan Kiem lake. From there walk east along Le Thach Street. Opposite the end of Le Thach 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. Its recently discovered war-time bomb shelter is now open to visitors .
Turn left at the the end, by the roundabout, and come face to face with the imposing Opera House. Given the amount of traffic that passes here, it’s tricky to get a clear view — or photo — but it’s certainly photogenic. 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.
Walk to the left of the Opera House and 100 metres or so along Trang Tien is theNational 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, which on warm evenings heaves with young people stopping off on motorbikes.
At the end of our tour you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you with directions or a taxi back to your hotel.
