Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 25 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port worth booking?
Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port is a 7-hour experience in Hanoi, Vietnam, from $45 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 25 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (25)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $45 per person
Hanoi Capital is located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart, Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Sightseeing with a Local Guide; water puppets performance; visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Presidential Palace, and Temple of Literature.
What you get
- Private, Customized and Flexible Tour
- Vietnamese Traditional Lunch
- Cruise Port Pickup and Drop-off
- All Entrance Fees
- Professional Tour Guide
About this experience
Hanoi Capital is located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart, Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Sightseeing with a Local Guide; water puppets performance; visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Presidential Palace, and Temple of Literature.
What's included
Included
- Private, Customized and Flexible Tour
- Vietnamese Traditional Lunch
- Cruise Port Pickup and Drop-off
- All Entrance Fees
- Professional Tour Guide
Not included
- Personal expenses
What you'll see and do
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a mausoleum which serves as the resting place of Vietnamese Revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a large building located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, where Ho, Chairman of the Workers' Party of Vietnam from 1951 until his death in 1969, read the Declaration of Independence on 2 September 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. It is also known as Ba Đình Mausoleum and is open to the public.
45 minutes here · Admission included
One Pillar Pagoda
The One Pillar Pagoda is a historic Buddhist temple in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. It is regarded alongside the Perfume Temple, as one of Vietnam's two most iconic temples.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Chua Tran Quoc
The Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi is the oldest pagoda in the city, originally constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De (from 544 until 548), thus giving it an age of more than 1,450 years. When founded the temple was named Khai Quoc (National Founding) and was sited on the shores of the Red River, outside of the Yen Phu Dyke. When confronted with the river's encroachment, the temple was relocated in 1615 to Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) islet of Ho Tay (West Lake) where it is now situated. A small causeway links it to the mainland.
30 minutes here
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
The royal enclosure was first built during the Ly dynasty (1010) and subsequently expanded by the Tran, Le and finally the Nguyen dynasty. It remained the seat of the Vietnamese court until 1810, when the Nguyen dynasty chose to move the capital to Hue. The ruins roughly coincide with the Hanoi Citadel today. The royal palaces and most of the structures in Thăng Long were in varying states of disrepair by the late 19th century with the upheaval of the French conquest of Hanoi. By the 20th century many of the remaining structures were torn down. Only in the 21st century are the ruin foundations of Thang Long Imperial City systematically excavated. In mid-1945 the Citadel was used by the Imperial Japanese Army to imprison over 4000 French colonial soldiers captured during the Japanese coup d'état in French Indochina in March 1945. The central sector of the imperial citadel was listed in UNESCO's World Heritage Site on July 31, 2010 at its session in Brazil, as "The Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long – Hanoi”.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa Lo Prison was a prison used by the French colonists in French Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period it was known to American POWs as the Hanoi Hilton. The prison was demolished during the 1990s, although the gatehouse remains as a museum.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is the name commonly given to the historical civic urban core of Hanoi, located outside the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. This quarter used to be the residential, manufacturing and commercial center, where each street was specialized in one specific type of manufacturing or commerce. Another common name referring to approximately the same area is the 36 streets, after the 36 streets or guilds that used to make up the urban area of the city.
45 minutes here
Hoan Kiem Walking Street
Hoan Kiem Lake, meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of the Restored Sword"), also known as Hồ Gươm (Sword Lake), is a fresh water lake, measuring some 12 ha in the historical center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. In the past, the lake was variously name "Luc Thuy Lake", meaning "Green Water Lake" - aptly named for the water's color) or "Thuy Quan Lake", meaning "Mariner's Lake". The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life.
30 minutes here
Temple of Literature & National University
The Temple of Literature is a Temple of Confucius in Hanoi, northern Vietnam. The temple hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam's first national university. The temple was built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. It is one of several temples in Vietnam which is dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. The temple is located to the south of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. The various pavilions, halls, statues and stelae of doctors are places where offering ceremonies, study sessions and the strict exams of the Dai Viet took place. The temple is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese Dong banknote. Just before the Vietnamese New Year celebration Tet, calligraphists will assemble outside the temple and write wishes in Han characters. The art works are given away as gifts or are used as home decorations for special occasions.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Duờng Tau
Hanoi train street is one of the most curious places to discover in this city, which attracts flocks of tourists every day. It's the single-track railway that runs through the streets of Hanoi Old Quarter has been there since the 20th century, during the French colonial period. The railway is still active nowadays. The hot spot that used to drive photoholic crazy is the railway section on Phung Hung, Dien Bien Phu, and Le Duan streets.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Maximus Travel Vietnam
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 25 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
25 verified traveler reviews for Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day in Hanoi
This was a fantastic tour Anh was an incredible guide and tailored the tour specifically to us. When we advised him of our need for Gluten Free food and showed him several restaurants on Find me GF he said he knew one and proceeded to make a reservation and pick several traditional dishes for us that were all wonderful. He asked what we wanted to see and made recommendations to of some less tourist sights. Our driver Mr Sun was also very kind and friendly. An amazing day! Highly recommend.
via Viator
Didn't know
You need to go to app to get pick-up info. We were not told this. We looked for an email after getting confirmation of booking and ticket. Consequently we were unable to connect with the driver. Luckily another tour operator was finally able to find him for us.
via Viator
Enjoyable day in Hanoi!
Dannie and Tam were great! We saw sights in Hanoi that we have never seen before.
via Tripadvisor
Best Tour and Guide!
Donie, (or Dan the Man, as we called him), was a fantastic tour guide and we loved the entire day. His English was excellent and very easy to understand. . After a convenient pickup from our port, we traveled by luxury, air conditioned van to Hanoi. We learned a lot about the Hanoi culture and history along the way, and the time flew by. We stopped to visit a factory where art pieces are hand sewn. Our tour guide, Donie, was fantastic, telling us all about the the farming areas, pointing out the rice paddies, oyster farms, (where pearls are harvested), mango, lychee, and coconut trees. After arriving in Hanoi, we first visited the Ho Chi Minh museum. The large area also had One Pillar Pagoda, and Lady Buddha, in close proximity so there wasn’t too much walking. From there, we enjoyed a delicious Vietnamese lunch in the city’s Old Quarter, and then went to Train street, where the street vendors brought their stores to us while we were sitting and waiting for the train. Donie did a fabulous job at having everything reserved for us so there was never a wait for lunch or on Train Street where it was crowded. We also learned more about Vietnamese history at the prison, known as the “Hanoi Hilton”, where are American POW‘s were held during the war. I can’t imagine having a more well-rounded experience for our first time in Vietnam.
via Tripadvisor
Best tour of our
Our tour of Hanoi was amazing and our guide was excellent. He catered the tour to what we wanted to see and we even ate lunch where President Obama went and went to the train market. He was very informative, helpful and friendly. This was our favourite tour of our trip to Asia
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $45 to $165
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Maximus Travel Vietnam, who run 10 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.2.
See everything Maximus Travel Vietnam runsWhy this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Hanoi.
How much does Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port cost?
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Prices start at $45 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Hanoi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Hanoi is not rushed.
Is Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 25 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Hanoi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port?
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Around 9 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Hanoi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Hanoi and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Hanoi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Hanoi?
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On Outty we rank every Hanoi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Ha Giang Loop 3-Day Small Group - from Hanoi, (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR, Incense Village Quang Phu Cau, Hat Village and Hanoi City Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Hanoi?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port?
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Included: Private, Customized and Flexible Tour; Vietnamese Traditional Lunch; Cruise Port Pickup and Drop-off; All Entrance Fees; and Professional Tour Guide. Not included: Personal expenses. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 3 listed pickup locations in and around Hanoi. Be ready about 5 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Hanoi. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Best of Private Hanoi City Shore Excursion from Halong Bay Port?
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Across 25 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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