Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour in Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam

Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour

Outty Ranking 53 4.0 · 2 traveler reviews7 hoursFrom $73
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Outty Ranking

53/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.0/5

Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour worth booking?

Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour is a 7-hour experience in Hanoi, Vietnam, from $73 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
53 / 100
Rating
4/5 (2)
Duration
7 hours
From
$73 per person

-Travel to the most iconic destinations in Hanoi, learning about the rich and unique history of this city, with our knowledgable guides, every question of you will be answered, The Temple of Literature - The first university of Vietnam, the spiritual Tran Quoc pagoda with its Buddism features, The Street Of Love, , Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex , Hoa Lo prison where shreds of the evidence of the war still remain here. - Not only that, enjoy a water puppet show, an art form that dates back to the 11th century. The tradition of water puppet theatre stems from a time when rice paddy fields were flooded and villagers would make entertainment by standing in the waist-deep water with the puppets performing over the water.

What you get

    About this experience

    -Travel to the most iconic destinations in Hanoi, learning about the rich and unique history of this city, with our knowledgable guides, every question of you will be answered, The Temple of Literature - The first university of Vietnam, the spiritual Tran Quoc pagoda with its Buddism features, The Street Of Love, , Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex , Hoa Lo prison where shreds of the evidence of the war still remain here. - Not only that, enjoy a water puppet show, an art form that dates back to the 11th century. The tradition of water puppet theatre stems from a time when rice paddy fields were flooded and villagers would make entertainment by standing in the waist-deep water with the puppets performing over the water.

    What's included

    Included

    • Lunch
    • Entrance fees
    • one bottle of water/ person
    • In-vehicle air conditioning

    Not included

    • Personal fee
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

      8:30 am, ready to start the tour. Firstly visit Ho Chi Minh Complex; Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his house on stilts, the botanical garden, and the Presidential Palace while learning about his life and revolutionary activities. This used to be the residence of the Governor of Indochina. After 1954 it was named the Presidential Palace and became the place where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked until he passed away in 1969. On the way out visit the One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong according to his dream of Bodhisattva sitting on a lotus flower and leading him to the pagoda. In 1954, the pagoda was destroyed by the French before their withdrawal. After taking over the city on October 10th, 1954, Vietnam Ministry of Culture restored the pagoda. The pagoda of today remains since this restoration

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    2. -Around 11:00 am arrive at the Temple of Literature. This is the combination of the Confucius Temple which was built in 1070 and the first Royal National university in Vietnam built 6 years later in 1076. Considered as 'an escape' from the bustling city, this temple and its beautiful garden provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent times. -12:00am, enjoy a delicious lunch in local restaurant with traditional local Vietnamese Cuisines

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Hoa Lo Prison

      13.00am, continue to visit Vietnamese History the Hoa Lo Prison Museum ironically nicknamed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ by US prisoners of war (POWs) during the American War. Most exhibits relate to the prison’s use up to the mid-1950s, focusing on the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France. A gruesome relic is the ominous French guillotine, used to behead Vietnamese revolutionaries. There are also displays focusing on the American pilots who were incarcerated at Hoa Lo during the American War.hese pilots include Pete Peterson (the first US ambassador to a unified Vietnam in 1995) and Senator John McCain (the Republican nominee for the US presidency in 2008). McCain’s flight suit is displayed, along with a photograph of Hanoi locals rescuing him from Truc Bach Lake after being shot down in 1967.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    4. Chua Tran Quoc

      15:30pm, Continue to visit the interesting Pagoda :Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest of its kind in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 - 548). The Buddhist shrine has undergone several changes throughout the years, particularly it's renaming from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (protecting the country) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    5. Thang Long Water Puppet

      - Enjoy a traditional Water Puppet show, an art form that dates back to the 11th century. The tradition of water puppet theatre stems from a time when rice paddy fields were flooded and villagers would make entertainment by standing in the waist-deep water with the puppets performing over the water. Using large rods to support the puppets it appeared as if they were moving across the water with the puppeteers hidden behind a screen.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 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 12 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Vitawell Travel

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour in Hanoi, photo 2Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour in Hanoi, photo 3Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour in Hanoi, photo 4Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour in Hanoi, photo 5Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour in Hanoi, photo 6Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour in Hanoi, photo 7

    Traveler reviews

    2 verified traveler reviews for Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1
    4 star
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    3 star
    1
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    Josephine_R · March 2025

    Bad communication with tour operator and guide

    City highlights itinerary Is good. Hard to follow guide around especially when we’re navigating in the crowded streets to the water puppet show. We were led to the entrance and let go in the long line. No further assistance given. Transportation was included supposedly in our payment but very frustrating and stressful to meet with an Uber car in whatever street it was. We finally gave up the Uber idea and hailed a taxi back to the hotel. The tour operator was kind enough to reimburse us for the taxi fare. Guide appears not to be so experienced to lead a group of people in such a busy Hanoi.

    via Viator

    Muhammad Rasool S · November 2019

    Muhammad Rasool Seelab

    I had a very fabolous day with the staff of vitawell travel, enjoyed my city tour I would recommend it to anyone who really likes to have a city tour.

    via Tripadvisor

    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
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Vitawell Travel, who run 12 experiences we rank across 6 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.3.

    See everything Vitawell Travel runs

    Why this scores 53

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)84
    Review evidence (18% weight)17
    Booking momentum (14% weight)13
    Value for money (12% weight)27
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)40
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Hanoi.

    How much does Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour cost?

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    Prices start at $73 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 Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour 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 Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 2 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 Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour?

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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 Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour 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 Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour?

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    Around 1 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 Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour 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 Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour?

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    Included: Lunch; Entrance fees; one bottle of water/ person; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Personal fee; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2 listed pickup locations in and around Hanoi. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour 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 Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour?

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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 Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour.

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