
Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day)
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 99 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day) worth booking?
Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day) is a 3-hour experience in Hanoi, Vietnam, from $5 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 99 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (99)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $5 per person
Experience Hanoi like a local and tour the city’s attractions with the kids who live there. Explore Hanoi with 2 famous destination: Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour . See the main city sights, that all provide a great way to get culturally connected.
What you get
About this experience
Experience Hanoi like a local and tour the city’s attractions with the kids who live there. Explore Hanoi with 2 famous destination: Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour . See the main city sights, that all provide a great way to get culturally connected.
What's included
Included
- English speaking local student
Not included
- Transfer fees (if any)
- Entrance fees ( tour guide and customer)
- Personal expenses (foods, drinks, tips).
What you'll see and do
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
We can start the tour at 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM depending on your booking. Our tour guide will welcome you at your hotel and then take you to the Ho Chi Minh complex – the huge construction to express the pride of Vietnamese people to the very first president – Ho Chi Minh (or Uncle Ho), the National Liberation Hero, who founded the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. You can take the chance to visit: 1. Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. The Mausoleum, which was made of marble and granite, features a three-stored structure. In the second store places the famous President’s body, lying as if he were sleeping in the simple clothes worn when he was alive. Notes: Opening time: 5 days per week, except Monday and Friday. Cold seasons (from November to March) 8:00 a.m – 11:00 a.m Hot seasons (from April to October): 7:30 a.m – 10:30 a.m Closed once per year in October/ November/or December for the body maintenance No camera, cell phone, bare-shoulder T-shirts, or mini skirts are allowed inside
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Ba Dinh Square
2. Ba Dinh square This is where Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum lies, is a historical site where President Ho Chi Minh read the Independence Declaration of Vietnam on September 2nd, 1945.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House
Refusing to live in the Presidential palace, President Ho Chi Minh lived in a normal electrician’s house nearby. The house has two floors and the beloved President lived here from 1958 until he passed away.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
One Pillar Pagoda
4. One Pillar Pagoda An ancient pagoda built in 1049 under the Ly Dynasty. There’s an interesting legend referring the construction of the pagoda, telling that King Ly Thanh Tong had this pagoda constructed in the shape of a lotus, based upon his fairy dream, thanks to which he was given a baby boy. Notes: Opening time: The pagoda is open daily from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Entrance is free. Remember to wear full-length clothes when you visit any pagoda.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Ho Chi Minh Museum
5. Ho Chi Minh Museum The museum was built in the shape of a white lotus flower, which is nearly 20m high, including 3 floors. More than 2,000 documents and show-pieces are displayed, systematically reflecting President Ho Chi Minh’s life and revolution cause since late 19th century. Coming here, tourists can share a part of Ho Chi Minh’s tough life.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Temple of Literature & National University
After that, you will have time to visit the Temple of Literature – the first University of Vietnam and also the place to worship the Confucius. This is often cited as one of Hanoi’s most picturesque tourist attractions. Originally built as a university in 1070 dedicated to Confucius, scholars and sages, the building is extremely well preserved and is a superb example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture. This ancient site offers a lake of literature, the Well of Heavenly Clarity, turtle steles, pavilions, courtyards and passageways that were once used by royalty. Visiting the Temple of Literature you will discover historic buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties in a revered place that has seen thousands of doctors’ graduate in what has now become a memorial to education and literature. Tour ends around 12:00 PM (for the morning tour) or 5:00 PM (for the afternoon tour).
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Hanoi
We pick-up at entrance of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We pick-up at entrance of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Options you can book
Morning tour
Duration: 3 hours Departure time
Afternoon tour
Duration: 3 hours
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Red Gecko Travel
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- 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 99 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
99 verified traveler reviews for Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Informative tour with an excellent guide.
Amazing tour, Kokonut was excellent very knowledgeable and friendly to be around, speaks perfect English as well ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommended tour
A brilliant morning touring the Ho Chi Min museum and temple of literature with local student guide Kokonut. He was enthusiastic, funny and very knowledgeable. He alsovery kindly gave us a ride between the sites. The communication was really good, meaning arranging pickup was easy. Would highly recommend this tour.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent Tour with Quynh
Quynh gave us an excellent tour of the Area around the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum after which we visited the beautiful Temple of Literature. On top of the historical and religious facts, she added very interesting side notes and personal anecdotes. She helped us take photos, gave recommendations for the rest of our trip and even taught us some Vietnamese. We enjoyed the tour very much and having Quynh to answer our many questions was brilliant. Cam on Quynh!
Response from the operator: Going beyond standard historical facts to share personal anecdotes is exactly what makes our organization so special, Matthias. We are absolutely delighted that Quynh brilliantly answered all your questions and even taught you some Vietnamese while guiding you through the Ho Chi Minh Complex and the beautiful Temple of Literature. Your warm "Cam on Quynh" is the best reward she could ask for, and we sincerely appreciate you sharing this excellent review.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent
~Quỳnh Trần( Alice) was wonderfull guide . She was communicated with very good English , she was very cheerful and pleasant with good knowledge about the area and very patient .we recommend her
Response from the operator: We are absolutely thrilled that Quỳnh Trần (Alice) delivered such an excellent experience for you and your partner during the half-day tour, Sunny. It is fantastic to know that her cheerful personality, patience, and fluent English helped you understand the local area so well. Your kind recommendation means the world to our team, and we wish you both a lovely continuation of your travels.
via Tripadvisor
Best experience and must do when in Hanoi!!!
I went to a history/old quarter tour with May. It was honestly one of the best things of my whole Vietnam trip. She knew so much about the history and all the places. She was also a great person to be around. I cannot recommend this tour enough. It is so interesting to talk to a local and get shown around. She even gave me restaurants recommendations and tailored the tour to my requests. Worth every cent!! I will definitely do this again if I come back. Thank you again May! Best regards, Zoe
Response from the operator: Hearing that your history walking tour with May was one of the best experiences of your entire Vietnam trip truly warms our hearts, Zoe. We are thrilled that her excellent historical knowledge, tailored itinerary, and friendly personality made exploring the city with a local so enjoyable for you. Thank you for highly recommending our student team, and we would be absolutely delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Hanoi.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $5 to $10
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 35
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Red Gecko Travel, who run 69 experiences we rank across 10 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 46.3.
See everything Red Gecko Travel runsWhy this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Hanoi.
How much does Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day) cost?
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Prices start at $5 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 Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day) take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 99 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable family friendly in Hanoi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day)?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day) suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day)?
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Around 35 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day) 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 Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day)?
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Included: English speaking local student. Not included: Transfer fees (if any); Entrance fees ( tour guide and customer); and Personal expenses (foods, drinks, tips). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day)?
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We pick-up at entrance of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day) 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 Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day)?
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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 Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day) wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day) 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.
What do travelers say about Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day)?
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Across 99 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
What booking options are available for Ho Chi Minh Complex & Temple of Literature Tour (half day)?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Morning tour, Afternoon tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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