Hanoi city tour – To He

Overview

After having breakfast at the hotel around 8:30 am, we’ll begin our day with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology. This captivating museum showcases the diverse cultures of Vietnam’s 54 officially recognized ethnic groups, both indoors and outdoors. Step the informative indoor exhibition, then venture the museum’s garden, where you’ll find fascinating traditional houses representing various minority groups, the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands.

Next, we’ll continue our exploration by visiting the Temple of Literature, a venerable site constructed in 1070 to pay homage to Confucius. As the first university of Vietnam, this place also serves as a tribute to the eighty-two Vietnamese doctorates who triumphed over rigorous exams during the medieval era. Their names, birth dates, and birthplaces are engraved on headstones resting upon stone tortoises. Legend has it that touching the tortoises’ heads brings good fortune. The serene green compound, with its well-maintained lawns, gardens, and lotus ponds, offers a tranquil escape the city’s hustle and bustle.

In the afternoon, we’ll embark on a journey through the Ho Chi Minh Complex, a significant destination in Hanoi. The complex comprises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. This visit will give us deep insights the life and legacy of an influential figure in Vietnamese history.

Later in the day, we’ll have the opportunity to experience Tohe (Tò He) for about 30-50 minutes. Tò he, or toy figurines, are traditional toys made glutinous rice powder. Crafted in the form of edible animals, flowers, or characters folk stories, Tò he used to be exclusively made and sold during festivals, especially the Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which are much-loved celebrations among Vietnamese children.

Itinerary