Your second day will be dedicated to a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Hanoi, focusing on its most significant attractions. The tour begins at Ba Dinh Square, a site of profound historical importance where Ho Chi Minh proclaimed Vietnam’s independence after centuries of monarchy. Surrounding Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, located at the rear of the square, you’ll have ample opportunities for photography. From here, a leisurely stroll through the adjacent Presidential Palace gardens is highly recommended. As you wander, you’ll encounter charming scenes such as a large, picturesque fish pond, the wooden stilt house where Ho Chi Minh spent his final years, and the concrete house where he passed away. Before leaving, be sure to visit the renowned One-Pillar Pagoda, designed in the likeness of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy and compassion in Chinese mythology.

Next, you’ll visit Quan Thanh Temple, a traditional Taoist temple dedicated to Hanoi’s divine protector, Huyen Thien Tran Vu. Inside, on the main altar, stands a massive bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu, towering at 4 meters high and weighing an impressive 4 tons. This statue, a masterpiece of 17th-century bronze craftsmanship, is officially recognized as a national treasure. As you continue your walk along the lakeside, you’ll pass the John McCain Memorial, commemorating the former U.S. Senator and Navy pilot who was famously shot down over Hanoi during the Vietnam War in 1967.

After lunch, the tour resumes with a visit to the Temple of Literature and the attached Noble Academy, showcasing beautifully restored architecture that preserves the legacy of Vietnam’s imperial education. A highlight of this complex is the collection of stone stelae, which bear the names of successful mandarin examinees over many centuries. The final stop of the day will be the Museum of Vietnamese Women, offering a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s history and culture through the experiences of its resilient and determined women, especially during the wartime era.