After a peaceful night’s sleep, we set off to explore Hanoi with our guide Brian. The busy streets, historic landmarks and fascinating temples gave us a wonderful introduction to Vietnam’s capital.

We then visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It was closed for renovation that morning, but we were still able to admire the imposing grey building and watch the guards standing to attention at the entrance. The visit offered an interesting glimpse into Vietnam’s history and the importance of Ho Chi Minh to the country.

Our lunch stop was the now-famous Obama Noodle House, where former US President Barack Obama enjoyed a bowl of bún chả during his visit to Hanoi in 2016. The restaurant had become a popular attraction, and it was fascinating to see the photographs commemorating his visit. The meal was simple, tasty and a welcome break before we continued our afternoon sightseeing.

After a very pleasant lunch, we resumed our whistle-stop tour of Hanoi. Our next visit was Tran Quoc Pagoda, situated on a small island beside West Lake. Dating back to the sixth century, it is one of Vietnam’s oldest Buddhist temples. The impressive nine-tiered pagoda was a particularly striking sight.

Our afternoon continued with a visit to the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. With its traditional Vietnamese architecture, peaceful courtyards and historic buildings, it was once a centre of learning for scholars. The temple grounds were busy with visitors, including graduating students having photographs taken to mark their special day.

After a fascinating afternoon exploring Hanoi’s historic sights, we returned to the hotel for a welcome shower and a little rest. Brian had arranged dinner at a local restaurant serving a variety of Vietnamese dishes. Although he didn’t join us, everything had been organised perfectly. Many thanks to Brian, our driver and Rubicon Tours for an excellent day discovering Hanoi’s history and culture.

After dinner, we enjoyed a walk back along Ma May Street, stopping at the RockStore, Hanoi’s answer to the Hard Rock Cafe. It was noisy and crowded, but the beer was cold and reasonably priced! It made a lively end to an interesting day exploring Hanoi. We then returned to Maison D’Hanoi for a well-deserved night’s sleep, ready for whatever the following day had in store.