A new bus city tour will take tourists on a journey through the Old Quarter and along West Lake. Photo courtesy of Hanoi Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company

HÀ NỘI A new bus tour has been launched in Hà Nội, offering tourists an additional way to explore the cultural and historical landmarks and scenic attractions of the capital city.

The hop on and hop off sightseeing tour, entitled Thăng Long Thắng Cảnh (The Scenic Spots of Thăng Long) and operated by the Hà Nội Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company, will take tourists on a journey through the Old Quarter and along West Lake. The single-deck open-top buses can accommodate 20 people and are equipped with audio guides in five languages: Vietnamese, English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.

The tour service starts at 9am and ends at 6:30pm at Hồ Gươm (Sword Lake) from Tuesdays to Saturdays, and at Hà Nội Opera House on Sundays. The buses operate with a frequency of every 30 minutes.

Travellers can get off and explore at 13 famous attractions along the route, including Đồng Xuân Market, Long Biên Bridge, Trấn Quốc Pagoda, Hydroplane Dock, Võng Thị Temple, Tảo Sách Pagoda, Kim Liên Pagoda, Imperial Citadel, Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Hỏa Lò Prison, and Hà Nội Opera House. At each location, they can catch the next bus to continue their journey.

The Scenic Spots of Thăng Long tour aims to offer new experience to tourists to Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo

Tickets could be bought directly at booths nearby either Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục Square or Hà Nội Opera House, or via the website hncitytour.vn. Prices range from VNĐ100,000 to 250,000 (US$4-11). Tickets are free for children under six years old.

One of the first tourists joining The Scenic Spots of Thăng Long tour, Nguyễn Ngọc Tiến from the northern province of Bắc Ninh was impressed with the new experience.

"Hà Nội boasts of its Old Quarter with small narrow streets. The new bus city tour passes through Hàng Ngang, Hàng Đào, Long Biên Bridge and West Lake that are famous landmarks with ancient craft villages, temples, and pagodas. The journey is very interesting,” he said.

The two other bus city tours use two big double deckers that mainly pass through major streets. VNS