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Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Path of History & Bomb Shelter Tour

A journey through time in the heart of Hanoi

Join our historians on daily tours delving into the hotel's storied past, from hosting renowned guests like Graham Greene to serving as a wartime bomb shelter.

Details

Since 1901, the Grand Dame of Hanoi has borne witness to the triumphs and tragedies of 20th-century Vietnam. Discover its turbulent history as a destination of choice in French Indochina, and listen to stories of courage forged during its time as an air-raid shelter.

Tours with our resident historians are complimentary and offered exclusively for hotel guests at 5pm and 6pm daily.

Please book in advance by contacting our Concierge team.

Shelter during a time of need

The Metropole’s underground bunker complex once served as a bomb shelter protecting the hotel guests from air raids during the war in the 1960s and ‘70s, including famous visitors such as singer Joan Baez and actress Jane Fonda.

The bunker was sealed after the war ended, and only rediscovered by chance during renovations of the Bamboo Bar in 2011.

Uncover layers of history

The bunker was carefully restored and reopened in 2012 to honour the profound courage of our Metropole Ambassadors and the enduring resilience of Hanoi during those challenging times.

In 2013, in recognition of its efforts to preserve special historical values, Metropole Hanoi was honoured with a UNESCO Award for Cultural Heritage.

Today, the bomb shelter stands as a poignant reminder of the past – a space that invites reflection on the stories, struggles, and strength woven into the hotel and the nation’s legacy.

Walk in the footsteps of icons

The Metropole has hosted famous guests for decades, including British writers W. Somerset Maugham and Graham Greene and actor Charlie Chaplin; the three Legendary Suites are named in their honour.

Follow in their footsteps on our Path of History tour and immerse yourself in the heritage and glamour of Hanoi’s Grand Dame, before unwinding and tasting a signature Graham Greene martini at the poolside Bamboo Bar.

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