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15 Best Day Trips from Hanoi

Hanoi is the ancient capital of Vietnam. It’s a city that can trace its long lineage back thousands of years; a city that has seen many different people and cultures come and go and leave their marks on the land through the ages.

From the Chinese to the French, there are influences in the food, architecture, and language of Hanoi from across the world.

In recent years, the northern Vietnamese city has slowly begun to open itself up to tourism, as the locals shrug off repression and open their doors.

It’s an interesting city to visit, and Hanoi’s prime location and position as the capital makes it an excellent place from which to explore the rest of the north of the country.

The iconic Halong Bay, with its floating villages and towering limestone karst rocks, is found on the nearby coastline, while ancient temples and traditional villages can be found across the spectacular, verdant countryside.

There are plenty of day trip opportunities from Hanoi, and here are the best of them.

1. Halong Bay

A trip to Halong Bay is top of any travelers list when visiting the north of Vietnam.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most world-renowned natural wonders in Southeast Asia – to miss seeing it in person would be a travesty.

Yes, it can be busy and touristy, but this attraction far exceeds its reputation and will leave you reeling from shock when you see the beauty.

Tall, limestone karsts are arrayed across the water for miles and there are many hidden caves and coves waiting to be explored.

There are almost 2000 individual islands in the area – it would be impossible to explore every single one.

The best way to see Halong Bay on a day trip, is, of course, to take a cruise through the spectacular scenery.

Recommended tour : Halong Day Tour: Islands, Caves, Kayak with Dragonfly Cruise

2. Haiphong

Haiphong is a sprawling, industrial city on the coast, used by some as a gateway to Halong Bay but not truly really visited by many for long.

Give the city a chance though – look past the urban, steely gaze and explore the unique, French styled, colonial architecture that’s found in the old center and the hidden but surprisingly green, tree-filled parks.

There is an intriguing museum where you can learn more about this overlooked Vietnamese city, while you can visit the Du Hang Pagoda to see more of the Buddhist influence too.

3. Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba is the largest of the many islands off the coast of Vietnam.

It’s found at the southern edge of Halong Bay; from the seafront, you see the thousands of other islands sprawled across the horizon.

As well as being an entrance point to the famous bay, it’s also an interesting destination in its own right, offering visitors a vast, green national park to explore.

The scenery here is wild and untouched, and the island is only sparsely populated, meaning there is a lot of that wild scenery to go around.

Explore the national park and make sure to visit the intriguing Cave Hospital, which was hidden away in the forests and used during the Vietnam War.

Available 2 day cruise : Mon Chéri Cruise 5 Star: Unique 2 Days Halong Bay & Cat Ba

4. Ninh Binh

As far as northern Vietnamese cities go, Ninh Binh is very much an unknown and unexplored destination.

Found just 100 kilometers to the south of Hanoi, it makes for an excellent, off the beaten track day trip.

Ninh Binh can’t remain hidden for long though, because it is utterly spectacular.

The area is a maze of rivers and waterways, as this is the Red River Delta.

There are beautifully green rice paddies and grazing pastures, while the Phat Diem Cathedral is an iconic piece of Christian history to be seen.

Hoa Lu is one of Vietnam’s historical capital cities, an ancient place that was once the center of life and politics during the middle ages.

Although it was superseded by Hanoi, it remains an important tourist destination.

It’s found close to Ninh Binh – but certainly worth a day trip by itself – and is in a beautiful location, surrounded by rivers and high limestone rocks.

The setting is as dramatic as it gets anywhere in Vietnam, but add to this the culture and immense history of Hoa Lu and you have one of the best sights in the country to see.

Top rated tour : Full Day Hoa Lu & Tam Coc: Small Group Tour & Buffet Lunch

6. Trang An

Trang An is one of the most incredible areas in the Ninh Binh district.

It’s not far from Hanoi, so this area of immense natural beauty is fast becoming a popular trip for those looking to escape the city and immerse themselves in greenery rather than concrete.

There is a vast network of rivers and deltas to explore, but the highlight is taking a boat to an enormous cave complex that’s hidden away in the mountains.

Available tour : Full-Day Trang An, Hoa Lu, Mua Cave – Group Tour with Lunch

7. Van Long

Van Long Nature Reserve is also found near Ninh Binh, and this scenic area of protected wilderness tends to be much quieter than the other points of interest in the region.

It’s the best place south of Hanoi to simply lose yourself in the vast beauty of Vietnam.

This is a haven for unique animals and wildlife too, and it’s becoming a favorite for bird watchers looking to spot many of the rare species found here, living along the river and amongst the limestone karsts that create such a domineering landscape.

8. Cuc Phuong

Cuc Phuong National Park is located to the south of Hanoi and it’s the largest national park in Vietnam.

It’s a huge area of protected land and offers visitors some of the best outdoor experiences in the country.

The scenery is magnificent, and there are many hikes through the park which allow you to enjoy that scenery at its best.

There’s also a fascinating primate rescue center to visit, where you can find out more about the rare and, in many cases, endangered species of monkey that are found in the wild here.

Ba Vi is a national park that’s found just 60 kilometers to the west of Hanoi’s city center.

It makes for an excellent outdoor day trip from the capital and is known for the many temples that are found in the forests here – some sit in striking position atop the various hills in the area.

There are waterfalls – even a water park nearby – and plenty of hikes to undertake amongst the beautiful scenery.

10. Mai Chau Valley

The Mai Chau Valley is the quintessential picture of Vietnam.

This breathtaking, green valley is exactly what you will imagine if you picture the Vietnamese countryside.

In fact, if you see a picture of the Vietnamese countryside, it might well be of the valley.

Extensive rice fields are surrounded by high hills and mountains, and life in the valley has changed little in hundreds of years.

It’s a refreshing escape from Hanoi, to the south-west of the city.

You can easily visit in a day, but many travelers will find themselves staying in this peaceful valley for much longer.

Suggested tour : 2-Day Mai Chau Valley Tour from Hanoi: Homestay, Bike & Trek

11. Perfume Pagoda

The Huong Pagoda, otherwise known as the Perfume Pagoda to tourists, is the centerpiece of a dramatic complex of temples and pagodas that are found in the spectacular mountains of Huong Tich, a place of limestone rocks and endless caves.

The Perfume Pagoda is incredibly popular with tourists, of course, because it’s close to Hanoi and is absolutely stunning.

But it’s also incredibly popular with Buddhist pilgrims; any day of the week you can expect the gates and steps to the temples to be very busy.

Get here as early as you can to enjoy any serenity.

Available tour : Full-Day Perfume Pagoda Small-Group Tour

12. Tam Dao Hill Station

Found in the cool hills to the north of Hanoi, the Tam Dao Hill Station makes for a spectacular – and at times cold – escape from Hanoi.

The hill station was originally built by the French, as the Europeans wanted to escape the heat of Hanoi in summer.

Now, it’s still used as a hilltop resort, but the French architecture is gone.

Views of the surrounding area are wonderful and there are many hiking opportunities to be had amongst the hills.

13. Ho Citadel

The Ho Citadel is another of Vietnam’s historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The citadel was constructed in the 14th Century, by the Ho Dynasty, and for years it was the ruler’s base of power in Vietnam.

Today, the walls have crumbled and the citadel was abandoned long ago, but it’s still well preserved, unique and very interesting for those who have a love of local history.

It takes about three hours to reach the Ho Citadel from Hanoi, but you can pass through the beautiful Ninh Binh province on the way, to make the journey seem to fly past as you admire the wonderful countryside.

14. Van Phuc

Van Phuc is just a few kilometers away from Hanoi, so this traditional Vietnamese village makes for an easy day trip from the city.

Van Phuc is the center of the ancient and very much refined craft of silk weaving.

Here, you can acquire some of the highest quality silk garments found anywhere in Asia, and of course, you can get them at a bargain price in comparison to many other countries.

15. Duong Lam

Duong Lam is known as the Ancient Village because this is an incredibly traditional and cultural place, found along the banks of the Red River.

It’s an old place and can trace its origins back thousands of years.

There are many traditional pagodas and houses, and it’s an excellent demonstration of Vietnamese history and tradition.

15 Best Day Trips from Hanoi:

• Cat Ba Island
• Mai Chau Valley
• Perfume Pagoda
• Tam Dao Hill Station

Top 22 Incredible Day Trips from Hanoi – Best Ideal for A Weekend Day Trips from Hanoi

22 Amazing Places You Should Visit For A Day Trips from Hanoi

If you are looking for a place to travel around Hanoi with your family and friends to take a rest and relax within the day to get away from the bustling and noisy of city, Hanoi Explore Travel will suggest 21 Most Cheap and Best weekend trips from Hanoi

Some of them are in the top 50 most beautiful places of Asia voted by many prestigious travel magazines around the world. These places are not only attractive but also very convenient for you to move and explore within the day.

What are you waiting for without choosing quickly the place to visit near Hanoi for couples falling in love and your family ? It will surely brings great experiences as well as profound knowledge about Vietnamese culture and traditions.

Table of Contents

Most Popular & Romantic Day Trips from Hanoi for Couples, Family

Ha long bay – an amazing & romantic day trip from hanoi .

• Address: Ha Phong, Halong City, Quang Ninh, Province. 170km from Hanoi
• Open in Google Maps

This unique UNESCO World Heritage is one of the best quality beach travel destinations near Hanoi for trips with family and friends . Ha Long is not only famous for its beautiful, blue beaches and majestic limestone mountains but also shimmering, spectacular, enchanting stalactites.

Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Labyrinth Cave, Virgin Cave and Drum Cave are the 6 most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay that you should explore.

In addition, you can also visit the coastal fishing villages such as Vung Vieng, Cua Van and Ba Hang fishing villages … this is not only an interesting stop for travelers who like to learning about fishing life of fishermen. It is also a great place to take photos .

More for you:

• How To Choose Your BEST Halong Bay 1 Day Cruise Tour?
• Only Halong Bay 1 Day – What to do 1 Day in Halong Bay?
• How to Make a Perfect Halong Bay Day Trip from Hanoi?

What should you travel ?

• Rowing Kayak
• Visiting fishing villages on the Bay
• Swimming in blue water
• Discovering beautiful caves
• Trying mountain climbing
• Participating in beach sports games
• Seeing Ha Long Bay from hovercraft

For travelers who feel that self-sufficient Ha Long tourism is difficult , annoying and time consuming , Hanoi Explore Travel recommends choosing a tour. Currently there are 2 forms of tour as follows:

• Free tour – “Free & Easy Tour”: Only shuttle bus and hotel .This is a new type of tour has appeared in Vietnam recently, for young people who want not to be constrained by a specific schedule but find it troublesome to find a way to go by themselves.
• Package tour: Including from A – Z as shuttle, tour schedule, dining, accommodation. Package tour helps you get many points but save time, effort and money. This type of tour can visit the Bay 4 hours, 6 hours by yacht. There are many travel and price options.

There is a lot of cheating here, so don’t forget to study and find out thoroughly before booking a tour!

>>> Immerse yourself into the majestic view of Halong bay with Bay Day Trip 6 Hour Cruise from Hanoi to have a reasonable itinerary for your day trip

Highlights of Halong Bay Day Trip 6 Hours Cruise

• Cruising for a full 6 hours around Halong Bay with a professional guide and crew
• Enjoy Vietnamese traditional Lunch with seafood
• Visit Titop Island, trekking Titop Peak for taking photos with panoramic view of the bay.
• Kayaking or taking a sampan boat around the gorgeous Luon Cave
• Swimming on Beach
• Discovering the mystical beauty and ancient history of Sung Sot Cave
• Enjoy Cooking Class on cruise
• All Included ( Only without drinks on Personal expenses )

Halong Bay Full Day Kayaking and Swimming

• Ha Long Bay day trip from Hanoi – the best choice when you do not have much time
• Rowing Kayak / bamboo boat around the bay and enjoying seafood lunch on the boat
• Exploring Sung Sot cave and Titop island
• Including hotel pick up and drop off in the center of Hanoi Old Quarter

>>> Pick a suitable of Halong Bay Day Trips and Cruises from Hanoi 

>>>  Check out more:

• A Halong Bay Day Cruise with an 8 Hour Tour Itinerary
• Halong Bay Cruise for 2 Days 1 Night

Cat Ba island – A Best Day Tour from Hanoi

•  Address : Tran Chau, Cat Hai, Hai Phong ( 150km from Hanoi )

 What’s interesting here?

• Swiming and exploring Monkey Island
• Rowing Kayak, scuba diving
• Watching the sunset at the cannon fortress
• Walking on the beach in the evening
• Visiting Lan Ha Bay
• Climbing the mountain
• Visiting Cat Ba National Park
• Visiting the caves
• Squid fishing & enjoying seafood
• Visiting Monkey Island

Cat Ba archipelago is also one of the famous tourist destinations near Hanoi – like Vien Dong pearl island. Coming to Cat Ba Island, you have to swimming . Scuba diving is also a favorite activity when visiting Cat Ba Island, if you are adventurous, you should especially try.

There are also many destinations with other interesting activities such as visiting Fortress, Cat Ba National Park, mangroves, kayaking on Lan Ha Bay, taking a boat to Monkey Island, …

Experience in visting Cat Ba Island

Instruction to Cat Ba Island

• From Hanoi, you can take Hoang Long bus from Nuoc Ngam bus station along the 5B highway to Ben Got, then by ferry or speedboat to Ca port , center of Cat Ba town.

When do you visit Cat Ba ?

Most of people go to Cat Ba in the summer. However, this is also the peak tourist season, so the service, dining and entertainment prices are quite expensive. If you plan to go on these occasions , you should proactively book and contact to agency providing catering and playing services first.

If you’re not a fan of crowds on the beach, you can charter a speedboat or rent a kayak to Monkey Island and Lan Ha Bay, where the beaches are cleaner and quieter.

Just about every tour company in Hanoi offers daily trips to the island, attracting travellers looking to enjoy a day of sightseeing during their holiday.

Lan Ha Bay – A wonderful Boat Day Trip

Located in the south of Ha Long Bay and east of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay has become a popular tourist destination in recent times. The archipelago is larger than 7000 hectares, possessing over 400 large and small island , with unexploited beaches.

The attraction of Lan Ha Bay is the wild beauty, peachful space that is not everywhere, it is very suitable as a destination for those who want to find new space to relax. Besides, traveling to Lan Ha Bay, you also have the opportunity to visit the Cua Van fishing village and Cai Beo fishing village to explore the daily life of the fishermen here.

Have a look at: 

• A Detailed Guide To Lan Ha Bay
• How to Choose the Best Lan Ha Bay Cruise?

What can you do?

• Sailing on the bay
• Swimming and Scuba diving
• Climb mountain
• Rowing Kayak and Dangerous climbing
• Visiting local floating market and Cai Beo fishing village
• Exploring Caves

Unlike Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay has up to 139 small golden, lovely beaches and desolate as the “blue strait” inviting visitors to explore. Many sands stretch middle of two rocky mountains, are quiet with no big waves , so ideal for visiters.

Experience in visiting Lan Ha Bay

Time to travel Lan Ha Bay

• The best time to visit Lan Ha Bay is in the summer. Because the weather is really hot , it is suitable for swimming and participating in recreational activities in the bay such as: boating, scuba diving.
• However, tourism should be limited in the last months of summer from July to September to avoid erratic rains and storms.
• From September the island begins to return to its tranquility, the number of tourists coming to the island is not much, you can play freely water sport games such as kayaking, climbing … and travel expense in this season is also relatively cheaper.

Lan Ha Bay –  One Day Tour

• If you do not have much time, just come to Cat Ba on the weekend, you can contact to book a tour to explore Lan Ha Bay in one day. You can book at the hotel , any travel agency on the island or book directly with the ship owner who are outside the port also, there is a need to negotiate a price so reasonable to avoid being chopped.
• If you book a tour, you will be picked up by the shuttle bus to the port, or if you go by yourself, you can also go to Beo port to find the boat . The first journey will go through Cai Beo fishing village, the natural islands on the Bay. About an hour and a half to the area of Sang Cave – Toi Cave.
• In here, after renting a kayak, you are free to explore this area. Rowing Kayak at sea is also quite tired, it takes about 1.5-2 hours for this activity. After having lunch on board, you will be gone to some locations with beaches such as Ba Trai Dao island, Van Boi beach … to swim freely.
• After swimming, maybe the boat will take you to Monkey Island area to play freely, then you will return to Beo port, end the one day journey to explore Lan Ha Bay.

>>> EXPLORE MORE: Lan Ha Bay One Day Tour From Hanoi

Bai Tu Long Bay – Free your soul with Cruise & Kayaking Adventure

Bai Tu Long Bay includes a sea area of Ha Long City : Cam Pha City and Van Don Island District. The South West borders Ha Long Bay, the East borders on the sea, the West borders the mainland to Cam Pha City and the Northeast borders on Co To Island District. Bai Tu Long Bay consists of hundreds of large and small islands and many of which are large and inhabited.

What is most attractive in Bai Tu Long Bay ?

Bai Tu Long Bay has fewer tourists than Ha Long Bay. So the places will be quieter here . At the same time, the air is also very pleasant .

What is not really fascinating here?

• Fewer yachts go on this route, so there are fewer options.
• Fewer islands on the Bay than Ha Long Bay.
• Ha Long Bay has a larger area and more attractions.

Actitities in Bai Tu Long Bay

Bai Tu Long has many activities like in Ha Long. Some beaches are less crowded here.

What should you do?

• Visiting islands
• Visiting floating fishing village

The best time to visit Bai Tu Long

• The best weather is in January and February, during the rainy season between May and September, March / April and September / October are the best times to explore the Bay.

Trang An and Tam Coc Cave – Explore the hidden gems of Viet Nam

• Location: Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province
• Entrance Fee: 250.000VND/Boat Trip in Trang An – 200.000VND/Boat Trip in Tam Coc
• Opening Hours: 07.00am – 05.00pm

Highlight of Day Trip to Trang An and Tam Coc

• 1 day trip in Ninh Binh with a small group of participants
• Admiring a “gem” of Ninh Binh offering some picturesque places such as Tam Coc or Trang An
• Along with unforgettable experiences in boating riding, exploring caves, visiting temples…in Ninh Binh
• Quality services that supply a luxury car, intensive tour guide for you

Trang An Grottoes – Tam Coc tour might be the most popular tour from Hanoi because of their beautiful landscapes. The journey starts from Hanoi to Ninh Binh for 2 hours of travelling, then go on a boat and do sightseeing on Sao Khue river. Rowers here particularly use their feet skillfully and gently.

In Trang An, you will have the chance to look into more caves than in Tam Coc that none of other places can offer since it is a large area with towering moutains  surrounded by imposing views. After ending Trang An trip (around 2 hours), let’s go to visit Tam Coc . It only takes you around 10 minutes to move to this place!

>>> Book A Day Trip All Included with Most Famous Sightseeing Places & Activities, Reasonable Prices for:

• Deluxe Hoa Lu Tam Coc Mua Cave Day Trip  from Hanoi with Limousine Transfer
• A Day Trip to Hoa Lu Trang An Mua Cave Small Group from Hanoi – Limousine Transfer

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Explore Historical & Cultural

• Location: Truong Yen, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, 100 kilometers to the south of Hanoi
• Entrance fee: 20.000 VND/person
• Opening Hours: from 06.00am to 05.00pm

Because Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is very near Trang An, Tam Coc, so tourists often combine visiting three places at the same time. As its name, Hoa Lu was the first capital of  Vietnam in 10 th and 11 th century.

Although its ancient architectures are not maintained as they were in the first place, the ancient temples where it worships Dinh and Le Kings are still intact until today.

>>> Check out Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Tour in Ninh Binh Day Tours  

Mua Cave Ninh Binh – Most exciting destination of foreign visitors

• Location: Khe Dau Ha Hamlet, Ninh Xuan Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh
• Entrance fee: 100.000 VND/person
• Opening Hours: 07.00am – 06.00pm

The cave brings you one of the best panoramic view of one of the nicest sceneries in Viet Nam- that’s Ninh Binh- which is known as a wonder of the world, the Telegraph from UK said “It’s an area known locally as Vietnam’s ‘Inland Halong Bay’”.

• Read More: Mua Cave is worth being visited in Ninh Binh?

This can’t be denied since more and more foreigners choose Mua Cave( Hang Mua – Vietnamese name) for their short holidays while being in the north of Viet Nam. Dancing mountain like a bell, measuring approximately 800 square meters.

Dance Cave name associated with the ancient legend when King Tran moved the capital to Hoa Lu for building Thai Vi temple. He used to come the mountain cave for watching music and dance shows so that people from this place called Mua Cave.

View from the foot of the mountain can clearly see the white stone steps leading to the top, the stairs looked like Great Wall in China. On top of the mountain is placed a statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva with the eyes down towards the ancient land of the ancient capital.

Dance Cave tourist area is developing into a place where relaxation combined with tourist hiking, sightseeing.

Phat Diem Stone Cathedral

• Location: Phat Diem, Kim Son District, Ninh Binh Province, 117 km to the south of Hanoi
• Entrance fee: Free
• Opening hours: 7:00 am – 9:30 pm

Phat Diem Christian temple firstly was initially indoctrinated by Spanish missionaries 4 centuries ago. It was built in 1892 and it exists until now.

Bai Dinh Pagoda – Significant Records in Ninh Binh

• Location: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
• Opening hours: Bai Dinh Pagoda: 6 a.m to 9 p.m. Trang An: 7 a.m to 4 p.m

Ninh Binh has many toursit destinations bringing spiritual values in which we could not mention Bai Dinh pagoda – one of the biggest pagodas of South East Asia with many set of records.

Additionally, Ninh Binh has Van Long lagoon, the biggest waterlogged nature reserve  of  Northen Delta consiting of more than 30 types of rare plants listed in Vietnam’s Red Book .

>>> Book a Bai Dinh Day Tour To Discover The Beauty of Nature and The Religious Monument <<<

Experience the nature with Cuc Phuong National Park

• Location: Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province, 120 kilometers to the south of Hanoi
• Entrance fee: 40.000 VND/person
• Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm

Cuc Phuong national park is know as the first park of Vietnam, where it has a wide range of plants and animals with white meranti of thousands of years,caves of ancient people in which Vietnamese ancestors settled and there is the mineral spring of Ga canal.

Mai Chau Valley – Hoa Binh

Directions to Mai Chau

• You can go to Mai Chau in many ways. If you want to explore freely the experience with friends, you can choose to go by motorbike, drive if you go with your family, or a coach tour.

Mai Chau Travel Time

• The best time to visiting Mai Chau is spring (from February to May) because of peach blossoms, plum blossoms’s dazzling beauty, especially plum blossoms forest or rice seasons in September, Octorber, combine with the weather is cool and no rain.

Accommodation in Mai Chau

• Coming to Mai Chau, you should experience sleeping on stilts once. At Ban Lac 1, Ban Lac 2 has many homestays to choose from, priced from 20,000 to 50,000 VND / person for a stilt house. If in a private room, the room price ranges from 250,000 to 300,000 VND / room.
• For large groups, you should rent the whole floor with price from 500,000 to 800,000 VND / night. Especially, if you want to experience in a private space with high-class services, let come to Mai Chau Ecolodge – a beautiful 4-star resort in Na Thia.

Mai Chau Specialties

• Lam rice , sticky rice with five colors, Muong pork, bitter bamboo shoots, wild bees, sour bamboo shoots, hill chicken, buoy leaf water, …

Top List Hanoi Day Trips & Excursions & Activities with Kids 

Sightseeing & street food walking tour.

• Learn about Buddhism
• Explore a cave
• Fun boat trip

Below is one day Hanoi travel guide and schedule, it combines locations around Hanoi conveniently and cheaply. You will discover and experience Hanoi Cuisine – delicious and famous dishes.

Famous tourist destinations in Hanoi are: Quoc Tu Giam Temple, Mot Cot Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Thang Long Citadel, Hoan Kiem Lake, Long Bien Bridge …

Hope to be able to provide you with the useful and necessary information during your trip. Wish you a happy trip and many memories.

A Day Hanoi Tour with a Local Guide

• Hanoi city tour starts at eight in the morning. Touring around Hanoi will bring you knowledge of Hanoi’s history, culture and architecture. You will visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature – the first university in Vietnam, which is also a highlight of this trip.
• Along with other locations such as Bat Trang Pottery Village, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Old Quarter and Ethnography Museum. You will come some historic and formal locations, so you should avoid wearing shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops.

Take A Hanoi Street Food Tour

• Hanoi is famous for its distinctive dishes, distinct culinary culture. It is an unique thing for you to discover things in Hanoi with a local tour guide. The guide will show you the inspirational outstanding destinations of Hanoi city.
• Let imagine when you walk into some small alleys and your guide explain to you what are they. You can find cafes and shops, some delicious drink, even a long alley of many different foods while you are walking around.

>>> BOOK Un-Pho-Gettable Hanoi Street Food Tours <<<

Van Phuc Silk Village

• Location: Van Phuc Village, Ha Dong District, Hanoi, 10 kilometers to the southwest of Hanoi center.
• Opening Hours: 07.00am – 07.00pm
• Open In Google Maps

Van Phuc is just 10 kilometers away from Hanoi and basically the nearest location among those mentioned in this post, so it is easy to take a day trip from the city. Van Phuc is known for its silk production. This village produces some of the finest textiles in the country with a much cheaper price than those sold in the center of Hanoi.

With over 1,000 silk shops offering a diverse range of delighting shirts, crafts, ties and dresses made of silk, the site is undoubtedly a paradise of silk and fashion lovers. The silk is very light weight and has a smooth appearance with high quality suitable for all skin tones.

Hanoi Old Quarter & French Old Quarter

Explore Hanoi Old Quarter

• As soon as you get to Hanoi, make sure to head to the Old Quarter.  Visiting the Old Quarter is one of the unmissable things to do in Hanoi.
• This is the historic heart and commercial center of the city, where there are lot of interesting attractions – think temples and pagodas.

French Old Quarter

• Hanoi’s French Quarter is located on the southeastern end of the popular Hoan Kiem Lake, housing most of the city’s foreign embassies, government buildings and affluent residential neighbourhoods.
• For travellers, it’s where they can find luxurious hotels and upmarket restaurants during their holiday in the Vietnam capital.

• Part of its main road – Trang Tien – is a busy shopping area, featuring bookshops, galleries, boutiques and the Trang Tien Plaza, a French colonial shopping complex retailing international brands.
• If this is your first time exploring Hanoi, this section encompasses just about everything you need to know about Hanoi French Quarter, namely its attractions, dining, nightlife and shopping venues.

Hanoi Green Farm with Local Family

• Address: Lot 1, Tinh Quang village, Long Bien Dist., Hanoi

We specialize in organizing and hosting cultural and countryside life experience trip, provide you opportunity for some hands – on experience and understand more about the life and the people.

What to do during the trip you could:

• Join the farming activities;
• Collect fruit and vegetables;
• Prepare lunch with local family;
• Cycling along the riverside;
• Visiting ancient temple, primary school…

The main purpose of Green Farm Tour is to bring you different view of life in Vietnam. You not only experience the authentic daily life of local farming communities in the village but also meeting and feeling the friendliness of people.

Ba Vi National Park

• Address: Ba Vi, Hanoi ( 68km from Hanoi )

Which places should you travel?

• Thien Son Waterfall and Waterpark
• Cactus Garden
• French ruins
• Trekking to the top of the mountain: King Peak, Tan Vien Peak, Ngoc Hoa Peak

Ba Vi is an interesting tourist destination because of its fresh air, pristine and attractive, combining many types of ecotourism, cultural tourism and exclusive unique resort travel. You can visit Ba Vi any season of the year.

However, the weather from April to October is cool and quiet, combined with fresh air, it’s the best time for you to organize sightseeing trips, picnics. In addition, from mid-November to early December you can come here to enjoy the beauty of wild sunflowers.

Duong Lam Ancient Village

• Location: Son Tay Town, Hanoi, 40 kilometers to the west of Hanoi
• Learn about the culture and architecture of over 300 years old village
• Experience in cycling in peaceful village
• Enjoy local specialties

Duong Lam Ancient Village is one of the most attractive suburban destinations in Hanoi because of the architectural features and pristine imprints of more than 300 years old Vietnamese ancient village in the Red River Delta. If you are interested in the old space and learn about historical cultural sites, this is a destination can not be missed.

To experience the true nature of a trip back to the village, you should rent a bicycle to both cycle and slowly explore every corner of the old village … Especially, remember to enjoy specialty : “ che lam” and many local dishes such as roast meat, cane chicken, soy sauce, candy, …

Perfume Pagoda – Explore spiritual life of the Vietnamese

• Entrance fee: 50,000 VND / time

What should you explore ?

• Learning bout Buddhism
• Exploring a cave
• Having funny boat trip

Huong Pagoda is located 60km Southwest of Hanoi between lush rice fields and limestone mountains. The temple is also famous for being one of the most sacred pagodas in Northern Vietnam, with a lot of landscapes scattered in Yen stream valley.

Coming to Huong Pagoda, you should experience a boat ride on the stream, visit Thien Tru Pagoda and Huong Tich cave, Trinh Temple. This is a great day trip from Hanoi for nature lovers, as well as for families with children.

Quang Phu Cau Incense Village

• Entrance fee: 100,000 VND / Time/Pax

Quang Phu Cau, an Incense Village that upholds the traditional craft of incense making for more than 100 years.

About 35 kilometers from the center of Hanoi, the village is situated in Quang Phu Cau commune, Ung Hoa district. Quang Phu Cau has been known for making traditional incense sticks for the past over a century.

• A visit to Quang Phu Cau incense village will bring visitors an opportunity to learn about the traditional craft of making incense sticks and take lots of unique check-in photos. Right after you enter the incense village, you’ll be able to see the busy lives of the locals here.
• The village is filled with bundles of red incense sticks that look like enormous flowers under the sunlight. Incense is dried in a variety of large areas, including the yards of houses or community houses, and vacant lots, which brings an impressive sight for visitors.

>>> Read More: Quang Phu Cau Incense Village – A Spectacular Incense Village in Hanoi!

Thay Pagoda – Discovery History & Architecture

• Established in 11 th century by Nhan Tong King of Ly Emperor, Thay pagoda is one the most ancient one of Vietnam. It is typical of Buddhism architecture of Vietnam and it is 30km away from Hanoi, so it is quite easy for you to get there.

Bat Trang Pottery Village

• Location: Bat Trang Commune, Gia Lam District, Hanoi, 13 kilometers to the southeast of Hanoi
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Opening Hiours: 07.00am – 07.30pm

Where should you go?

• Visiting Bat Trang ceramic market
• Visiting Bat Trang ancient village
• Experience the making of pottery

Bat Trang is a well-known traditional pottery village – one of the most popular tourist destinations near Hanoi. Coming to Bat Trang Pottery Village, you will visit the work place of pottery artists, pottery markets, packed with souvenirs, lovely cups to take back as gifts.

In particular, the most interesting activity when you come here is you can create your own ceramic products with the guidance of people in village.

Below are 21 highly recomended destinations for your one day trip in Hanoi. We hope that this is useful for your question ‘What to do in Hanoi for 1 day”. You might have visited other places or heard about them but they are not mentioned in this list.

So please comment them below or contact us directly. We will continue updating more interesting destinations and giving feedback for you as quickly and exactly as possible!

>>> The list of Hanoi Travel Agency you need to know if you would like to do the tour to Bat Trang

Thung Nang – Sunshine Valley

• Location: Dam Khe Hamlet, Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District
• Opening Hours: 08.00am – 05.30pm

As the name says, the sun shines every corner of the valley, through leafy branches, rustic cottages on the shore and all the way down to the bottom of the water, create a brilliant and peaceful landscape.

On the way to Thung Nang valley, taking the rowing boat about 3 kilometers from Thach Bich Wharf, tourists will hear the murmur of paddy fields, see the majestic mountain lines and abundant fauna and flora underneath the cool water.

Thung Nang is divided into 2 valley, one is 3 hectares wide and the other is 5 hectares. The valleys are connected by a cave system in the mountains with the low ceiling and the stalactites hanging down in different shape.

There are many attractions in Thung Nang such as Ba Doi Mountains, Coc Mountains, Mang Mountains, Vang Mountains.

Crossing over Thung Nang about 100 meters, visitors will arrive at a Temple where people worship Mother Goddess Thuong Ngan, Voi Temple made of stone with well-carved worship things since Le Dynasty.

It is also quite near from Thung Nang to several tourism destinations such as Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Thung Nham, But Grotto, primary forest, Bird Garden, Ghe Grotto, Chua Grotto, etc.

Tips for Your Amazing Day Trip From Hanoi

• A day trip from Hanoi offers you a mix of ancient town and the cosmopolitan. But stepping out to the countryside you will see not only other traditional and historic sites but also the beautiful landscape of nature.
• Mountains and rivers, jungle and paddies, temples and churches, you will get to see another side of Vietnam besides the crowd and rush in the city. These places are within a day trip from Hanoi, and you can easily travel to these locations in an hour or two by motorbikes or bus.
• Plan your day trips from Hanoi with the help of this useful article, pack your bag, and get ready for some fantastic and memorable time!

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10 Affordable Day Trips From Hanoi

Last Updated: October 13, 2023

There’s so much to love about Hanoi , the great capital city, located in Northern Vietnam . It is definitely a must-visit place if you are in Vietnam! The city is filled with spectacular scenery, banging street food, rich history and culture.

The great thing about Hanoi is that the city is surrounded by national parks and other provinces that are perfect for day trips if you want to escape the crowded streets of Hanoi.

Table of Contents

Take a day trip: 10 great, easy, & affordable options, 1. ninh binh.

Ninh Binh is famous for its jaw-dropping landscape, limestone karst rising up from bodies of water, alongside mysterious caves and lush paddy fields. No wonder ‘King-Kong: Skull Island’ was filmed here.

Most visitors start the day at Trang An. Here you should join a boat tour that takes you through a maze of rivers and waterways that is the Red River Delta. You will float through caves and glide past towering limestone karsts in a sampan.

After the boat ride in Trang An, you should definitely visit Tam Coc where you can explore the vast network of lime formations and check out amazing underground Tam Coc caves. These two places are just 10 minutes apart so it is very easy to travel from one to the other.

You can either take a bus, train or taxi from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. Travelling by limo bus is the most cost-effective and comfortable way, priced at about 130,000 VND per one-way ticket.

Duration: 2-hour drive from the south of Hanoi

2. Ha Long Bay- UNESCO World Heritage Site

One of the most popular destinations close to Hanoi is Halong Bay . An overnight cruise is a good way to truly enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it also makes for a great day cruise, which is more budget-friendly.

Visit Halong Bay and cruise around the majestic seascape; take in the picturesque limestone mountains, wondrous caves, sandy beaches, and amazing biodiversity. Places of interest include the floating villages, Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest caves in Halong Bay, or Monkey Island, which is a great viewpoint and snorkelling spot. 

There’s so much to enjoy while taking in the natural beauty of Halong Bay, we even created a full guide to the best things to do in Halong Bay to prepare you for it!

The biggest island in Ha Long Bay is Cat Ba Island. Cat Ba Island offers a lot of interesting natural wonders. It has a national park that you can explore, nice beaches, and good food. Make some time to visit the famous Hospital Cave, tucked in the middle of the forests, it was operational during the Vietnam war.

Duration: 3 hours by boat, this will be a full day tour so it is best to book your itinerary in advance for a stress-free excellent trip.

3. Ho Citadel

Another UNESCO World Historical Site in Vietnam, the Ho Citadel can be found in the remote backwaters of Thanh Hoa Province.

The citadel was built in the 14th Century by the Ho Dynasty and formed the rulers’ base of power in Vietnam. Lasting a mere 7 years, it nonetheless was a Dynasty of great historic significance . Additionally, UNESCO recognises that the citadel (built-in three months!) as an outstanding example of a new style of Southeast Asian imperial city.

The citadel is empty, no palace, no pagodas, no monuments. It is just the four walls surrounding the bare land. Interestingly, it now contains farmland, and which is actively used by Vietnamese farmers in the area. Stop by a local restaurant to sample fresh Northern Vietnamese food.

Duration: Approximately 3 hours by car

4. Mai Chau Valley

Allow the rural landscape to enchant you at Mai Chau Valley, and visit traditional villages to learn more about the different cultures of Vietnam. Take a sneak peek into the daily life of the Tai Dam and Tai Cao ethnic minorities who live in stilt houses that are elevated above ground in case of annual floods.

The best way to get around is by motorbike or bicycle – which you can rent from the hotels or shops in the area. You might also want to spend some time hiking around the beautiful rice paddies and take in the sights of jagged mountain ridges. Some of the most impressive views of the mountains and rice terraces are from the Thung Khe Pass.

Duration : Approximately 3 hours

5. Cuc Phuong National Park

Home to the Muong ethnic minority, Co Phuong National Park is the first established and largest national park in Vietnam. While extremely popular as a destination for day trips from Hanoi, you can also choose to stay here overnight.

Head over here to be one with nature – get ready to hike around the rural landscapes of lush forests, swim into crystal clear lakes, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountains.

Rich in Biodiversity and wildlife, the park is also running conservation programmes to protect the endangered species in the area, including primates, pangolins, and turtles.

The butterfly season is a great time to visit the national park, you will be able to see almost 400 different types of butterfly species. This runs from the end of April for about a month.

Duration : Approximately 3 hours by car. We recommend booking a private car.

6. Perfume Pagoda

One of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Vietnam, the Buddhist Perfume Pagoda is a complex of many temples, shrines, and houses built into the limestone cliffs of the Huong (Perfume) mountains.

Many visitors choose a boat ride along the Yen River to take them to the start of the temples, giving them a good view of the Vietnamese Buddhist architecture set amongst the mountains. After that, you have an option either to hike or take the cable car up to the top of Huong Tich mountain to visit Perfume Pagoda and Huong Tich Cave. Hiking to the Perfume Pagoda is a bit of a challenge, the steps are steep but the journey is worth it! You will be able to take in the peaceful surroundings and see different altars on the way up.

The cave is filled with stalagmites and stalactites, which are named after the blessings people seek. Dun Tien offers prosperity and Nui Co offers the chance of having a baby while Dun Gao is for people hoping for a bountiful harvest.

Duration: 2 hours by car.

7. Ba Vi National Park

If you are looking to immerse yourself in nature, a day trip from Hanoi to Ba Vi National Park is a great choice!

The national park has three peaks, visitors can hike through the towering mountains, rivers and tropic rainforest that is well preserved and protected. There is also an orchid garden that you can also enjoy.

Starting from the base, after about 45 minutes of hiking, the path forks to the different peaks. Take the left to Dinh But peak to see a shrine dedicated to the founder of modern Vietnam Ho Chi Minh. Take the right to see the shrine of Tan Vien, an immortal hero in Vietnamese legends.

If the sky is clear enough, you will be able to see Hanoi from the top. After a few hours hike, you could also enjoy some spa time in some of the resort’s hot springs and experience being in a mud bath for a refreshing finish!

Duration : Approximately 1 hour by car

8. Bat Trang Village

If you are not keen to travel for hundreds of kilometres, Bat Trang Village is the trip for you. This day trip from Hanoi is only 13 kilometres or a short thirty minutes away from Hanoi Old Quarter.

Bat Trang Village is famous for being a ceramic and pottery centre. This is a great getaway for those wanting to understand more about Vietnam’s traditional crafts. It is said to have been established as early as the 10th century, and if not then by the 14th or 15th centuries.

A budget-friendly way to take in the sights is by walking around the village, immerse yourself in rural life, and window shop while you visit the porcelain and pottery workshops and stores. Otherwise, opt for a guided tour to better understand the history of the place and to find out the meanings behind different motifs on the pottery.

A fun thing to do would be to join a pottery workshop, a great way to enjoy the culture, and get a personalised souvenir to take home!

If Hanoi summer gets too hot for you, visit the cool mountain town of Tam Dao. It is about 70 km away from Hanoi, the drive is an hour and half long.

It was once a French hill resort that was built by Europeans to flee from the warm summer weather of Hanoi. It is still a hilltop resort but most of the French architecture is gone. One of the remainders is Tam Dao Stone Church, an iconic attraction built in 1906 which is symbolic of the town’s French connection. Not far away from the church, you will find one of Tam Dao’s hidden gems – the silver waterfalls known as Thác Bạc. An absolutely stunning waterfall that will make your day.

There are also some hiking opportunities you can do to visit the Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple and the viewpoint at the Tam Dao TV Tower that you can also explore.

10. Hoa Lu – Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu is one of Vietnam’s ancient capital, it was the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Located 90km south of Hanoi in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh Province.

Known as the first capital of Vietnam, it was the focal point of the ancient Vietnamese Kingdom called Dai Co Viet. Once the centre of life and politics, it is now an important historic and cultural site.

Visit the ancient citadel, city walls, temples, tombs and pagodas. The two most significant sites here are the temple of Dinh Tien Hoang Emperor and the temple of Le Dai Hanh Emperor.

Day Tripper

If you are lucky enough to live in Hanoi, you have one week in Hanoi, spice up your time with these day trips from the capital city. Day trips are also some of the most budget-friendly ways to see North Vietnam, given that you do not need to book accommodation in a new place. From hiking to pottery making, from cruising to visiting historic sites, the list of things to do is never-ending. 

After a hard day’s work day-tripping, it’s time to eat some awesome must-try food from Hanoi.

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Northern Vietnam

Central vietnam, southern vietnam.

Helena Bradbury

Places to visit near hanoi: day trips and overnight trips.

Welcome to Hanoi, the bustling capital city of Vietnam! If you're planning a trip here, you'll find that there's no shortage of things to do within Hanoi. But did you know that there are also plenty of amazing places to visit near Hanoi?

From beautiful natural landscapes to historical sites and cultural experiences, there's something for everyone just a short distance from the city.

In this guide, I'll share some of the best places to visit near Hanoi, including both Hanoi day trips and overnight adventures. I spent a month living in Hanoi and tried to pack as many of these places in as possible (spoiler: it still wasn’t long enough!) So get ready to add a few more destinations to your Vietnam itinerary and make the most of your trip to Hanoi!

Wondering how long to spend in Hanoi? Read my guide on How many days to visit Hanoi for.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. While clicking these links won't cost you anything, they will help me to keep this site up and running! Check out the full disclosure policy for more details. Thank you so much!

Where is Hanoi?

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam, located in the northern region of the country, right on the bank of the Red River - one of the most important waterways in Asia.

With over a thousand years of history, dating back to 1010, Hanoi is loaded with a rich blend of Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influences. It was once the headquarters of French Indochina and served as the capital of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Now, you can see a combination of old and new, colonial influence with traditional Asian architecture. With rapid urbanization and a bustling street life, if you're a first-time visitor, Hanoi can be an assault on the senses but also a truly unique experience.

How to get to Hanoi?

Reaching Hanoi is relatively straightforward, regardless of your starting point. The Noi Bai International Airport is 45km north of Hanoi, and is the primary point of entry for international visitors. From the airport, you can easily reach the city via taxi, bus, or ask your accommodation to arrange a transfer for you.

Vietnam uses Grab (like Uber) so you can also book a very affordable taxi ride from your phone.

If you're already in Vietnam, domestic flights are very affordable, while trains, and long-distance buses are even cheaper and regularly connect Hanoi with other Vietnamese cities.

The best way to travel from Hanoi and around Hanoi area

The best way to explore Hanoi and its surrounding areas is to take advantage of its extensive public transportation. Affordable city buses run throughout Hanoi, but for further afield, keep an eye out for the Vietnamese limousines - they're actually extremely comfortable minibuses and a popular choice for intercity travel. They might not be what you're picturing when you hear 'limousine', but they're known for their comfortable seats, air conditioning, and even free Wi-Fi on board! On our bus from Ninh Binh the seats even had built-in back massagers!

For a day trip from Hanoi that's fairly nearby, booking a Grab taxi is probably the easiest and cheapest option. Around the city a Grab would usually cost 60-80VND for 10-15minutes - that's under £3! I also prefer Grab because the price is fixed in app and there's the additional safety benefits, rather than getting in a random taxi on the street!

While you might want to rent a scooter or motorbike for some of the day trips out of Hanoi or for reaching places to visit near Hanoi such as Ha Giang or Mai Chau, please take full safety precautions if you ride a scooter. Some travel insurance won't even cover scooter or motorbike riding and road rules aren't really followed in Vietnam the same way we're used to in our home countries! Please take precautions and wear safety gear.

Renting a car isn't recommended, mainly due to the city's heavy traffic and unique driving style that might feel a bit chaotic if you're not used to it.

Places to visit near Hanoi, Vietnam on a day trip or 1 night trip

Ha long bay.

Ha Long Bay seen from the Ti Top Island viewpoint

One of the most famous places to visit around Hanoi, Vietnam is of course Ha Long Bay.

Ha Long Bay, known for its emerald waters and towering limestone islands, is definitely one of the must visit places in Hanoi and surrounding areas. The natural beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site make it a fantastic choice for one day tours from Hanoi.

Located just a 2.5 hours drive from the city, but you'll feel like you've entered a whole different world. Hop on a traditional junk boat and explore some of the most stunning caves in Vietnam , go kayaking, or simply soak in the picturesque views of Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island.

This is a great option for a Hanoi one day tour to Halong Bay.

If you have a bit more time, I highly recommend an overnight cruise of Ha Long Bay. This was one of those experiences I was worried wouldn't live up to expectations but it totally did!

Seeing Ha Long Bay at sunset, staying on a cruise ship with stunning balcony views, visiting caves, beaches and kayaking in lagoons as well as hiking to viewpoints looking across the whole bay. Staying overnight on the boat also meant eating fresh and delicious seafood, early morning Tai Chi on deck, and even doing some squid fishing at night. It's an experience you won't want to miss when you're in Hanoi.

Read more about my Ha Long Bay cruise experience here or

book the exact tour I did which included pick up in Hanoi.

Ninh Binh Province

Trang An in Ninh Binh

Another gem just a short ride from Hanoi is Ninh Binh, often referred to as the 'Ha Long Bay on Land.' The stunning limestone karsts rising from the emerald green rice paddies are such a unique landscape.

We actually chose to spend a weekend in Ninh Binh, but being 1.5-2 hours drive from Hanoi means it can easily be a day trip too if you're short on time!

Here's some of my favourite things to do in Ninh Binh

A boat ride along the dramatic waterways of Tam Coc

Explore the ancient capital of Hoa Lu

Take a boat ride through the caves of Trang An and stop at temples tucked in the limestone cliffs

Rent a cycle (many hotels also provide them for free) and cycle among the rice fields and into the countryside

Visit Bich Dong Pagoda

Hike up to the Mua Cave for epic breathtaking panoramic view of the area

Sample the local delicacy - goat meat.

Check out this Ninh Binh day tour - one of the best day trips from Hanoi!

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

The perfect Hanoi day trip for history lovers, a dose of culture and incredible natural beauty, Vietnam's Ancient city, Hoa Lu is just a short bus ride from Hanoi.

Hoa Lu feels like stepping back in time, filled with significant milestones in Vietnamese history, and rich in cultural heritage. It was once the capital of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty and Early Le Dynasty, today, it is incredibly well-preserved as part of Vietnam's past with the ancient citadel, temples to past emperors and stunning landscapes in the same area as Ninh Binh.

For a hassle-free journey, check out this one day trip from Hanoi to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc.

Views over Tam Coc from Hang Mua

Tam Coc is actually the area we chose to stay in when we visited Ninh Binh and the stunning waterways here are what drew us in! The boat ride here among the rice paddies and limestone fields leaves from Tam Coc Van Lam Pier in the centre of Tam Coc.

What makes the boat ride here different from that in Trang An is that the boat guides row the boat in the traditional way - with their feet!

Tam Coc is like a small village compared to Ninh Binh but still with a bustling central street with plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes. We also felt more comfortable cycling on the roads around here to reach Bich Dong Pagoda and Mua Caves.

Tam Coc is around 1.5-2 hours from Hanoi and we were able to arrange a limousine ride from Ha Long Bay to Tam Coc, then our hotel in Tam Coc arranged for a limousine to pick us up directly from the hotel to take us back to Hanoi.

If you would prefer an organised day tour to Tam Coc, check out this day trip from Hanoi to Tam Coc.

An overnight trip to Sapa from Hanoi is a must-do experience! This is definitely one of the longer excursions from Hanoi as it takes around 5 hours by car or minibus. Alternatively you can take an overnight train or bus.

Book a luxury bus ransfer to Sapa here.

While you're in Hanoi, you'll see plenty of travel agencies advertising trips to Sapa. You can either book with them or ask your hotel to arrange a transfer. There are also multi-day tours to Sapa which I would recommend - check out these Hanoi to Sapa tours.

The mountainous town of Sapa is known for its terraced rice fields, which are only seen between July-September as there's only 1 crop per year, so the summer months are definitely the best time to visit Sapa.

While you're in Sapa, don't miss:

a trek to the top of Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam

explore the Muong Hoa Valley

visit nearby ethnic villages like Cat Cat and Ta Van, where you can meet the locals, learn about their traditions, and even sample some regional cuisine

stay at a beautiful hotel overlooking the rice terraces:

Just a three-hour drive from Hanoi, is the lush green mountaineous region of Mai Chau Valley. This idyllic little corner of Vietnam is a haven escape from the city. The two tourist villages of Lac and Pom Coong are great for homestays and a chance for nature lovers to spend a night or two in this peaceful, traditional region.

While in Mai Chau:

see the traditional way of life of the indigenous ethnic groups

bike ride through lush green rice paddies and see the stilt houses unique to this region.

Experience traditional dance performances or learn the art of weaving from local artisans

Sample local cuisine

You can easily book a transfer here with a local travel agent in Hanoi, or book onto a 2-day Hanoi excursion like this one.

Just a few hours away from Hanoi, you'll find Pu Luong, a hidden gem that's still off the beaten tourist trail. This nature reserve boasts stunning landscapes filled with lush greenery, mountains, and traditional stilt houses. You can make arrangements through the same travel agents again in Hanoi.

While you're in Pu Luong, there's plenty to see and do, hiking is a must, with the opportunity to explore the reserve's rich biodiversity and beautiful terraced rice fields. A boat ride on the Cham River for unique views of the surrounding scenery.

Similar to Mai Chau you can also visit local villages and learn about traditional culture and customs, from their agricultural practices to the vibrant textiles they weave.

A scenic four-hour drive from Hanoi will land you in the heart of Moc Chau, a picturesque plateau with rolling hills and vibrant, blooming flower fields. Also famous for the Na Ka Plum Valley where you can see rows and rows of flowering plum blossom trees in the spring, followed by the Plum Picking Festival in May, or late spring depending on the weather each year.

Moc Chau is an immersive nature experience and a simple way of living that's worth the long drive and a night or two in the region. As this isn't a popular tourist destination, you won't likely find organised tours, but plenty of travel agents will organise a transfer for you.

Don't miss these things to do in Moc Chau:

miles of tea plantations - Doi Che Trai Tim is the plantation to visit

Dai Yem Waterfall

Chieng Khoa waterfall and lake

Hang Doi cave

Sample local cheese and cuisine in Moc Chau and local villages around the area

A bit of a journey from Hanoi—about six hours by car—but trust me, it's so worth it, especially for motorbike enthusiasts and thrill-seekers!

Ha Giang offers one of the most famed motorbike loops in the world. Covering a distance of nearly 350 kilometres, it takes you through winding mountain passes, towering karst peaks, lush valleys, and epic roads.

I personally am not a motorbike rider so this is not something I've done. However it's one of the most popular places to visit near Hanoi and the route itself is well-marked. If you're still worried there are also several guided tours that take you on the Ha Giang Loop - such as this one for 2 nights.

Don't miss the Quan Ba Heaven Gate, a gorgeous viewpoint along the way. And after a long day on the road, there's nothing like a hot bowl of Thang Den (a local rice dessert) to recharge your energy. Just remember to pace yourself, stay safe, and soak in the beauty that Ha Giang has to offer.

Quang Phu Cau Hanoi Incense Village

Incense bundles drying in the sun

This is a great, easy 1 day trip from Hanoi, or even just an afternoon trip by taxi and one of my favourite underrated places to visit near Hanoi.

The Incense Village is where a huge amount of incense are made, produced, dried and distributed from in northern Vietnam. You'll see rows and rows of incense being dried out in the sun in vibrant reds, greens, yellows and purples.

Quang Phu Cau is just 1 hour south of Hanoi and we booked a taxi for 3 people which cost 1 million VND - just 300,000 each (£10) for the trip there and back.

Depending on what time of year you visit, there could be more or less displays, festivals or farms with incense out. It was pretty quiet during our visit but absolutely beautiful still.

For a more in-depth experience, book one of the Hanoi day excursions to the incense village such as this Hanoi incense village tour.

incense village on a day trip from Hanoi

Mu Chang Cai

Mu Chang Cai is a popular region for seeing the famous rice terraces of northern Vietnam but it's south of Sapa - so less touristy and you're more likely to find cheaper homestays.

Mu Chang Cai is a must visit in the north of Vietnam for photographers! Head out hiking in the scenic rice terraces. The vibrant greenery and unique hill-terracing technique are honestly breathtaking.

Staying in a homestay here also gives you the chance to interact with locals, enjoy a home-cooked meal at your homestay, prepared with fresh local produce and experience rural life in northern Vietnam that's totally different from Hanoi!

Bat Trang Pottery Village

If you're short on time and looking for must visit places in Hanoi, Bat Trang Pottery Village is located on the banks of the Red River, just 30 minutes south of Hanoi city centre.

Also called Bat Trang Ceramic Village, it’s like a hidden artistic gem waiting to be discovered, with a village-like feel, just minutes from the city.

It's renowned for its centuries-old pottery-making tradition. As you walk through the narrow alleys, the array of beautiful ceramic goods and handcrafted pieces is spectacular. From intricate vases to adorable figurines, this is a great chance for a more unique souvenir from Vietnam which is significant in the rich Vietnamese craft heritage.

Ba Vi National Park

Just 1.5 hour drive from Hanoi, Ba Vi National Park is a beautiful natural escape with stunning mountain ranges, a tropical forest ecosystem and a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Ba Vi is one of the best day trips from Hanoi for adventure and nature lovers, being just short drive away but with epic hiking trails and beautiful views.

Don't miss hiking one of the park's famous 3 peaks, Emperor Peak, Tan Vien Peak and Ngoc Hoa. These mountains have religious significance and the most famous is Emperor Peak where you'll find the Uncle Ho Temple at the top of 1100 steps. In autumn, see cloud inversions here and in the spring you can see wildflowers.

You can visit the old French ruins, or explore the diverse wildlife at the bird garden, swim in swim spots like Suoi Nga or see waterfalls like Thac Cong Troi or Thuong Temple.

Tam Dao was awarded the world's leading town destination in 2022 at the World Travel Awards in Oman.

Tam Dao means 3 islands and being a mountainous town, the region often rises out of the clouds like "three islands". The region is mountainous and cool, making it popular for domestic visitors particularly.

The unique style of the town is also somewhat reminiscent of European architecture with colourful buildings and a French influence.

Some of the best things to do in Tam Dao:

Hike to Tam Dao's Three Peaks - if you visit on a day with low cloud, the view is magical

Explore the Tam Dao National Park

Visit the colourful old French Villas

Xa Huong Lake is a peaceful spot for a picnic or a leisurely walk, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains

Tam Dao Market for traditional delicacies and handmade souvenirs

See the views from the Cloud Bridge

Truc Lam Tay Thien Zen Monastery

Be prepared for multiple seasons in a day, often called the "Dalat of the north" Tam Dao can be sunny and clear one minute and very cold and windy the next!

Long Bien Flower Park

Another great and easy option for day trips in Hanoi, Vietnam is Thai Nguyen Hoa Long Bien which is a flower field in Hanoi just 20 minutes from the city centre.

This is a beautiful attraction with flower fields, photography opportunities and outdoor exhibitions and events. There are also minature towns of Hoi An and sheep roaming if you want more unusual photo opportunities.

Of course the Hanoi flower park is seasonal so you may want to check what's flowering before you visit. While the park aims to have flowers in bloom all year round, the season will determine what flowers you actually see. For example, November and December are popular for daisies, sunflowers in March, yellow chrysanthemums and roses in the summer and you can even see Plum trees if you don't have time for the trip to Moc Chau to see the plum blossom!

Soc Son - Ulesa Retreat

I've not been here, however my cousin has lived in Hanoi for over three years and she told me about this place which is 1 hour from Hanoi and the perfect off-the-beaten-path Hanoi destination.

Nha Ben Rung ULesa is a great option if you're looking for unusual or unique places to stay near Hanoi. They have a hobbit house, a treehouse cabin, a domed mushroom house built into the mountain, forest cabins, glamping and so many other unique accommodation options tucked into the forest. There's also a pool area and full facilities so you can escape and relax for a unique weekend away just 1 hour from Hanoi.

The best part? prices start from as low as £30 per night! Find out more here .

Perfume Pagoda and Yen Stream

Visiting the Perfume Pagoda is a popular and easy day trip from Hanoi. This sacred site is located among lush mountains and is a unique insight into Vietnamese Buddhist culture.

The journey to the pagoda is an adventure itself, you take a boat trip down the scenic Yen Stream and walk up the mountain, but there's also an option for a cable car if you prefer.

There's also plenty of day tours from Hanoi to help you get to the Perfume Pagoda easily, check prices and availability here.

Summary: the best day trips from Hanoi, Vietnam or overnight Hanoi side trips

If you have the time in your itinerary, the richness and diversity of places to visit near Hanoi are well worth spending an extra day or two in Northern Vietnam for.

From serene boat rides down Yen Stream to spectacular rice terraces and unique accommodation, these Hanoi day trips and overnight destinations will show you even more of what North Vietnam has to offer.

Pin for later to plan your future trip!

The Unknown Enthusiast

9 Can’t Miss Day Trips From Hanoi, Vietnam [2024]

Looking for the best day trips from Hanoi? I’ve got some great suggestions for you – read on for details!

Hanoi, the cultural capital of Vietnam (and actual capital for that matter) is a must-visit for anyone visiting the country. Indeed, Hanoi, with its romantic old-world streets, unique history, and amazing food was a high point in our trip to Vietnam.

But once you’ve wrapped up your time in the city itself, there is a myriad of interesting day trip opportunities to experience even more of Vietnam’s gorgeous landscapes and cultural destinations.

These day trips from Hanoi, whether you’re visiting ancient temples, rice terraces, beautiful waterways, or small villages, provide a glimpse into Vietnam’s history and charm, and leave a lasting memory of this southeast Asian country.

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9 Incredible Day Trips from Hanoi, Vietnam

1. quang phu cau – the incense village.

Recommended Tour : Colors of the Incense Village Tour ⭐ Ratings : 5 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time : 5-6 hours

There are many exquisite craft villages near Hanoi, but the most picturesque among these villages must be Quang Phu Cau, known as the Incense Village . This beautiful village has upheld the ancient practice of incense craftsmanship for more than a century.

No matter where you visit in Vietnam, you will observe yellow and red incense sticks being used for worship at temples and pagodas. These incense sticks are an integral aspect of an important part of Vietnamese culture, and a trip to the incense village is both culturally significant and also extremely beautiful.

And it is absolutely a sight to behold – as bundles of incense sticks are fanned open to dry and cure, and the streets and large and small courtyards are covered in brightly covered incense bundles. Often, the locals will arrange these rows of colorful bundles into pretty designs.

It is polite and expected to tip around 50,000 VND (about $2) to take photos around the incense bundles, which is a small price to pay for one of the most incredible, photogenic places in Vietnam .

How To Visit:

By Bus : Take the #91 Bus south from Hanoi. Ask the driver to stop at Quang Phu Cau for you.

By Taxi : You can hire a taxi to take you down, but make sure you ask him to stay, as taxis can be hard to find in the village.

By Private Guided Tour : This is one of the best options for visiting the Incense Village, as your private guide will pick you up, drive you directly to the village, and then take you around the village and show you all the stages of incense production.

This particular tour has a focus on getting great pictures, so your guide will show you the best places and help you get the best shots.

👉 Check prices and availability for this Incense Village tour here

2. Van Phuc Silk Village

Recommended Tour : Cu Da and Van Phuc Villages Tour ⭐ Ratings : 5 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time : 8 hours

One nearby but still fascinating day trip from Hanoi is the Van Phuc Silk Village. Located just 10 kilometers southwest of Hanoi, this craft village is a respite from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Van Phuc has a 2000-year-old history in the ancient art of silk weaving. You can watch talented silk weavers ply their craft on simple looms to create colorful silk fabrics. Stroll the streets to browse the many boutique shops selling high-quality silk apparel and cloth. 

As you enter the ornate gate of the silk village, your senses come alive with views of the umbrellas of many colors shading the streets. There is a beautiful garden with a tranquil pond and an impressive shrine. You will also find a temple honoring Ho Chi Minh, who resided here at one time.     

Van Phuc is the oldest silk village in Vietnam making it a must-see attraction. The vibrant colors of silks will draw you to explore the beautiful streets. Silk articles from Van Phuc make a wonderful gift or souvenir of Vietnam.

By Bus : There are multiple buses that run throughout the day to the Silk Village – I’d recommend just checking Google Maps to see the best option from where you’re located. The bus will take about an hour.

By Taxi : You can hire a taxi to take you down, or you can use Grab, Vietnam’s version of Uber , to order a car. It’s a good idea to ask your driver to wait for you to return.

By Private Guided Tour : This is one of the best options for visiting the Silk Village, as your private guide will pick you up, drive you directly to the village, and then take you around the village and teach you about the production of silk, and show you the best shops

You’ll also visit another nearby fascinating craft village that makes vermicelli noodles and soybean paste.

👉 Check prices and availability for this tour here

3. Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong)

Recommended Tour : Perfume Pagoda Tour from Hanoi ⭐ Ratings : 5 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time : 8 hours

The Perfume Pagoda is a bit of a hidden gem day trip from Hanoi (at least for foreigners), but it is still one of the most interesting  places to visit in Vietnam . When you go, you’ll enjoy a very local experience, and one of the few Westerners around (when we visited, we counted maybe 10 among thousands of locals).

But what is the Perfume Pagoda? This is a complex of Buddhist temples built along the Houng Tich mountain chain. Chua Trong, located inside a cave, is the most important of the temples.

Getting to the Perfume Pagoda is an experience and part of the fun of this day trip. You are better off arranging a  guided tour such as this one.  Indeed, while the area is actually quite close to the city, there’s a lot of traffic that makes moving around on public transport even slower.

To visit the Perfume Pagoda, you’ll first ride in a wooden boat ride along the Yen stream to Thien Tru harbor. Boats are traditionally maneuvered by women and move quite slowly through the valley, so it is a very pleasant ride – the surrounding views are stunning.

Once you get to Thien Tru, you will find what really looks like a market, with food and souvenir stalls. You can hike up to the various pagodas and caves and then take the cable car down for even more impressive views.

One thing to keep in mind is that this part of Vietnam can be very humid, so depending on the time of year you are visiting, you may find quite a bit of mist and muddy terrain. Wearing good hiking boots with a good grip is essential for this day trip, even if you think you will just be sightseeing! 

By Bus : The village where the boat tours to the Perfume Pagoda start is Ben Duc Village. There are multiple buses that run throughout the day to Ben Duc and you can look them up on the transit tab of Google Maps. However, the bus can take over 3 hours to reach Ben Duc, whereas a car is almost half that, I’d recommend doing a tour or hiring a driver.

By Taxi : You can hire a taxi or order a Grab to take you down. It’s a good idea to ask your driver to wait for you to return.

By Private Guided Tour : Your local guide will drive you directly to the village docks, where you’ll get in a boat and enjoy the gentle ride down the river. You’ll take a cable car ride up the mountain and then stop at all the caves and pagodas that dot the mountain as you walk back down.

The views, activities, and experiences all make for an unforgettable Hanoi day tour.

4. Ninh Binh/Tam Coc

Recommended Tour : Highlights of Ninh Binh Tour ⭐ Ratings : 4.97 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time : 11 hours

Located two hours south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh (and the neighboring town of Tam Coc) are beautiful destinations. Known as “Halong Bay on land”, Ninh Binh and Tam Coc are filled with tall limestone cliffs reminiscent of what you’d see in Halong Bay, with a vast network of waterways that wind through the mountains.

The top thing to do in Ninh Binh is to go on a boat tour through the waterways, on a traditional wooden boat rowed by a local woman or man. These tours will take you on the rivers and streams, through the river caves, and up to different pagodas and temples right on the river shore. These waterways are also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You can also visit the Hang Mua Caves, which is a beautiful viewpoint on top of some mountains, or the Bich Dong Pagoda, located nearby. The Hoa Lu Citadel is also a fascinating stop in Ninh Binh, as this was the capital of Vietnam in the 11th and 12th centuries.

This was probably our favorite spot we visited in all of North Vietnam – we loved biking around the countryside, the laidback vibes, and the beautiful views.

By Train : Ninh Binh has its own train station, and there are direct trains a couple of times a day from Hanoi down to Ninh Binh. You can check the schedules and make reservations on 12 Go Asia

By Guided Tour : A small-group guided tour is a great way to experience Ninh Binh, as the sites are spread out in the countryside enough that you’ll either need to take taxis or rent a scooter or bicycle to get around.

This tour takes you to all the main points in Ninh Binh – that we mention here, and also gives you some time to bicycle around the countryside.

5. Halong Bay

Recommended Tour : Full Day on Halong Bay from Hanoi ⭐ Ratings : 5 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time : 12 hours

Halong Bay is one of the most popular and well-known destinations in all of Vietnam, and is very deservedly a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The entire bay is filled with these tall, sheer, limestone mountains that emerge from the water everywhere you look. While many people choose to spend a couple of days on an overnight cruise in the bay, if you’re limited on time, you can definitely have a great time on a day trip.

On a Halong Bay day cruise, you’ll get in a traditional “junk boat” and glide between the breathtaking mountain-meets-bay landscapes. You’ll also get the chance to visit floating villages, go kayaking in the bay, visit some caves, go swimming, eat a seafood lunch, and of course, relax on the boat’s sundeck.

By Guided Tour : For this day trip, I actually think the only option to consider is going by guided tour because the logistics are just much simpler.

You’ll get round trip transportation from Hanoi down to the harbor in Halong Bay and then all the activities mentioned above.

6. Lan Ha Bay

Recommended Tour : 5 Star Lan Ha + Halong Bay Day Cruise ⭐ Ratings : 4.88 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time : 12 hours

If you want to see the turquoise waters and lush limestone islands of Ha Long Bay—but without all the crowds, take a daytrip from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay, which is located adjacent to its more famous cousin.

From Hanoi, you’ll need to either take an organized tour or, alternatively, a bus and ferry to Cat Ba Island, which takes approximately three and a half to four hours (one-way).

From Cat Ba, you’ll have a few options to explore the stunning scenery of the Gulf of Tonkin. For example, there are several outfitters on the island, which will provide you a kayak rental and transfer to Lan Ha Bay.

Once on the water, you can take a self-guided tour around the beautiful lagoons and hidden caves, carved into the massive karsts, the bay has to offer. 

Alternatively, if you want to cover more ground (or, in this case, more water!), consider going on an organized tour, which usually will include a cruise on a larger boat. You’ll be able to see way more of the gorgeous limestone islands and dive a bit deeper into this unique area this way. 

For example, many tours, like this one , pass by or even stop at floating villages, where families of fishermen depend on the ocean for food, income, and even shelter. Additionally, most of these tours include cruising around the bay at sunset, so you can take in the towering karts, illuminated by golden light.

By Bus: There are multiple buses running from Hanoi to Halong Bay every day. I would recommend checking timetables and making a reservation on 12Go Asia .

By Guided Tour : A guided day tour from Hanoi to Lan Ha and Halong Bay is certainly going to be the easiest option, by far. This tour provides round trip transportation from Hanoi to the docks, plus your 5-6 hour boat cruise. Your boat is updated and modern and has nice places for lounging,

The tour includes lunch, cruising through the bay, kayaking, plus time for swimming and playing on the waterslide and water trampoline.

7. Cat Ba Island

Recommended Tour : Cat Ba: Rock Climbing on Moody Beach Tour ⭐ Ratings : 5 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time : 11 hours

Often noted as one of the most beautiful islands in Asia , Cat Ba Island is the perfect place for an adventurous day trip from Hanoi. It is the largest island in Halong Bay, but is a much more affordable place to experience the beautiful beaches and clear waters of this region.

From Hanoi, Cat Ba Island can be reached by car in two hours or by bus in just over three hours.

There are plenty of activities to do on the island including hiking through the National Park and spotting Langurs (small monkeys with golden hair), swimming in the sea at one of the four secluded beaches (aptly named Cat Ba Beach 1 to 4), taking a cruise along Lan Ha Bay, or trying one of the most popular things to do in the area, rock climbing.

Cat Ba Island has plenty of places to rock climb including Moody’s Beach and Hai Pai Beach, which are both adorned with steep limestone rocks. They are perfect for beginners or experienced climbers, but it is best to join a tour as some of the beaches can only be reached by boat.

By Guided Tour : Definitely the best way to visit Moody Beach and go rock climbing is with a tour group. which includes all the necessary gear and equipment, help from experienced professionals, lunch, time for swimming on the beach, and a ride on a traditional junk boat.

It doesn’t include transportation from Hanoi, but the tour will give you information on what buses to take from Hanoi to reach their location.

8. Duong Lam Ancient Village

Recommended Tour : Duong Lam Local Life Village tour ⭐ Ratings : 5 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time : 9 hours

Reachable in under 2 hours by road from Hanoi, Duong Lam Ancient Village is an easy side trip from Vietnam’s capital city. Perfectly suited to history/architecture buffs and families alike, Duong Lam offers visitors the opportunity to step back in time and get a taste for what Hanoi might have been like in centuries past.

Located in the Red River Delta, Duong Lam is an agricultural settlement and living museum where much of the traditional village architecture has been preserved. This includes the old village gates, communal courtyard and water well, and more than 900 traditional wooden houses.

Things to see in Duong Lam include the many pagodas, the elegant Mong Phu village hall, and the ancient banyan trees. In recent years several contemporary art galleries and trendy cafes have popped up, too.

Duong Lam is easy to get to by taxi or public bus. The village is compact and relatively straightforward to navigate – set out on foot, following your nose down the winding alleyways, or hire a bicycle from one of the vendors near the main gate and cycle around.

For a more in-depth look at village culture and the Northern Vietnamese traditions that are still alive in Duong Lam, join an excursion from Hanoi with a local guide .

Remember that Duong Lam is a real village where families live and work – please be courteous and respectful of people’s privacy when exploring, and especially when taking photos.

By Bus : There are multiple buses that run throughout the day to Duong Lam – I’d recommend just checking the transit tab on Google Maps to see the best option from where you’re located. The bus will take about 2-3 hours.

By Taxi : You can hire a taxi to take you down, or you can use Grab, Vietnam’s version of Uber , to order a car. It’s recommended to ask your taxi or driver to wait for you at the village.

By Private Guided Tour : This day tour to Duong Lam from Hanoi gives you an insightful and interesting experience in the village. In a small group, your local guide will show you the historical sites in town, take you to the temples, and introduce you to an ethnic family, who you’ll have lunch with.

9. Mai Chau

Recommended Tour : Mai Chau Full Day Guided Trip ⭐ Ratings : 5 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time : 10 hours

Mai Chau  is located in northern Vietnam, only a three-hour drive from the lively capital Hanoi. It’s the perfect destination if you want to get out of the city and visit a tranquil place where life still goes at a relaxed pace.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, in Mai Chau, you can find lush rice paddies, towering limestone karts, and stunning valleys.

The area is inhabited by the White Thai ethnic minority known for their warm hospitality and traditional stilt houses that dot the landscape. A great way to immerse yourself in the character of Mai Chau is to participate in activities organized by the White Thai, like taking part in a weaving class or participating in traditional dances.

Furthermore, Mai Chau is a trekking and cycling paradise with cute roads that are car-free and beautiful terraces of rice fields to explore higher up in the mountains.

You can also find many more attractions in Mai Chau like caves, Hoa Binh Lake, and the Goc Lao Waterfall. If you don’t have your own wheels, Mai Chau is best explored from Hanoi by an organized tour. This  full-day tour from Hanoi  with lunch lets you take in the most important sights.

Mai Chau is a particularly good day trip from Hanoi if you don’t have time to make it out to Sapa , but want to experience the beautiful rice-growing countryside of Vietnam.

By Bus : I wouldn’t recommend going by bus to Mai Chau – first off, there isn’t a direct bus, and second, any route that involves a bus is going to take much longer, making it almost not worth the trip out. I’d go with a private driver, but ideally a guided tour for this experience.

By Taxi : You can hire a taxi or get a Grab to drive you to Mai Chau, but you will definitely want to arrange for the driver to wait and take you back to Hanoi.

By Guided Tour : This small group tour to Mai Chau includes a driver to the countryside – you’ll stop at mountain passes to admire the view, and then visit several of the villages in the valley. You’ll enjoy lunch with a local family, and then hop on a bike to explore the beautiful hamlets and admire the rice fields in the valley and on the terraces.

The Wrap Up – Best Day Trips from Hanoi

We had an incredible time exploring Hanoi, but to truly experience Vietnam you will want to explore the other amazing sights and treasures in the regions around it. Using Hanoi as a base for these trips, you can sample from the various delights Vietnam offers.

Hopefully these examples can inspire you to visit and dive deeply into Vietnamese culture. Happy travels!

Stephanie is the author of The Unknown Enthusiast. She's visited 21 countries and 37 of the 50 US states (but her first love will always be France). When she's not traveling, she enjoys reading, taking naps, playing games, eating popcorn, and spending time with her husband (Matthew) and 4 daughters. Stephanie lives in Alabama, USA.

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22 Best Day Trips from Hanoi

Culturally enriching; Vietnam is a country where local traditions reign and residents are beyond proud of their heritage. Part of its charm is that it’s pretty untouched by “Westernized” influences, and many of its destinations are as it once was, say, 100 years ago!

Divided by the north and south, if the capital city is your base, uncover northern worlds of wonder during these best day trips from Hanoi ! From mountains to valleys to jungles to lakes to oceans, you’re in for a traveler’s treat of note.

In the Land of Rice Fields, some of the most breathtaking are close to Hanoi , like Mai Chau or the famous Mu Cang Chai terraces. Visit ancient cities, see ruins and temples, notable pagodas and spiritual sites (many listed by UNESCO and with facets dating to the Bronze Age!).

Cycle around the countryside between verdant paddies and smiling local communities; boat on lakes and rivers with emerging peaks around you or on the coastal waters of iconic Halong Bay, where karst limestone giants tower above you.

Visit a traditional ceramic village or the iconic Silk Village, bike road trip to national parks, follow the hiking trails and there are even beaches to adventure to!

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

• day trips from Hanoi

1 – For insane views above rice paddies and rivers, hike up to Mua Cave

A regular on Instagram feeds, this is one cavern system when, strangely enough, most of the exploration is done around and on top of Mua Cave!

Fast facts:

• It’s rumored to be modeled after the Great Wall of China.
• It means Dancing Cave, named by a king.
• It’s about ten minutes from Tam Coc.

The cave is technically a viewpoint, perched high atop the Ngoa Long Mountain. Getting here requires a bit of footwork, leaving behind pathways of lotus ponds and trekking up the hill to reach Hang Mua (as referred to in Vietnamese).

En route to the top, winding pathways lead to seriously scenic vistas — like that iconic shot standing above the twisting Ngo Dong River — and pose alongside majestic dragon statues and the remnants of ancient Buddha structures.

(Keep eyes peeled for a small pagoda and the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue.)

Climbing 500 stone steps, you’re treated to the most insane views for miles, and the ascend to Ngoa Long Mountain’s summit brings you to this incredible watchtower.

Situated within Ninh Binh’s undulating mountains, the cave is located in the Trang An Landscape Complex. Ninh Binh tours from Hanoi are one of the most popular day trips!

Travel time: 1h42mins

• Mua Cave tours from Hanoi

2 – Picture Vietnam nearly 1000 years ago in Hoa Lu

Travel back in time to when the country was ruled by dynasties at Hoa Lu, also known as the “Ancient City.” Enveloped by towering limestones, discover the landmarks spread across bridges, lakes and hills.

Circa the 10th century, it was, in fact, a former Vietnamese Kingdom, known as Dai Co Viet , ruling from the 10th to 11th centuries and was the official capital of Vietnam at the time.

From 968 until 1010, its royal citadel served three different dynasties (Dinh, Le and Ly), and the various structures and buildings relate to each of these, some even added years later.

What to see at this UNESCO site?

• Bao Thien Tue Palace for its architectural integrity.
• The One Pillar Pagoda, i.e., Nhat Tru Pagoda.
• Climb a flight of steps to reach Dinh Tien Hoang Temple (Dinh Dynasty) and Le Hoan Temple (Le Dynasty), both reconstructed in the 17th century.
• The tomb of King Le Dai Hanh (ruler of the Le Dynasty) is kept at the foothills of Ma Yen Mountain.

Speaking of that, go trekking to the top of the 200-meter-high Ma Yen Mountain for unparalleled views over the Ancient City!

Another fun outdoor activity? Cycle around Hoa Lu’s local villages, like Tam Coc — more on that later.

Travel time: 1h38mins

• Hoa Lu tours from Hanoi

3 – Tick Halong Bay (a UNESCO World Wonder) off your list

Welcome to the greatest natural wonder of Vietnam, and officially one of the New 7 Wonders of the world (as of 2011), i.e. Halong Bay!

Fusing ocean vibes, culture and nature into one, its bay is littered with staggering limestone karsts and wild and rugged islets of all shapes and sizes.

Junk boats cruise by brimming with curious travelers; floating markets appear out of nowhere with local vendors selling snacks and fresh produce from their wooden plank-keel boats; and fish farms bob on the bay.

Naturally, discover Halong Bay during boat cruises , with agendas full of island hopping, cave explorations, beach fun and even cooking classes. There are various types of boat trips to choose from, from party boats to lunch cruises to overnight catamaran stays.

Sites to see include:

• Its many caves: the famous Dau Go Cave (Wooden Head) on Dau Go Island, Thien Cung Cave (Heaven Palace), Hang Bo Nau (Pelican Cave) and Hung Sung Sot Cave and Hang Trinh Nu, i.e., Virgin Cave (both on Bon Island).
• Islands and islets: Dau Be Island for swimming and snorkeling among grottos; crescent moon-shaped Ti Top Island; Quan Lan Island for seafood; and “Fighting Cocks” Islet, also known as Trong Mai (Ga Choi) Islet.

Go kayaking , kite surfing or even test your skills at rock climbing. For something truly remarkable, opt for a 30-minute seaplane over Ha Long Bay.

Forming part of the Ha Long Province, you can also check out some of the sights on land, for example, Sun World Halong Park and Quang Ninh Museum, or enjoy a hike up Poem Mountain (Bai Tho Mountain) for jaw-dropping vistas over Halong!

Travel tip: Check out these multi-day trips from Hanoi , converting your day excursion into a once-in-a-lifetime experience; spending a night or three on Halong Bay.

Travel time: 2h12mins

• Halong Bay tours from Hanoi

Read more: Best Halong Bay Cruises from Hanoi

4 – Rice paddies, waterfalls, cherry blossoms and epic local villages, visit scenic Mai Chau

Cycle through fields of rice paddies, admire houses built on stilts, meet smiling locals on their daily commute, shop for tribal textiles and fabrics and treat your tastebuds to a different type of Northern cuisine in evergreen Mai Chau.

This countryside destination is often favored by travelers who really want to visit Sapa but aren’t sold on a five-hour car ride, offering a similar cultural away-in-the-hills vibe.

It’s easy to walk around Mai Chau, or our favorite mode of transport is exploring the rural district on bicycle for a couple of hours!

Exercise your legs a different way and go hiking through its mountain-top neighbor, the breathtaking Pu Luong Nature Reserve . The drive up to the reserve along the unique Thung Khe Pass is like anywhere else on Earth — just don’t look down!

Without even trying, learn more about the six ethnic groups calling these parts their home, including the Black and White Thais, Muong and Hmong ethnic minority tribes.

Compare the different textiles that each produces at the Pa Co Fair Market (a great spot for local street food, too); visit the Pom Coong Village and Lac Village; and watch a White Thai musical dance performance.

Don’t miss some of Mother Nature’s wonders either, including Go Lao Waterfall, Mỏ Luông Cave, sakura’s blossoming between October and December, and the brightest green paddies during autumn.

Travel time: 3h44mins

• Mai Chau tours from Hanoi

Looking for something fun to do? Check out the best rafting tours from Hanoi ! 

5 – Visit the country’s other “Ha Long Bay”: Tam Coc

In the land of mystery and wonder, here’s another setting that leaves remnants of other destinations…

Dubbed “Halong Bay on Land,” it’s easy to put two and two together why it’s garnered the nickname — cue the sky-rising limestone karsts protruding out emerald-colored waters and boats gently floating along the river …

The difference here is the inland setting, wrapped in verdant rice fields and fruit orchards.

Useful to know, this tourist area is referred to as Tam Cốc – Bích Động. ‘Tam Cốc’ refers to the natural caves and karsts, and ‘Bích Động’ refers to the mountain temples. The local village is also known as Tam Coc.

There’s no question about it, you have to experience Tam Coc for yourself by boating through all of its magic along its Ngo Dong River (running through the village). Trips typically bring visitors to Tam Cốc’s three main caves: Hang Cả, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba.

Must-see sites include:

• The insta-worthy three-tiered Bich Dong Pagoda (comprising the Ha, Trung and Thuong Pagodas).
• Vu Lam Palace — used as a defense base against Mongolian invaders.

After exploring, try the area’s local delicacy: com chay , made from crispy rice. Street food vendors sell it or find it on a menu at one of the local restaurants.

Some lovely dining options for a pukka authentic meal are Thung Sen Tam Coc: Tam Coc Secret Garden , Minh Khoi Restaurant, An Tam Coc, Ninh Loan Rose Restaurant and Ngo Dong Vegan Restaurant .

Travel time: 1h40mins

• Tam Coc tours from Hanoi

6 – Catch a gondola to a cave temple: Perfume Pagoda

How incredible does catching a cable car through centuries-old pagodas and ancient caves sound? Your final destination? A Buddhist temple inside of a cavern!

Named after the Huong Tich Mountain range surrounding it, when translated it means ‘Mountain of the Fragrant Traces,’ hence the Perfume Pagoda’s English title.

Known as Chua Huong in Vietnamese, the only way to reach this spiritual complex is by boat. Speaking of, for hundreds of years, it’s been a local pilgrimage site, pilgrims journeying up from the river on foot.

Hopping off of the Yen River, the sightseeing starts immediately!

Highlights comprising the Hương complex include:

• Đền Trình (Presentation Shrine)
• Thiên Trù Temple (Heaven Kitchen) is referred to as the “outer temple”
• Giải Oan Pagoda with its pond, is known as the ‘Clearing Unjust Charges’ pagoda

The star attraction is Hương Tích Cave: the sanctuary on top of a hill dedicated to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), the Southeast Asian god of compassion, and the cable car lands directly here!

Travel time: 2 hours on the road and a 45-minute boat trip on the water until you reach the Perfume Pagoda

• Perfume Pagoda tours from Hanoi

7 – Rent a scooter and bike around Ba Vi National Park

Are you keen on a bike trip? If there’s one destination easily doable by motorbike/scooter and requires only 20 minutes of navigating Hanoi’s chaos (before you exit the city), it’s to Ba Vi National Park. Then the rest is driving through the countryside scenery and past a million stalls selling milk (sữa).

The park is massive, and there’s so much to do and see around here, it all depends on what you’re after.

A winding tar road runs throughout the main park area, and you’ll spot many other roadtrippers traveling from one section to the next, the road leading all the way to the highest point: Vua Peak!

Trek through forest stairs to the top of the Upper Temple (Den Thuong) on Tan Vien Peak, and the vistas from here are sublime!

En route, pull over into the forest and hunt down the derelict French church covered in vines and moss — such an insta-worthy moment!

On that note, happy snappers and green-fingered fundis, check out the cactus greenhouse (Vườn Xương Rồng), posing with giant cacti.

Hike around the area to caves and waterfalls or attempt one of the summits; picnic in the Pine Forest and frolic in flower fields, and if you’re keen to taste new things, enjoy a super local lunch at one of the Vietnamese restaurants.

There are the bulk of attractions within the main park area, but also on the bottom outskirts of Ba Vi are a few designated “tourist areas” (like Dong Mo and Ban Xoi Valley), where you can hang out around lakes, canoeing, picnicking and even golfing!

Travel time: 1h23mins

• Ba Vi National Park tours from Hanoi

Travel tip: check out the best motorbike tours from Hanoi  

8 – Shop for silk and see how it’s made at the Van Phuc Silk Village

After the best day trips from Hanoi that are close by? Or ones that are super family-friendly? Look no further than the Van Phuc Silk Village.

Just 30 minutes outside of Hanoi, it’s one of the most popular day ventures (advertised everywhere in the Old Quarter), some tours stopping at the 11th-century Buddhist Thay Pagoda on the way to the 1,000-year-old silk manufacturing commune.

Forget about any ‘Made in Vietnam’ stores here, and instead, see where the “Made in Van Phuc” silk products originate!

Witness firsthand the art of silk production, watching ladies spin wheels from thread to textile! Most of the houses are converted into silk shops.

A prized fabric around the world, you can shop for super cheap silk products, from silk pashminas to bags to handkerchiefs to ao dais (the traditional Vietnamese dress).

Interestingly, the products are made from different types of silk, for example, van silk or satin silk.

Arriving at the village, the entrance road is lined with strings of colorful umbrellas hanging across houses from either side! It’s such a pretty backdrop!

Travel time: 22 minutes

• Silk Village tours from Hanoi

9 – With its Alpine landscape, misty valleys and unique culture, fall in love with Sapa

Hike mountains beneath forests off bamboo shoots and between bushes of indigo flowers, meet local farmers and ladies carrying baskets of harvested treasures, gaze upon endless rice terraces and catch a cable car to the highest peak in Indochina, Mt. Fansipan, in spectacular Sapa.

It’s a one-of-a-kind wonder that feels like anywhere else in Vietnam, tucked away in the misty Northern hills.

From the main town, which has this French/Swiss feel to it, explore its mix of Vietnamese and European buildings or grab a bite on the balcony of a cute cafe.

Don’t miss the French Notre Dame Cathedral (referred to as the Sapa Stone Church), SUP on the artificial Seo My Ty Lake, photograph the British-style clock of the Sun Plaza building and shop for patterned belts, bags, pillowcases and other traditional wear, textiles and fabrics at the Sapa Market.

Head down from the main town into the mountains, home to five ethnic tribes. Trekking and hiking tours are from here, with dedicated trails through the Muong Hoa Valley or to local villages, for example, Cat Cat – Sin Chai Village.

Bathe in hot springs at Ban Ho Village, canyon down Love Waterfall, soak in native medicinal plants at Red Dao herbal baths or stand with your head in the clouds on Ham Rong Mountain.

P.S. If you do have the time, the overnight train journey between Hanoi and Sapa is unreal — not to mention staying in Sapa at an authentic homestay! Speaking from experience, it’s the trip of a lifetime!

Travel tip: Leave extra early in the morning for this one!

Travel time: 5 hours

• Sapa tours from Hanoi

Check out the best multi-day trips from Hanoi !

10 – Feel like a pirate in peaceful Lan Ha Bay

Do you prefer to take the road less traveled? While Lan Ha Bay is no hidden secret, it is appreciated for being a quieter companion to the globally recognized Halong Bay.

Its limestone makeup is pretty identical to Halong, and the bay sits in front of busy Cat Ba Island, jam-packed with on-land activities! Considered a slightly less touristy option, this has many pros!

Its 300-odd karst formations and 130-or-so-white sandy beaches are not as visited; therefore, their natural beauty has remained pretty much untouched!

Sea caves aren’t overloaded with kayaks and because there aren’t as many boats cruising around, snorkeling visibility around its bays is fab!

With fewer people in sight, the landscape makes you dream of movies like Avatar, or you feel like some sort of maritime explorer.

Apart from sea kayaking (Ba Trai Dao island, Tra Bau, and Ba Ham Lake are popular places), go canoeing, scuba diving or even rock climbing! Or, learn how sea gypsies live at the floating Cai Beo Fishing Village.

Travel time: 2.5 hours

• Lan Ha Bay tours from Hanoi

11 – Get your spiritual on at the Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex

In the midst of karst mountains, rice fields and mist rolling in stands a statuesque Bell Tower — spotted from miles and miles around Ninh Binh.

Housing the largest gilded bronze Buddha in Asia, Asia’s tallest stupa, the largest number of Bodhi trees in Vietnam and Southeast Asia’s biggest bronze Maitreya Buddha statue, welcome to the world-record-breaking Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex!

(And that’s only covering half of its distinguished titles!)

Vietnam’s largest pagoda complex has a fascinating history, chronicling back to the Dinh, the Le and the Ly dynasties who ruled over the Ancient City (Hoa Lu).

The architecture of the temples, pagodas, stupas and towers relates to this time period, but there is a new section added to the complex in the 2000s, so there’s a feeling of old-meets-new.

What to see at the new Bai Dinh Pagoda (built between 2003 and 2010)?

• The 22-meter-high lotus-shaped Bell Tower
• The corridor with 500 stone Arhat Statues
• Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara Hall
• Phap Chu Hall houses the country’s largest bronze Buddha
• Tam The Hall
• 13-story Bao Thap Tower
• The Maitreya Statue, Stone House, Bodhi Tree Garden and Releasing Lake

Located 800 meters from the new pagoda, here’s what to see at the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda: the Ngoc Well (Pearl Well); the Light Cave and the Dark Cave; Cao Son Temple and Saint Nguyen Temple.

Travel time: 1h45mins

• Bai Dinh tours from Hanoi

12 – Enjoy a simpler life (and ceramic shopping) in Bat Trang Ceramic Village

Enjoy life in the slow lane in time-warped Bat Trang Ceramic Village, where time-honored pastimes, i.e., the art of ceramic-making, have been carried down generations and are still the main activity of this local community.

This lazy, dusty village is on the banks of the Red River, and if you drive past the village’s entrance too quickly from the main road, you’ll blink and miss it!

Entering its first roads, local houses spill over with ceramics of all kinds, but there’s a main market in the center of the village for all your ceramic shopping needs — pick up ornate vases, bowls, mugs, toys, trinkets, decorations and more — all made from ceramic!

Around the market are a handful of authentic Vietnamese restaurants (the classic rustic kind you find in the countryside) for a banh mi or a quick bowl of pho .

Get hands-on and learn from the professionals when joining a pottery-making workshop! For the finale, visit the Bat Trang Pottery Museum.

Travel tip: Hunt the outskirts along the river banks for thrown-away treasures (albeit el defecto ), but this adds half the charm — and stories!

Travel time: 43 minutes

• Bat Trang Ceramic Village tours from Hanoi

13 – See one of the world’s Top 10 rice terraces in Yen Bai

Rolling rice paddies that seem to never end, clouds creeping in over the bright green then yellow terraces … Yen Bai, you’re all too beautiful!

The province itself is pretty big, with a main city and seven districts, but it’s really the local villages, communes and scenery of its highlands’ makeup that sets this destination apart!

In high demand among bike trippers, there’s so much natural scenery to fall head over heels in love with, and with many natural attractions and activities.

Don’t miss:

• The famous Mu Cang Chai rice terraces
• Muong Lo Valley
• 20-meter-tall Pu Nhu Waterfall
• Thac Ba Lake
• Tram Tau Hotsprings
• Trekking in Ta Xua Mountain
• Driving along the Khau Pha Pass
• Suoi Giang and its tea plantations and Hmong tribes

Immerse yourself culturally at the Ngoi Tu Village, home of the Dao people, and this is another village in Vietnam where you will see stilt houses.

Feeling adventurous? Try the local delicacy: Yen Bai stir-fried larvae, eaten for its medicinal properties! It’s one of the best day trips from Hanoi.

Travel time: 2h51

14 – Ride a traditional boat through Trang An

Hoa Lu and Tam Coc, along with the Trang Ang tourism area, make up the Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex, right near Ninh Binh on the Red River Delta.

Another Ninh Binh local, it’s also a hotspot in the area for boat rides through its otherworldly setting, trailing through deep-green grottoes, between valleys and water caves!

Nature freaks, Trang An boasts two types of ecosystems: its limestone habitat and its aquatic ecosystem – both teeming with fauna and flora.

Wild orchids, honeysuckle, juniper berries, Indian mahogany trees and Chinese yam are just some of the plants flourishing in these parts, but there are over 500 identifiable species.

Underwater life is home to the endangered striped neck turtle, as well as numerous types of freshwater plankton and benthos (critters that live on the river floor).

History buffs: The caves around here date back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.

The Ancient City and all its temples and palaces, along with the local Tam Coc village, are all part of UNESCO-listed Trang An, and a nifty day trip is to visit all in a day — departing from Hanoi extra early to get the most out of each.

Travel time: 1h41mins

• Trang An tours from Hanoi

15 – Admire 400-year-old houses made from laterite, bamboo and other raw materials at Duong Lam Ancient Village

One of our favorite parts of traveling is learning about new cultures, especially when you have the chance to chat with locals! Vietnam is perfect for this; its smiling residents are overloaded with hospitality!

End up spending time drinking green tea with the locals and swapping stories (with those that can speak English or French), see terra cotta pots come to life from clay and discover what the country was like before any modernization!

Located in the Son Tay district, this area is still technically part of Hanoi, but it’s roughly 50 kilometers from the Old Quarter and close to Ha Dong’s side.

But you don’t feel like you’re in the hive of the bustling city in the slightest at the Duong Lam Ancient Village, where thousand-year-old houses have been preserved like a still moment in time, and centuries-old traditions are still a part of everyday living.

Still today, the village holds extreme significance among Northern Vietnamese as the birthplace of two famous kings: Phung Hung (born in 761 CE) and Ngo Quyen (born in 896 CE).

Ride a bike through the sleepy commune, investigate the remnants, visit the local market and lap up the genuine atmosphere — from the architecture to the people.

Travel time: 1h19mins

• Duong Lam tours from Hanoi

16 – Hike through Vietnam’s oldest national park: Cuc Phuong National Park

Picture this jungle setting: overgrown ferns, ginormous delicious monsters, lakes, rice paddies and butterflies … Outdoor adventurers, nature appreciators and wildlife lovers, lace up your trekking boots and enter Cuc Phuong National Park, kicking things off at the Visitor Center for the first introductions.

A 1,000-year-old tree is proudly rooted here, endangered clouded leopards creep beneath the jungle, and red-bellied squirrels scuttle around the trees.

Boasting more than 15 different trails, uncover Edens of natural wonders, from its fauna to the flora to the natural resources!

Main day treks include:

• The 3-kilometer Botanical Garden Loop Trail
• Mac Lake Mountain Peak Trail
• Cave of the Prehistoric Man (30 minutes to one hour)
• The three to four-hour Fossil and Ancient Tree Loop Trail
• The seven-kilometer Thousand Year Old Tree Loop Trail and Palace Cave
• Silver Cloudy Peak trail to Cuc Phuong’s tallest peak
• The one-hour uphill Observation Lookout Trail

Other paths lead to more park highlights such as Ngan Hang Cave and the local Muong Village where you can watch a traditional music performance.

Pop into the Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC) or the Carnivore and Pangolin Education Centre for an insightful experience. More fun activities to do include bamboo rafting, bird-watching, bike rides and kayaking!

Travel time: 2h40mins

• Cuc Phuong National Park tours from Hanoi

17 – Have a beach day at Cat Ba Island

Craving some TLSea? We don’t blame you; Hanoi, with all its weirdness and wonderfulness, can feel a little claustrophobic with a thousand and one bikes on the road, hooters going off and swarms of tourists flooding its streets.

Leave behind the madness and live it up island style — although Cát Bà Island isn’t your typical Thai or Balinese vibe! But that’s half the magic about visiting here; you can get a real sense of what a Vietnamese isle is all about!

Part of the Cat Ba Archipelago, it’s the biggest island in Lan Ha Bay, but many travelers skip the Bay and travel straight here.

(If you are keen to check out both, join one of the boat tours or charter a private catamaran for the day from Cat Ba around Lan Ha Bay, breaking in between karst islets for swimming and snorkeling and with a BBQ lunch onboard. Not sold on a cruise? Opt for a kayaking adventure instead.)

Otherwise, around Cát Bà, rent out a scooter and drive around its verdant coastal cliffs and to mountainous viewpoints.

Go beach-hopping around Woodstock, Cat Dua (also known as Monkey Island Beach), Ba Trai Dao (also called Three Beaches Peach), Cat Co and Tung Thu Beaches, and Moody and Tiger Beaches have rock-climbing activities.

Feast on seafood, visit the local Viet Hai Village or hike through Cát Bà National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and its biosphere reserve.

• Cat Ba Island tours from Hanoi

18 – Compare architecture at Phat Diem Cathedral

Enjoy a silent retreat at tranquil Phat Diem Cathedral, where you instantly feel like you’ve arrived at some sort of ancient dynasty … it has this mystical regal feel about it!

But is it a Vietnamese temple? An age-old castle? Now, try not to fall over when you realize it’s actually … a Catholic Church (and seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phát Diệm in Ninh Binh)!

Constructed circa 1891 entirely from stone as well as wood, it’s famed for its fusion of East-meets-West architectural style.

Renaissance-esque-inspired arches and heavily intricate detailed wooden doors open to the cathedral, but then there are the classic Vietnamese temple vibes with the sides of the buildings and their low-hanging wooden roofs.

Inside are the altar and pews, and everything given a gold touch (which is also so typically Vietnamese). Outside, there are archetypal long sanctuary corridor paths and temple-like rockeries — but enshrine statues of Mother Mary.

Other religious buildings to admire within the complex are the chapels, Phuong Dinh (the bell tower) and the Trai Tim Duc Me Stone Church.

Travel time: 2h30mins

• Phat Diem Cathedral tours from Hanoi

19 – Walk up a set of stairs into the clouds in unique Tam Đảo

One of the first things you’ll notice when arriving in up-and-coming Tam Đảo (especially among young, trendy locals) is that the weather is instantly cooler out here, and it sort of has the same vibes as Northern Thailand.

It was actually named the “world’s best town destination in 2022” by the World Travel Awards™!

From a bird’s eye view, it appears like landscapes somewhere in the Swiss Alps, with European-styled castle-like resorts perched atop hills, misty clouds rolling in and curved roads between whimsical mountain towns.

Expect plenty of cool cafes (with views) for a cà phê sữa đá . Other spots with jaw-dropping backdrops (for photos) are Cầu Mây Studio with bamboo nests and staircases on the cliff’s edge, and the iconic Sky Gate walkway between the clouds! Or there’s also Silver Waterfall.

Tam Đảo National Park surrounds the town, offering plenty of hikes and nature-filled outings.

Walk through a bamboo forest and past hanging angel’s trumpets (i.e., the Brugmansia flower) at Princess Thuong Ngan Temple (Đền Bà Chúa Thượng Ngàn).

The Stone Church is another religious landmark, this one with a distinctly European feel, and the French constructed the Gothic-style Tam Dao Church.

20 – Swim at the unusual beach in Nam Dinh

What’s the fun in traveling to new countries if you simply follow the crowds? Pointing you out of the ordinary, you’ll especially love Nam Dinh if you appreciate architecture and could spend days admiring the intricate details of buildings and the facts behind each construction.

More so, there’s also a beach here: Thinh Long. Gaze upon fishermen at work on one end, and the other side has a shoreline chockablock with bathers, restaurants and souvenir stalls.

The Xuan Thuy National Park is unique to other national parks close to Hanoi because of its coastal wetland, and it’s the largest ecosystem of this kind in all of the north!

Wondering what’s the deal with all the churches? The French occupied Vietnam between 1858 and 1885 and definitely left their mark in their 26 years! For example, Nam Dinh’s Bui Chu Cathedral and Phu Nhai Basilica.

Cross cultures and visit the Tran Temple Complex of the Tran Dynasty (who ruled from 1224 to 1400)!

Travel time: 1h21mins

21 – Take a boat tour among lotus flowers on Quan Son Lake

Float among blossoming lotus flowers and dark dinosaur-colored waters along the sleepy Quan Son Lake, also known as the Quan Son Lake Ecotourism Area in My Duc.

The best time to visit to see the pink and white florals in full action is between May and June, but boating between giant lily pads is also magic!

There are dedicated boat tours along the lake, navigating between the natural flora and past caves, small islands and lushly decorated mountains. Surrounding the lake are 20 peaks, with a range of outdoor activities.

Trek Quai Cheo Mountain, Su Tu Island or Hoa Qua Son are examples, and how cool is this: all these islands and mountains are named after the shape they resemble.

On the way to Quan Son Lake, stop by the Buddhist Boi Khe Pagoda and visit the Chuong “Conical Hat” Village (both in Thanh Oai).

Travel time: 1h22mins

22 – Stand in two countries at once at Ban Gioc Waterfall

One that needs no introduction if you’ve got a Bucket List for the world’s best waterfalls, the massively majestic and powerful Ban Gioc Waterfall sits between the Vietnam and Chinese border!

Located on the banks of the Bằng Giang River, on one side is the Cao Bằng Province and next door is China’s Guangxi region — and by next door, we mean one step away, literally!

Also known as Detian Falls (in China), it comprises two falls, but a natural phenomenon sometimes makes it appear as one gigantic cascade! In Vietnam, locals refer to the waterfall in two parts: thác chính (main waterfall) and thác phụ (secondary waterfall).

Multiple falls at each pummel down from 30 meters high into one main natural pool, and therefore, swimming is strictly off-bounds!

You can, however, take a local bamboo raft around the pool with a local guide steering you close enough to get water kisses from the fountains!

The nearest Vietnamese city to it is Cao Bằng.

Travel time: 6 hours

• Ban Gioc Waterfall from Hanoi

Final thoughts

Whether you’re in search of an epic daytime excursion nearby to fill a few hours or are hunting down a day full of adventure of the most unique kind, these best day trips from Hanoi are enough to leave you amazed, with memories to last a lifetime!

Have you ever visited this part of Vietnam before? What were some of your favorite things to do in Hanoi ?

Hoan Kiem Lake? The history museums and sites? Quảng Bá Flower Market? Share with us your most memorable travel moments in the comments — we love hearing from our readers!

Moving on from Hanoi, check out the best places to visit in Southeast Asia . It’s super convenient and affordable to travel from one country to the next in SEA.

As always, happy travels!

10 Best Day Trips From Hanoi For Weekend Getaways

Are you planning a weekend getaway from Hanoi , Vietnam ? Here is the list of the top 10 best day trips from Hanoi, where you can easily spend 1 or 2 days.

1. Duong Lam ancient village

Only about 50km from Hanoi, Duong Lam ancient village will take you into the old space with mossy red roof houses, unique laterite walls, banyan trees, wells, and communal houses.

The best way to explore this village is by walking or cycling because you can explore the town without breaking the tranquility and peace here.

Duong Lam village still retains the color of time through these sites

• Mong Phu communal house: It was built 380 years ago, 1800m2 wide, imbued with Vietnamese – Muong architecture, simulating the architecture of stilt houses with wooden floors.
• Mr. Hung’s old house has been built since 1649, nearly 400 years, with 12 generations living here.
• Mrs. Dien’s old house (built 200 years ago)
• Mong Phu Catholic Church

Located about 86km from Hanoi, Tam Dao is an ideal mountain getaway in Northern Vietnam.

Nature and time give Tam Dao magnificent scenery: dreaming and fanciful clouds, houses along the mountainside, and fog on the top of the mountain.

There are not too many tourist attractions in Tam Dao, but it is enough for you and your travel partners to explore in 2 days one night here.

On the first day, you can explore Tam Dao stone church, Silver Waterfall, and enjoy the local dishes. On the next day, rent a bike to explore the scenery and relax at the homestay.

3. Ninh Binh

Located a bout 100 km from Hanoi , Ninh Binh is currently one of the most popular destinations in Northern Vietnam. 

Ninh Binh has a rich history and cultural values, majestic scenery, beautiful caves, and an impressive pagoda. Here are some suggestions for places to visit in Ninh Binh

• Bai Dinh pagoda

4. Cuc Phuong national park

Cuc Phuong National Park is a nature reserve with vibrant flora and fauna.

This place is a perfect weekend destination from Hanoi and an opportunity to learn more about nature and the environment. 

There are many activities that you can do at Cuc Phuong national park, such as 

• Walk or cycle in the primeval forest
• See wildlife at night
• Look out for birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects
• Visit biodiversity spots
• See Thousand-year-old tree and Son Cung Cave

5. Dai Lai lake

Only about a 1-hour drive from Hanoi, the fresh, natural space in Dai Lai will help you escape the hustle and bustle.

Coming here, you can admire the beauty of Dai Lai lake, visit Bat Cave, fishing, campfires, etc.

Sample Dai Lai Lake itinerary for two days, one night

• Day 1: Depart from Hanoi to Dai Lai, visit Dai Lai Lake and Bird Island. After meals and lunch breaks, see the pine forest. Enjoy dinner.
• Day 2: Visit buildings in the Flamingo area such as wine cellar, Opera Hall convention center, vegetable garden, and grass hill.

Ba Vi is also a not-to-be-missed destination near Hanoi for two days if you love mountain scenery.

The Ba Vi National Park is located in Ba Vi district, only 60 km from the center of Hanoi, about 2 hours by motorbike.

This charming place has romantic forests embracing the three highest peaks, Tan Vien, Vua, and Ngoc Hoa peaks.

This area also has a lovely small pine forest, an ideal place for sightseeing and picnicking. You can either drive or park outside and walk on the winding concrete road.

Some best places to visit in Ba Vi are

• Thuong Temple
• Historic area K9
• Ba Vi National Park: with a cactus house and pine hill
• Amusement parks such as Ao Vua – Khoang Xanh, Thien Son – Suoi Nga

7. Moc Chau

Moc Chau Plateau is a budget weekend getaway from Hanoi for those who love romantic scenery. It has a large area with a cool climate, impressive landscape, and easy travel from Hanoi .

Coming to Moc Chau, you cannot miss these remarkable destinations:

• Thung Cuong village
• Pa Phach village
• Moc Chau tea hill
• Ban Ang pine forest
• Tay Tien Forest Park
• Moc Chau Happy Land
• Son Moc Huong Cave (Bat Cave)
• Na Ka plum valley
• Long Sap border gate
• Laos market

8. Mai Chau

Bordering Moc Chau district of Son La, Mai Chau valley is a perfect destination to immerse in nature and explore the lives of the Thai ethnic.

There are many beautiful places to visit in Mai Chau, including

• Thung Khe Pass
• Mai Chau flagpole
• Exhibition house of Thai – Mai Chau cultural artifacts
• Mural Village in Hai Son, Mai Chau
• Gò Lào Waterfall
• Mo Luong cave
• Lác, Poom Coọng, Văn, and Bước village

9. Tram Mountain

Tram Mountain is located in Chuong My, Hanoi, only 25km from the capital. This area is ideal for spending a relaxing weekend with your friends or partner.

Tram Mountain has gentle slopes with green grass so you can climb safely and camp.

Most services, such as camp rental, guides, or parking, are only available at the foot of the mountain. Therefore, you need to prepare food to bring when coming here.

10. Bat Trang pottery village

In just over 30 minutes by motorbike from the capital, you can get to Bat Trang pottery village.

Here, you can see and buy some ceramic products in the market or try making pottery in small shops.

Ha is an avid traveler and writer with a background in marketing & hospitality. She's lived in a few countries and traveled to more than 30. When she's not traveling or writing, Ha loves trying new recipes.

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The Top 7 Day Trips from Hanoi: How to Choose (Expert Guide)

Hanoi is the hub of Northern Vietnam. It is convenient to take day trips from Hanoi to explore the north of Vietnam.

In the east, Halong Bay is a world-renowned natural beauty spot, while to the south are the idyllic countryside of Ninh Binh and the dense green forests of Cuc Phuong National Park.

In this article, you can not only find out what day trip options are available, but also read our expert advice to help you choose trips that match your interests and situation.

1. Ninh Binh — for idyllic countryside scenery

• Distance: about 100 km (60 miles) from Hanoi, a 2-hour drive

Ninh Binh is well-known for its stunning landscape, limestone karst, mysterious caves, and lush paddy fields.

It is an incredible experience to take a boat trip at Tam Coc or Trang An , which is promoted as "Halong Bay on Land" (if you'd like some help choosing between the two, contact us for an insider's suggestion). A 2–3-hour journey along a winding river and canals will allow you to enjoy views of mountain cliffs, paddy fields, and hidden caves.

It is also popular to take a bike trip around the countryside in Trang An and Tam Coc. En route, climb up to the Hang Múa viewpoint to enjoy a bird's-eye view of Ninh Binh.

2. Halong Bay — for UNESCO heritage seascape cruises

• Distance: about 160 km (100 miles) from Hanoi, a 3½-hour drive

Halong Bay is a must-see attraction in Vietnam. It is a UNESCO Heritage site celebrated for its rugged limestone islets, karst caves, and turquoise water.

A one-day trip from Hanoi to Halong Bay is possible, but not a nice choice. It is not worth a journey of about 4 hours (each way) just to stay a few hours on the bay. A 4–6-hour cruise trip would give you a quick tour around the famous landmarks of the Bay.

A 2-day cruise with one night on the boat is recommended for a more relaxing trip . You will have a chance to experience activities like cycling on an islet, swimming, and kayaking.

See our private Hanoi and Halong Bay tour for inspiration or contact us to solve any puzzles you may have, such as how to choose a suitable cruise, and how to choose between Halong Bay and nearby Bai Tu Bay and Lan Ha Bay.

3. Mai Chau Valley — for hiking or cycling through remote villages

• Distance: about 140 km (87 miles) southwest of Hanoi, a 3½-hour drive

Mai Chau, located in an idyllic river valley, is an escape from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi.

Surrounded by a lush landscape and dotted with green rice paddies and small villages, this breathtaking valley is exactly what you might imagine if you picture the Vietnamese countryside.

If you're looking for an exciting adventure, Mai Chau might not a great option, but it's perfect for relaxing cycling or hiking.

It is possible to take a day trip, but many travelers spend a night there to experience the traditional stilted houses , which are home to the White Thai ethnic group.

Check out our sample itinerary including Mai Chau for inspiration.

4. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital — for a glimpse into Vietnam's history

• Distance: about 90 km (55 miles) south of Hanoi, a 2-hour drive

If you are interested in the history of Vietnam, you could spend a day in Hoa Lu, which was once the capital of Vietnam during the 10th and 11th centuries.

Besides exploring historical relics, you can also hike up one of the small mountains surrounding the citadel to enjoy breathtaking views of the ancient capital.

5. Cuc Phuong National Park — for a green paradise

• Distance: about 130 km (80 miles) from Hanoi, a 3-hour drive

If you are a nature lover, you can consider a day trip to Cuc Phuong National Park, which is one of Vietnam's largest parks and home to incredible biodiversity.

You can visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Central where rare primates of Vietnam are reared and rescued, discover the "Cave of Prehistoric Man", a place preserving archaeological sites of prehistoric people thousands of years ago, and enjoy a wilderness trek through the dense, verdant jungle valley to a giant ancient tree, where you can enjoy the beauty of fauna and flora.

One of the best times to visit is from April to May, which is butterfly season.

It is easily accessible from Ninh Pinh. Many travelers combine it with a Ninh Pinh trip.

6. Perfume Pagoda — for a mix of culture and scenery

• Distance: about 50 km (30 miles) from Hanoi, 1-hour drive

If you want to have a cultural experience, you could take a day trip to Perfume Pagoda, which is one of the most sacred places in Northern Vietnam .

Beyond its complex of around 30 Buddhist shrines, it offers spectacular scenery of limestone cliffs and captivating caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites.

You can travel by boat to the base of a mountain and then climb the steps or opt to ride the cable car up to Huong Tich Cave.

Try to avoid weekends as it is busy with local people then.

7. Bat Trang Village — for local pottery

• Distance: about 15 km (10 miles) from Hanoi, a ½-hour drive

Bat Trang Village is just a 30-minute drive away from Hanoi Old Quarter. It is a good day trip option if you don't want to spend too much time on the way.

Bat Trang Village is famous for being a ceramic and pottery center. It is a place often enjoyed by parents and children. You can walk around the village to immerse yourself in rural life, admire a wide selection of ceramics, and learn about Vietnam's traditional crafts. You could join in a pottery class to experience Vietnamese pottery making.

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It was a whirlwind across a number of cities, but a very comprehensive experience across the many sides and cultures of China. Most days had sufficient activities, but weren’t overwhelming, which was great.Across cities, we had excellent tour guides, like Kitty (Beijing), Jenny (Xian), William (Guilin/Yangshuo), Kris (Shanghai), and Tony (Yellow Mountains.)

From the time we landed in Beijing until we left, we were well taken care of. My wife and I had Lily Liu as our guide and she was amazing. From arranging visits to all the different sights, to teaching us the history, it was fantastic.

The tour was excellent. Selinda was very knowledgeable about all the aspects of our tour. Selinda was very interesting and knew so much Chinese history

We made a private tour through South China in January 2024. Altogether Chengdu was the highlight. We had an incredible day at Emeishan. In Chengdu our guidewas Helen. She was the diamond of all. Speaking fluently English, full of interesting stories, laughing and talking all the time. We missed her the rest of our tour. We highly recommend to go to Chengdu for 3 days when visiting China, especially with Helen.

Other highlights are too many to mention but here are a few Ken taking us to the Terracotta Warriors and our food tour in Xian was amazing,

Our day volunteering at the Panda Base was truly unforgettable. Helen, our guide, provided us with invaluable insights about Chengdu and the pandas, enriching our tour with her knowledge and expertise. We're grateful to Helen for accompanying us throughout the day and showcasing the highlights of China.

We had a booking with China Highlights through Silvia Ye who guarenteed a perfect organisation. In Chengdu our guide was Helen. She was the diamond of all. Speaking fluently English, full of interesting stories, laughing and talking all the time. We missed her the rest of our tour. We highly recommend to go to Chengdu for 3 days when visiting China, especially with Helen.

We traveled to China during the Chinese new year and we had Kris as our guide and he is simply knowledgeable,helpful and great.

We visited Guilin for 2 days and stayed in the Guilin Waterfall hotel. Guilin was absolutely beautiful! Our guide, William, was very knowledgeable and kind! He taught us so much about Guilin and the surrounding area! We really enjoyed trying the specialty rice noodles of Guilin. Our highlight was the Li river cruise.

Amazing tour and the guide Mr. 贺霄 was very accommodating with our needs and request as we have bought our 2 years old with us. Well explained for all the place we visited. Any additional cost were informed well ahead and didn't felt any pressure if we opt not to go for additional detour. The trip was relaxing/ laid back/no rushing with zero shopping!

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The 16 Best Hanoi Day Trips (2024)

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is renowned for its incredible street food, charming colonial architecture in the Old Quarter, bustling markets, and the unique Train Street. 

However, there is so much more to explore beyond the city of Hanoi. The natural and cultural wonders surrounding Hanoi and northern Vietnam are simply amazing.

From UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Ha Long Bay to breathtaking national parks such as Ba Vi National Park and Cuc Phuong National Park, the day trips you can take around Hanoi are absolutely incredible.

Hanoi is a fantastic starting point to discover the hidden gems and remote attractions of the region, as well as other parts of northern Vietnam.

On my visit to Vietnam, I went on several day trips around Hanoi. Let me give you a quick overview of my favorite Hanoi day trips.

1. Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay makes the first places, as it is truly breathtaking! As a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its thousands of limestone karsts and islands, it's an absolute paradise to explore with a boat tour for a day or even overnight.

The area consists of over 2000 limestone islands and islets rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. This incredible natural wonder is located just about 2.5 hours' drive away from Hanoi, making it one of the best day trips you can take from Hanoi.

You have the option of either a one-day trip or a multi-day trip, but for the ultimate experience, I highly recommend joining a boat trip that will take you around Ha Long Bay for at least two days. 

Trust me, waking up in the morning on a small cruise or sailboat amidst the mesmerizing limestone formations is simply incredible!

My day trip recommendations:

2-Day Cruise Trip

1-Day Ha Long Bay Cruise

2. Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh, a province often referred to as the “Halong Bay on land,” is a truly breathtaking place.

It boasts stunning natural wonders such as lakes, rivers, rice fields, caves, and magnificent limestone formations.

Once you arrive, you'll instantly understand why it earned that nickname.

The area is especially popular among tourists for what is called Mua Cave, which is not actually a cave but a complex of steep limestone cliffs rising from the ground, offering an amazing viewpoint from the very top. It's worth climbing up there to see the natural beauty of the region.

The scenery is simply out of this world! It's even been used as a filming location for several movies, including King Kong Skull Island.

Ninh Binh, Trang An, Bai Dinh, and Mua Cave Trip

Bai Dinh, Trang An, and Mua Cave Full-Day Tour

Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, is an incredible day trip from Hanoi! It's filled with magnificent temples and shrines dedicated to the ten emperors of the Dinh Dynasty.

The atmosphere and location of this historical capital are truly dramatic, nestled between breathtaking limestone formations and mountains.

If you have a passion for culture and a keen interest in history, Hoa Lu is undoubtedly one of the most interesting day tours to experience around Hanoi. But even if you're not into history, it's still a great way to spend the day exploring the beautiful temples and stunning scenery.

Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip

4. Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda, nestled in the beautiful mountains southwest of Hanoi, is an incredible complex of Buddhist temples and shrines. It's one of Vietnam's most sacred sites and welcomes hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every year.

A day trip to the Perfume Pagoda is a serene experience that starts with a peaceful boat journey lasting around 1.5 hours. Once you arrive, you'll then climb up several hundred steps to reach the pagoda. 

Just keep in mind that because of its proximity to Hanoi, the Pagoda can get quite busy with tourists, especially during the high season.

Full-Day Perfume Pagoda Private or Small-Group Tour

5. Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba Island, one of the largest islands in Halong Bay, is a must-visit gem that deserves a special spot on this list. This untouched paradise offers a unique and paradise-like experience. 

You can explore its national park and wilderness, soak up the beauty of its pristine white sandy beach for a relaxing sunbathing session, and even discover a remarkable sight – a cave hospital that played a vital role during the Vietnam War.

Ha Long – Lan Ha Bay: 3-Day Tour on 5-Star Cruise

6. Trang An

Trang An is an amazing destination within the Ninh Binh region near Hanoi. It's a magical blend of mountains, rivers, and gorgeous limestone caves that you can explore on a boat ride.

You'll find plenty of activities to enjoy in and around Trang An, such as kayaking, swimming, and visiting the nearby temples and pagodas. 

The highlight here, however, is taking one of the small wooden boats through the incredible caves and waterways, which is an unforgettable and unique experience.

Tucked away in the Ninh Binh region, Tam Coc is a truly magnificent landscape of limestone karsts, rice paddies, and winding rivers. This area was once known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam and you can still see this in its beautiful terraced fields. 

The most popular activity here is taking one of the small boats through the fascinating limestone caves which are simply magical. 

The boat ride takes about 2 hours and shows much of Vietnam's beautiful countryside.

8. Ha Giang Loop

The Ha Giang Loop is an incredible motorbike tour around the north of Vietnam. It takes you through some of the most remote and untouched areas in northern Vietnam, including dense forests, tribal villages, and majestic mountains. 

The highlight of the Ha Giang Loop is a journey over the Quan Ba Pass and the Twin Mountains. This is an absolute must-see for anyone who loves adventure and exploring off the beaten path.

It's one of the most challenging routes in all of Asia due to its tough terrain – but the stunning landscapes and incredible culture make it totally worth it.

My trip recommendations:

2-Day 2-Night Motorbike Tour of Ha Giang Loop

9. Mai Chau Valley

The Mai Chau Valley is exactly what you would imagine the Vietnamese countryside to be. Here, you'll find lush green rolling hills, rice paddies, and small rural villages wherever you look.

It's a great place for a day trip if you want to escape the city life of Hanoi and experience authentic Vietnamese culture.

The Mai Chau Valley is home to various ethnic minority groups with unique cultures, including the White Thai people. You can go trekking through their villages, take a bike ride through the countryside, and admire the lush landscapes.

It's also one of the best places to try proper traditional food made from fresh, local ingredients.

Once again, you have the option to choose between a one-day or a two-day trekking and cycling trip. Personally, I believe that if you have the time, the two-day trip will give you a deeper insight into the traditional life here.

Mai Chau Full-Day Guided Trip with Lunch

Mai Chau Valley & Hill Tribes 2-Day Trek Tour

Sapa, far up in the north, is truly a hikers' paradise. From here, you can explore the breathtaking mountainous landscape that's filled with lush valleys, colorful hill tribe villages, rice terraces, and some of Vietnam's most magnificent views.

Visiting Sapa and staying with a Vietnamese family is an awesome way to immerse yourself in the life of a remote village. You'll be warmly welcomed by a local family and have the chance to learn about their rich culture, traditions, and way of life.

Sapa's true highlight however is Mount Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam and Indochina. You can take a cable car to reach the peak. The cable car ride takes about 15 min and the views from the top are simply breathtaking!

2-Day Sa Pa Ethnic Homestay Tour with Trekking

The Roof of Indochina – Fansipan Hiking Full-Day Trip

11. Bai Dinh

Bai Dinh, more specifically, the Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex, is an incredibly special place in Vietnam.

This amazing complex is home to hundreds of statues, stunning monuments, and the biggest Buddha in all of Vietnam, standing at 10 meters high.

It has become a popular destination, attracting people from all over the world who are eager to explore its rich history and learn more about the country's culture.

12. Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong National Park is Vietnam's biggest national park, spanning over 22,000 hectares of lush green forest. It's an incredible place with a diverse range of flora and fauna.

You'll find 97 species of mammals, including the endangered langurs, 300 species of birds, 36 reptilian species, 17 amphibian species, 11 fish species, 2,000 species of vascular plants, and thousands of insect species.

What makes it even more special is the primate rescue center, where you can have an up-close and personal experience with some of the endangered primates. 

Cuc Phuong National Park from Hanoi

13. Ba Vi National Park

Ba Vi National Park is such a stunning place near Hanoi. It offers a unique opportunity to explore nature and learn about wildlife.

Not only does it boast breathtaking mountains, lush forests, and serene streams, but it's also home to some rare species of primates.

The national park is perfect for adventurous souls who love jungle trekking. There are plenty of trekking trails and super fun waterfalls to discover.

The park even has mysterious French ruins that add a touch of intrigue to the whole experience. Pretty cool, huh?

Ba Vi National Park Trekking Discovery Day tour

14. Bat Trang Village 

Bat Trang, an ancient pottery village, is a truly unique gem located not too far from the bustling city of Hanoi. It is full of culture, history, and craftsmanship, and is known for its exquisite ceramic and pottery products that are both functional and visually stunning. 

Here, you can engage in a hands-on pottery-making class where you not only get to experience the life of a local artisan but also craft your own unique piece.

Wander through the narrow alleys to find charming ceramic houses, and don't forget to buy some souvenirs from this cute little village.

Bat Trang Pottery ancient village

15. Duong Lam

Another ancient village near Hanoi is Duong Lam, where you can find stunning structures dating back to the 17th century.

Authentic traditional houses built from clay and laterite are scattered throughout this tranquil village, adding to its charm and beauty. It isn't a place that's often visited by tourists, so it still retains an air of mystery that makes it all the more fascinating.

Apart from admiring old housing structures, you can also take a leisurely walk through the village and explore local life. The friendly locals will be more than happy to share stories about their history and local culture.

8-Hour Countryside Tour to Duong Lam Village

Book Your Trip To Vietnam

Book Your Flight I recommend using Skyscanner as the easiest way to find and compare the best airfares to and within Vietnam. Book Your Hotel My top pick for finding the perfect accommodation is Booking.com , as they guarantee the best room rate available, plus you get free cancellation on most bookings. Book Your Tours & Activities  I like finding and pre-booking tours with  Get Your Guide and Viator . You will book with instant confirmation, great customer support, and free cancellation for many activities. Access Money Overseas Without Hidden Fees  I highly recommend  getting a Wise account  to withdraw money in Vietnam, pay for meals on the Visa card, or shop in Vietnamese Dong. With Wise, you always pay the real exchange, so you never pay more than you need to. Stay Connected Anywhere Getting an eSIM card from Airalo eliminates the need for physical SIM cards, so you can easily switch between mobile networks in over 190 countries worldwide without expensive roaming fees. Don't Go Without Travel Insurance Travel with confidence, knowing that Hey Mondo , my preferred travel insurance provider, has your back. Don't let illness, accidents, theft, or cancellations ruin your trip. As a Breathing Travel reader, you also get 5% off any policy purchased !

Hanoi Day Trips – Frequently Asked Questions

🏘 where should i stay in hanoi.

Hanoi is a great city with plenty of accommodation options. From luxury hotels to budget hostels, there is something to suit every taste. Popular areas in Hanoi include the Old Quarter, Ba Dinh District, and West Lake. To find out more about Hanoi's districts and hotels, check out my complete guide on  where to stay in Hanoi with all my recommendations.

📅 How many days should I spend in Hanoi?

The amount of time you should spend in Hanoi depends on your interests and the number of day trips you plan to take. If you want to explore all that Hanoi has to offer, then I would recommend spending at least 4-5 days in the city.

🌄 What is the best day trip from Hanoi?

This is a tough question to answer because there are so many incredible day trips from Hanoi. But let's be real, Ha Long Bay with its stunning waters and impressive limestone formations definitely takes the cake on this one!

🚤 Is visiting Halong Bay worth it?

Yes, absolutely! Its beauty will take your breath away, and the experience of cruising in a luxury cruise ship around Halong Bay's limestone islands is something you won't forget. But even if you're just going for a day trip, it's definitely worth it; the views are still breathtaking.

💰 Are Hanoi day trips expensive?

That depends on the type of day trip you choose. Some of the more popular trips, like Ha Long Bay, can be expensive, especially when wanting to stay on a more luxurious ship overnight. However, there are also a lot of cheaper options available, such as shared cabins, as well as visiting local villages and temples. Halong Bay cruises start at around US$50 for a day but can also get quite expensive, with up to US$200+ for a 2-day luxury cruise. With a bit of research, you should be able to find something that fits your budget.

Hanoi day trips – Final Words

When you're in Hanoi, exploring the wonders of northern Vietnam is an absolute must. From the absolutely stunning natural attractions like Ha Long Bay to the rich cultural sites such as Hoa Lu, there are so many amazing day trips you can take.

I know you won't be able to do all of them in one go, but at least this list of my favorite day trips will give you a better idea of what there is to do so you can maybe pick one or two.

Whether you're seeking adventure or simply want to delve deeper into the charm of Vietnam, make sure to add these best Hanoi day trips to your travel itinerary. With all these incredible options, you're bound to have a fantastic day or two away from Hanoi

Please note, this post may contain affiliate links, which means that – at absolutely no cost to you – we earn a small commission on sales generated through this website. We only recommend sites we actually use and thank you for your support!

About the Author: Breathing Travel

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10 best day trips from Hanoi

A day trip from Hanoi is a great way to explore the surrounding areas and experience the culture, history, and natural beauty of Vietnam. With a variety of destinations to choose from, such as Halong Bay, Tam Coc, and the Perfume Pagoda, you can tailor your trip to your interests. Day trips typically include transportation, entrance fees, and a guide, making them a convenient and hassle-free way to explore. However, keep in mind that some destinations may require a lot of travel time, so it’s important to plan accordingly.

1. Halong Bay

A day trip from Hanoi to Halong Bay typically involves a drive through the countryside to reach the bay, followed by a cruise through the stunning limestone karsts and islands that make up the bay. You can also opt to kayak or swim in the bay, visit a floating village, and enjoy a seafood lunch on board the boat. Some tours may also include a stop at a pearl farm or a visit to a cave.

While a Halong Bay day tour from Hanoi is certainly possible and can be a good way to experience the beauty of the area if you’re short on time, many travelers would recommend spending at least one night in the area to truly appreciate its natural wonders and peaceful atmosphere. Additionally, a day trip can be quite hectic with a lot of traveling and limited time for activities.

2. Perfume Pagoda

Visiting the Perfume Pagoda in a day trip from Hanoi is a great way to experience the spiritual and natural beauty of Vietnam. The Perfume Pagoda, or Huong Pagoda, is a complex of temples and shrines built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich Mountain, surrounded by lush forests and streams. The journey to the pagoda includes a scenic boat ride and a cable car ride up to the mountain, followed by a hike up steep steps to the pagoda.

Once you reach the pagoda, you can explore the various temples and shrines dedicated to different Buddhist deities, and observe the locals praying and making offerings. The pagoda is especially busy during the annual Perfume Pagoda Festival, which takes place from the 6th day of the first lunar month to the end of the third lunar month.

Overall, the experience of visiting the Perfume Pagoda in a day trip from Hanoi is a unique and rewarding way to connect with Vietnam’s spiritual traditions and natural beauty.

Tam Coc , also known as the “Halong Bay on land,” is a scenic area located about 100 kilometers south of Hanoi. A day trip to Tam Coc typically involves a boat ride along the Ngo Dong River, passing through caves and limestone cliffs, and admiring the beautiful scenery of rice paddies, lotus ponds, and local villages.

During the boat ride, you will be paddled by a local rower using their feet, which is an interesting and unique experience. You can also opt to climb up to the top of one of the karst mountains to get a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

The day trip to Tam Coc often includes a visit to the nearby temples of Thai Vi and Bich Dong, which provide a glimpse into the local culture and history. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to visit a local market or village to interact with the locals and learn about their way of life. Overall, a day trip to Tam Coc is a great way to experience the natural beauty and cultural richness of Vietnam.

4. Mai Chau

Mai Chau is a rural valley located about 135 kilometers southwest of Hanoi, known for its scenic rice paddies, traditional stilt houses, and ethnic minority communities. A day trip to Mai Chau from Hanoi typically involves a scenic drive through picturesque countryside, a visit to a local market or village, a cycling tour of the countryside, and a traditional lunch with local specialties. The trip is ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and experience the natural beauty and traditional way of life of rural Vietnam.

5. Ba Vi National Park

Ba Vi National Park is located about 50km west of Hanoi and can be visited as a day trip from the city. The park is known for its lush greenery, scenic views, and fresh air. You can go hiking, bird watching, or take a cable car up to the summit of Ba Vi mountain for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. There are also several temples and pagodas within the park, including the 11th-century Thien Son Pagoda, which is built into the side of a mountain. You can expect to spend a full day exploring the park and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

6. Duong Lam Ancient Village

Visiting the Duong Lam Ancient Village on a day trip from Hanoi is a unique and cultural experience. Located in Son Tay, the village is about 60 kilometers from Hanoi and is known for its well-preserved traditional architecture, including old houses made of laterite bricks and wooden frames. You can explore the village’s narrow alleyways, visit its ancient temples and pagodas, and get a glimpse of rural life in Vietnam. Additionally, you can learn about the village’s history, dating back over 1,200 years, and enjoy local specialties such as Mia sticky rice and Gio Cha sausage.

7. Bat Trang Ceramic Village

Visiting the Bat Trang Ceramic Village on a day trip from Hanoi is a great opportunity to learn about traditional Vietnamese pottery making. The village is known for its high-quality ceramics and the chance to observe the process of pottery making from start to finish, including shaping, painting, and glazing. You can also try their hand at making their own pottery under the guidance of experienced artisans. In addition to pottery, the village also offers other handicrafts and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine.

8. Cuc Phuong National Park

Visiting Cuc Phuong National Park in a day trip from Hanoi is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Vietnam. The park is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including over 300 species of birds, 36 species of mammals, and many endangered species like the Delacour’s langur.

You can take a guided trek through the park to explore its caves, waterfalls, and ancient trees, or visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center to learn about the conservation efforts for primates in the region. There is also a botanical garden showcasing the diverse plant life found in the park. Overall, it’s a peaceful and refreshing day trip that provides a glimpse into the natural wonders of Vietnam.

9. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

A day trip from Hanoi to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is a great opportunity to explore Vietnam’s rich history and culture. Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Le dynasties, and there are many temples and pagodas that still stand from this period.

You can expect to see the famous temples of King Dinh and King Le, as well as the surrounding landscape of rice paddies and limestone karsts. The journey to Hoa Lu takes around two hours from Hanoi, and you can hire a guide or take a tour to learn more about the history and significance of this important site. Additionally, many tours include a bike ride or boat trip to explore the surrounding countryside.

10. Thay Pagoda

Thay Pagoda , also known as Master’s Pagoda, is a popular options for a day trip from Hanoi, located about 20 kilometers southwest of the city.

The pagoda is famous for its beautiful architecture and scenic location, nestled in the mountainous landscape. You can explore the complex, which includes several temples, pagodas, and other buildings, as well as a large lake and surrounding gardens.

One of the highlights of visiting Thay Pagoda is the water puppet show, a traditional Vietnamese art form that originated in the rice paddies of the Red River Delta. The show takes place on the lake in front of the main temple and features colorful puppets that dance and perform in the water.

In addition to the pagoda and water puppet show, you can also take a stroll around the lake or climb up the nearby mountain for panoramic views of the surrounding area.

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Local tip! You might like these experiences

Ninh Binh discover: Hoa Lu, Mua cave, Tam Coc & cycling day tour from Hanoi

• Learn more about the ancient history of Vietnam at Hoa Lu.
• Visit the best viewpoint of Ninh Binh at Mua Cave
• Enjoy a calm boat trip in Tam Coc with beautiful rice fields and impressive mountains
• Day trip from Hanoi by comfortable limousine van

Perfume pagoda day tour from Hanoi

Halong Bay luxury 1 day tour

• Enjoy a luxury boat and service while cruising through the bay.
• Explore by kayaking or bamboo rowing boat
• Visit Ti Top Island; best viewpoint in the bay
• Destination: Hanoi
• By: Marnick Schoonderwoerd
• June 8, 2023

Marnick Schoonderwoerd

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• 5 day trip destinations from Hanoi

All photography by Christian Berg

Go just a few hours outside of Hanoi, and you’ll find another world, one that can be dreamy, dramatic, and enriching all at once. After taking in the whirlwind of sights, tastes and sounds in the capital, it’s good to spend a day in the countryside, getting in touch with the nature and culture of Northern Vietnam. Whether you head west to the ocean, east to the mountains or set off for a nearby national park, you’ll be glad you made the effort. Here are five easy destinations to explore from Hanoi.

A relaxing retreat: mai châu.

In Northwestern Vietnam, a three and a half-hour drive from the city takes you into the mountains of Hoà Bình. Here you’ll find the peaceful valley of Mai Châu, nestled close to the border with Laos. With a mountain range hugging it all around, Mai Châu is a great choice for laid-back nature lovers looking to cycle through quiet rice paddy fields, enjoy authentic cultural experiences and devour scrumptious home-cooked meals. Spend a day visiting the valley, or stay the night in a Tày stilt house and catch a live dance performance and sunrise over the rice paddies. 

Read more: The essential guide to Mai Chau

A once-in-a-lifetime cruise: Hạ Long Bay

One of Vietnam’s most famous attractions sits right on Hanoi’s doorstep. Hạ Long Bay, and its less well-known neighbours (Bái Tử Long Bay and Lan Hạ Bay), are just two hours outside of the city. For a convenient day trip to this UNESCO World Heritage site, leave the capital at the crack of dawn. That way you can spend the day cruising in the sunshine, soaking up the magnificent landscape, exploring historic caves or kayaking in the jade waters. 

TIP: Bhaya Cruises -- a leader in sustainable cruising in Vietnam -- offers a comprehensive one-day excursion to Hạ Long Bay, including delicious meals and smooth transfers from Hanoi. Their traditional junk boats and smiling staff will make your Hạ Long outing unforgettable.

A day in the countryside: Ba Vì

An hour and a half from the capital, Ba Vì National park is a great gulp of fresh air. The rural hamlets and pastoral scenes on the way let you know you’ve definitely left the capital behind, and the park itself is full of bubbling brooks, lush jungle and lofty hills. Hike up one of the three peaks, where you’ll find a temple for national hero Ho Chi Minh and abandoned French military outposts. A soothing soundtrack of exotic birds, insects and frogs will keep you company at all times. Homestays and hotels are available in and near the park if you choose to stay the night.

A journey through history: Ninh Bình

What do a World Heritage Site, Vietnam’s biggest pagoda, and the country’s oldest national park have in common? They can all be found in Ninh Bình , a province just two and a half hours southwest of Hanoi. Ninh Bình can be seen in a day but be sure to arrange your tour in advance for a seamless experience. Float down a maze of waterways below epic karsts in Tràng An, before hiking up a hill to the epic viewpoint at Hang Múa. Don’t miss a visit to Hoa Lư, the ancient capital of the north, to discover the history of this area. If you want to extend your stay, kick back at a homestay enveloped by karsts in Tam Cốc. 

TIP: SensAsia offers one day and multi-day tours of this charming province with the expertise of a local guide and comfort of a private transfer. If you choose to combine several destinations in the north, look into their bespoke multi-day tours from Hanoi to Mai Châu, Ninh Bình and Hạ long Bay.

A spiritual adventure: Perfume Pagoda

In Vietnam, nature and culture are often intertwined, as the most beautiful areas were often chosen as sites for shrines, tombs, and palaces. This is the case at Perfume Pagoda, a series of pagodas and shrines set within the mouth of a cave just two hours from Hanoi. You’ll find the beauty of this destination not only in the sacred temple grounds but also in the journey there. Drifting along Yến stream, climbing the steps to the cave entrance, and marvelling at the impressive stalagmites are a few highlights to look forward to. 

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THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Hanoi

Day trips from hanoi.

• Hanoi to Ninh Binh
• Hanoi to Halong Bay
• Hanoi to Cat Ba
• Hanoi to Sapa
• Private Day Trips
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
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• Chinese (Traditional)
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi

2. Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

3. Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch

4. Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming

5. PRIVATE TOUR HALONG BAY ONE DAY with Cave, Kayaking, Bamboo Boat

6. Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Cave, Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch

7. Ninh Binh Day Trip: Hoa Lu-Trang An-Mua Cave, Buffet,Cycling,Boat

8. ALOVA CRUISE - PREMIUM DAY CRUISE in HALONG BAY - FROM HANOI

9. Highlight Ninh Binh Full Day Tour Tam Coc Boat, Mua Cave, Hoa Lu

10. Hanoi City Half-Day Private Tour: Train Street And All Highlights

11. Private Ninh Binh Luxury Day Tour (Tam Coc, Mua Cave, Cycling)

12. Halong Bay Full Day With Cave, Kayaking And Swimming - Highway Transfer

13. 1 Day Luxury Tour in Bai Dinh, Trang An and Mua Cave

14. Ninh Binh Day Trips- from Hanoi

15. Hanoi to Ninh Binh 1 day: Trang An - Tam Coc - Mua Cave - Hoa Lu

16. Halong Bay Deluxe Day Tour

17. Halong 6 hours Boat tour with Cave, Kayak, lunch, transfer high-way from Hanoi

18. Hanoi City Tour Full Day ALL IN ONE - ALL INCLUDED

19. BEST SELLER - Halong 5 Star Day Cruise: Buffet Lunch, Wine& Fruit

20. Halong Bay Full Day With Luxury Amethyst Cruise, Limousine,Buffet

21. Incense Village Small Group Of 9 Tour From Hanoi to Ninh Binh

22. Best seller Halong Bay Day cruise: Sung Sot cave, Titop, kayaking

23. Incense Village Private Tour from Hanoi to Ninh Binh Old Capital

24. LEADING: All inclusive 3D/2N on cruises in HALONG - many options

25. Sapa Trekking Tour 2 Days 1 Night By Bus

26. Diamond Halong 5-Star Day Cruise,Cave,Kayak,Jacuzzi Pool,Buffet

27. Full-Day Halong Bay 5 Stars Luxury Cruise Tour with Buffet Lunch

28. Ninh Binh Deluxe Day Tour To Visit Hoa Lu - Trang An - Mua Cave

29. Best Halong Bay Tour On Luxury Excursion Cruise 6 Hours Cruising

30. Deluxe Hoa Lu Trang An Mua Cave Small Group - Cruising, Biking,Hiking, Limousine

What travellers are saying.

• Christopher D 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend Great value for money, would definitely recommend if you can only do a day trip to ha long bay, the tour guide Long was very informative and good craic Read more Review of: Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Cave, Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch Written 23 March 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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• Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch
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7 Adventurous Day Trips from Hanoi — Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Trang An and more

Hanoi is great for Bun Cha and Pho, but the city’s bustling traffic can get overwhelming. If you’re craving for some nature and serenity, here are seven different day trips from Hanoi you can take.

Vietnam’s northern city of Hanoi charms with its duality of ancient and contemporary history, a great destination for the modern, feisty, nature-loving and adventure-seeking individual. The cherry on top for the perfect Hanoi trip is probably visiting any of these seven gorgeous destinations, all under a four-hour drive from Hanoi. 

1) Halong Bay (3 hrs from Hanoi City)

Many say that no trip to Northern Vietnam is complete without a visit to Halong Bay, and that’s no exaggeration. With about 2,000 limestone karsts rising from the emerald blue seas, Halong Bay ‘s magnificence bagged her the honour of being officially recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature .

Halong Bay can be explored on day cruises that set out from the Tuan Chau Marina Pier, which is a three-hour drive from Hanoi city. Most Halong Bay tours feature similar itineraries — a visit to Titop Island , a kayak activity, and a visit to a limestone cave.

Some may find the day trip to Halong Bay rushed factoring the 3hr journey, so if you have more time, do opt for the 2D1N and 3D2N tours to Halong Bay instead.

How to get there: For a self-guided tour, take a bus from Luong Yen bus station within Hanoi city to Bai Chay Tourist Wharf where the boats dock. Alternatively, you can save the hassle of finding your own transport with pre-booked fully guided tours .

Read also: 2-Week Vietnam Itinerary for the Adventurous

2) Ninh Binh (2 hrs from Hanoi City)

The province of Ninh Binh is about two hours away from Hanoi city and is a day trip destination that’s gaining traction among younger travellers these days. There are mainly two areas of attraction in Ninh Binh — Hoa Lu and Tam Coc .

Hoa Lu: History buffs would love this day trip destination. Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam between the 10th – 11th century, and the most visited monuments of this ancient citadel are two temples built in honour of past emperors, Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh. Although these temples aren’t as majestic as ancient Chinese or Japanese temples, they’re of importance to the Vietnamese for their historical value.

How to get there: If you’re visiting Ninh Binh on your own, Hoa Lu and Tam Coc each take up one day to explore. Take either a direct bus from Giap bus station in Hanoi that goes to Ninh Binh bus station every hour, or a train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. There are day trips organised by tour agents that bring you to both Hoa Lu and Tam Coc in a day.

Tam Coc:  Also in Ninh Binh province is Tam Coc, a flooded cave karst system. It is nicknamed “The Inland Halong Bay” as the view of the limestone karsts on the river is a striking resemblance to those of Halong Bay.

Most visitors do a rowboat tour at Tam Coc where the boatmen use their powerful legs to row the oars (you’ll have to see it to believe it!). It costs 195,000₫ per person to get on a rowboat and lasts about 45 mins down the Tam Coc river. It gets interesting when the rowboat goes through the hollow parts of the limestone karsts (caves!) as some of them are pitch black and can be quite a “terrifying” experience!

At the end of the ride, it’s advisable to tip the boatman for their hard work!

*Pro-tip: Bring along an umbrella or sun hat as the sun in Vietnam is quite unforgiving! Or, get Vietnamese conical hats ( non la ) from the peddlers along the pier before you get on the rowboat — it’s also one of the cheapest places to get one (~30,000₫).

You can also explore Tam Coc on a bicycle! Vietnam is the second largest exporter of rice in the world, and Tam Coc is one place where you can catch locals farming their own rice. During our day trip to Tam Coc, we cycled past a few rice paddy fields and villages.

How to get there: Book a day tour (~S$39)  if you’d like to visit both Hoa Lu and Tam Coc on the same day. Saves yourself some planning effort too!

Other highlights: If time permits, visit the Bich Dong Pagoda  that consists of three separate layered pagodas: Ha, Trung and Thuong. These three pagodas were built in ascending order and can be quite a workout to get to!

3) Trang An (1 hr 40 mins from Hanoi City)

Trang An is another hot favourite when it comes to day trips from Hanoi. While it’s marketed as an “alternative” to Tam Coc, Trang An’s captivating landscapes are not to be undermined. The stream is lined with some 2,000 bamboo boats to ferry visitors on sightseeing boat rides!

At 200,000₫/pax, the two-hour riverboat ride brings you to four different caves: Sang Cave (Bright Cave), Toi Cave (Dark Cave), Ba Giot Cave and Sinh Cave.

You may also know Trang An as one of the filming sites of Hollywood blockbuster Kong: Skull Island, which visitors can get a glimpse of during the boat tour.

The Bai Dinh Pagoda  is also another highlight of Trang An. The Buddhist Pagoda is the largest of its kind in Vietnam, so do allocate around 2–3 hours to explore all of it. Entrance to the pagoda is free but taking the electronic minibus to the pagoda costs 300,000₫ one-way.

How to get ther e: Trang An is about 8km away from Ninh Binh, so directions from Hanoi will be the same to Ninh Binh, though visitors will need to take an additional cab to Trang An. Alternatively, choose the fuss-free method and book a day trip to Trang An (~S$33) .

Read also: The Quirky 6D Central Vietnam Itinerary

4) Cat Ba Island (3 hrs 30 mins from Hanoi City)

Cat Ba Island is the largest island on Halong Bay, and it’s also a one-stop getaway destination for local and foreign tourists. The island offers adventurous activities such as snorkelling, diving, kayaking, and rock-climbing, and is attracting younger travellers who want to experience something unique to the usual Halong Bay cruises.

The Cat Ba National Park is also great for trekking. There are a couple of hiking trails with varying difficulty, and if you’re an adventurous one, we recommend the 18km hike up to a summit that will take approximately six hours.

Though it’s a popular day trip destination, Cat Ba Island has many hotels and budget accommodation options in its town area, making it a perfect stopover location for two or more days.

How to get there: Take a train from Hanoi to Haiphong, then a taxi to Ben Binh Harbour where you’ll hop onto a boat to Cat Ba Island. An easier way would be to  book a chartered transfer on a bus with a local tour agent.

Other highlights: 10km from Cat Ba Town is the Hospital Cave , a secret hospital used by the Northern Vietnamese troops during the war. The hospital is built high up in one of the limestone karsts hidden away from sight, making it bomb-proof simply due to its strategic location.

5) Mai Chau (4 hrs from Hanoi City)

Mai Chau is not your typical Vietnam day trip location but it sure is worth your consideration for a visit! Home to several minority ethnic groups such as the White and Black Thais , the Hmong , and the Tay , Mai Chau is a rural getaway forgotten by time. One can expect to visit the stilt houses of the minority groups among plains of paddy fields.

Another reason why Mai Chau makes the perfect day trip from Hanoi is its proximity to Hanoi but offers similar views to Sapa, that’s more than six hours away (Mai Chau only requires four).

Do plan your trip to Mai Chau on a Sunday as locals of neighbouring minority tribes will come together to trade at the Pa Co Sunday Market . Farmed produce, livestock, and handmade crafts are usually what’s sold there. It’s hence a great chance to interact with the minority tribes without visiting “touristy tribal villages” maintained by tourism boards.

Do note that the Sunday market opens early in the morning and closes before noon.

How to get there: Take a bus from My Dinh Station in Hanoi to Mai Chau, or simply book your Mai Chau day trip (~S$49) .

6) Huong Son District — Perfume Pagoda (2 hrs from Hanoi City)

Southwest of Hanoi is the district of Huong Son , and there lies one of the largest sacred sites of Vietnam within mountains and caves. The most famous religious site would be the Perfume Pagoda , a Buddhist temple that’s the centre stage of the longest festival in Vietnam — the Huong Pagoda festival.

If you’re into Vietnamese history or Buddhism, visiting Perfume Pagoda and its vast complex of Buddhist temples and shrines along the Huong Tich mountains makes the perfect day trip from Hanoi.

While visiting the Perfume Pagoda is the main agenda of most visitors to Huong Son district, there are also relaxing rowboat rides along the Yen Stream that sees lilies in bloom during the autumn between the months of September to November. The rowboat will lead you to the Thien Tru Harbor, where you’ll begin your trek up to the Huong Tich cave to the famed Perfume Pagoda.

During the months of February to March, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit Perfume Pagoda in hopes of finding happiness and romance. If you’re visiting Vietnam during those months, get festive with the crowds at Perfume Pagoda!

How to get there: Getting to Perfume Pagoda is a feat itself. First, you’ll have to get to My Duc from Hanoi, then a boat ride before walking on foot or by cable car to the pagoda. We’d recommend booking a day tour (~S$40/pax) instead to save the troubles of planning.

7) Duong Lam Ancient Village (2 hrs from Hanoi City)

History buffs can consider a day trip from Hanoi to  Duong Lam Village , where the unique architectural features of ancient houses are still kept and preserved to this day.

Most day trips organised by local operators include lunch with a local family in their private home, so talk about an authentic Vietnamese lifestyle experience! Within the village are also two monuments of the two heroes of ancient Vietnam, Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen.

How to get there: A public bus from Hanoi city gets you to Duong Lam Village. Alternatively, book a day trip to Duong Lam (~S$49) .

Bonus: Sapa (6 hrs from Hanoi City)

Sapa takes more than four hours to get to from Hanoi, but we loved our two-day trip there so much we felt it should be included! Sapa is famous for its picturesque mountainous towns and rice terraces, attracting more and more visitors to its rugged landscapes. For those who are looking for an off-the-grid digital detox amongst nature, Sapa is your best bet.

Read also:  15 Pho-nomenal Experiences to Add to Your Northern Vietnam Itinerary

Home to the highest summit of the Indochine,  Fansipan is a popular hiking destination that can be conquered within a day. We’ll first warn you that this trip is not going to be a walk in the park! Uneven terrains, coupled with occasional steep stairs and ladders make the trip up the 3,143m high mountain quite an arduous one.

Due to the elevation, hikers usually pace out the hike over three days, so do be prepared to stay overnight at a campsite in Fansipan . And if you’re there in winter, layer up as temperatures will drop below 10°C. Read our experience conquering Fansipan in our 2-week Vietnam Itinerary ! 

Sapa is also home to many grand waterfalls such as Love and Silver waterfalls . Both waterfalls take less than 20 minutes of trekking from their starting points to reach, so you won’t even break a sweat!

How to get there: Overnight bus (~S$12.60) ; Book the  Love and Silver waterfalls tour (~S$43)

Hanoi city is amazing, that’s pho-sure , but Northern Vietnam is really famous for its natural landscapes and histories. Personally, visiting Ninh Binh as a day trip was the best decision I made during my Hanoi trip. Not only is Ninh Binh less touristy than Halong Bay, there’s also a lot more you can see on land than out at sea in the bay.

Which other parts of Vietnam do you want us to cover? Let us know in the comment section below !

For more travel inspiration, follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram , and  YouTube !

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Feb 19, 2019 at 3:28am PST

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Incredible Day Trips From Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi is the kind of place where you’ll want to spend a few days and really explore all its museums, landmarks, restaurants and nightlife. But when the traffic and smog starts to drive you mad, leave the city behind and get out into the countryside on a day trip. It can be difficult to narrow your choices, so here are Culture Trip’s most recommended day trips out of Hanoi, Vietnam .

Looking for the whole package? With Culture Trip, you can experience the best of Hanoi, its surroundings and beyond with our Local Insider leading you. Check out the next departures for our epic 12-day adventure from Hanoi to Hoi An .

1. Duong Lam Ancient Village, for a traditional way of life

Historical Landmark

2. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, for historic architecture

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4. Ba Vi National Park, for hiking trails

Natural Feature

To really engross yourself in nature, travel two hours west to Ba Vi National Park. There are three peaks that make the focal points of this park, and on the second tallest peak, Tan Vien, there’s an 11th-century shrine for the Mountain God. And after you’ve hiked the trails and gone for a swim, take a break in the spa.

5. Phat Diem Cathedral, for a glimpse into Vietnamese Catholicism

Cathedral, Church

6. Perfume Pagoda, for natural beauty and cultural heritage

Buddhist Temple

The Perfume Pagoda is a busy tourist spot in the region because Vietnamese Buddhists often make pilgrimages here. From February to April, crowds flock to this pagoda, so keep that in mind if you don’t want to bump shoulders with tour groups; but even at its busiest, the combination of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage still make this a day trip to consider. The boat trip alone to get to the pagoda is incredible enough to justify the trip.

7. Thay Temple, for a top-notch temple

8. Mai Chau Valley, for cycling through remote villages

This valley is another picture-perfect spot, with rice paddies and lines of jagged mountain ridges. At over three hours, the journey from Hanoi is an effort, but once here you’ll get to experience the lifestyles of the region’s ethnic tribes. Overnight homestays are popular, but stopping in for one day is also a fine option. You can bike or trek through the remote villages and you’ll even have a chance to spot some rare and exotic wildlife.

Tempted? You can visit Mai Chau and enjoy a scenic bicycle ride as part of Culture Trip’s specially curated 12-day Vietnam adventure , led by our local insider.

9. Bat Trang Village, for local pottery

Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

Bat Trang Village is just 30 minutes from the Old Quarter in Hanoi , so it’s a low-commitment excursion. The village is famous for its porcelain and ceramics, which are sought after throughout Asia because of their quality and traditional designs.

10. Ha Long Bay, for stunning scenery

Now to the crown jewel of tourism in Vietnam. Pretty much everyone who visits this country goes to Ha Long Bay. It’s page one of every travel guide ever written about Vietnam. It’s a mystical place – almost other-worldly – and famous for good reason. Even though Ha Long City is quickly going down the tubes, Ha Long Bay still deserves a day to take in the sights. We recommend you splurge on a fancy dinner boat, or a quality tour guide.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Hanoi

Day trips from hanoi.

• Hanoi to Ninh Binh
• Hanoi to Halong Bay
• Hanoi to Cat Ba
• Hanoi to Sapa
• Private Day Trips
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi

2. Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

3. Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch

4. Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming

5. PRIVATE TOUR HALONG BAY ONE DAY with Cave, Kayaking, Bamboo Boat

6. Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Cave, Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch

7. Ninh Binh Day Trip: Hoa Lu-Trang An-Mua Cave, Buffet,Cycling,Boat

8. Highlight Ninh Binh Full Day Tour Tam Coc Boat, Mua Cave, Hoa Lu

9. Hanoi City Half-Day Private Tour: Train Street And All Highlights

10. Private Ninh Binh Luxury Day Tour (Tam Coc, Mua Cave, Cycling)

11. Ninh Binh Full Day Tour with Hoa Lu, Trang An and Mua Cave

12. Halong Bay Full Day With Cave, Kayaking And Swimming - Highway Transfer

13. 1 Day Luxury Tour in Bai Dinh, Trang An and Mua Cave

14. Ninh Binh Day Trips- from Hanoi

15. IRIS CRUISE - 5 Star Day Cruise - Halong Bay 1 Day - JACUZZI POOL

16. Hanoi to Ninh Binh 1 day: Trang An - Tam Coc - Mua Cave - Hoa Lu

17. Halong Bay Deluxe Day Tour

18. Halong 6 hours Boat tour with Cave, Kayak, lunch, transfer high-way from Hanoi

19. Hanoi City Tour Full Day ALL IN ONE - ALL INCLUDED

20. BEST SELLER - Halong 5 Star Day Cruise: Buffet Lunch, Wine& Fruit

21. Incense Village Small Group Of 9 Tour From Hanoi to Ninh Binh

22. Best seller Halong Bay Day cruise: Sung Sot cave, Titop, kayaking

23. Incense Village Private Tour from Hanoi to Ninh Binh Old Capital

24. LEADING: All inclusive 3D/2N on cruises in HALONG - many options

25. Sapa Trekking Tour 2 Days 1 Night By Bus

26. Diamond Halong 5-Star Day Cruise,Cave,Kayak,Jacuzzi Pool,Buffet

27. Full-Day Halong Bay 5 Stars Luxury Cruise Tour with Buffet Lunch

28. Ninh Binh Deluxe Day Tour To Visit Hoa Lu - Trang An - Mua Cave

29. Best Halong Bay Tour On Luxury Excursion Cruise 6 Hours Cruising

30. Deluxe Hoa Lu Trang An Mua Cave Small Group - Cruising, Biking,Hiking, Limousine

What travellers are saying.

• Christopher D 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend Great value for money, would definitely recommend if you can only do a day trip to ha long bay, the tour guide Long was very informative and good craic Read more Review of: Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Cave, Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch Written 23 March 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike
• Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch
• Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi
• Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Cave, Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch
• Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming
• Vietnam Stunning Travel
• Aloha Vietnam Travel & Guide
• Hanoi Travel Bug
• Amazing Travel Corp
• VIETNAM TOP TRAVEL
• Vietnam Travel Bug - Day Tours
• Hanoi Explore Travel
• Asia Travel & Leisure
• Incredible Asia Journeys
• Hanoi Journey
• Go Asia Travel
• Swallow Travel
• Vietnam Eco Travel
• Authentik Vietnam Travel
• Lux Travel DMC Asia
• Vespa Adventures
• Vietnam Travel Top
• Vietnam Viajes
• Flipside Adventure Travel
• Viet Cone Travel
• Vietnam Amazing Tours
• Win Win Travel
• Viland Travel

• Culture & Arts
• Ho Chi Minh City
• Attractions
• Phu Quoc Island
• Mekong Delta

Hanoi Day Trips

Best Day Trips from Hanoi

• Motorbike Tours
• Walking Tours
• Street Food Tours
• Shore Excursions
• Behind the Scene of Water Puppet Show
• A day to Discover a Hanoians’ Hobby
• Pedaling through Different Parts of Hanoi
• Cycling Tour to Bat Trang, Dong Ho village
• Family Tours
• Classic Tours
• Culinary Tours
• Honeymoon Tours
• Luxury Tours
• Beach Tours
• Adventure Tours

As a city, Hanoi can easily keep you busy. With narrow streets, sprawling street markets, countless fragrant food stalls along the streets to explore, you could spend a lifetime in this city and still return to beg for more. 

In spite of a wide variety of adventures to be had in Hanoi, there are too many chances for exploration outside the city limits. 

From famous historical landmarks to hidden gems and off the beaten track national parks nearby Hanoi, the city is waiting to ignite your wanderlust and inspire your passion for travel once more.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Hanoi Day Trips

The Best Day Trips from Hanoi according to our reviews are: Hanoi Half-day Tour on Motorbike Halong & Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba National Park with Kayaking and Swimming in Tranquil Lagoon Pedaling through Different Parts of Hanoi Halong Bay Full Day Tour with Kayaking and Seafood Lunch from Hanoi Small group Day Tour in Halong Bay with Luxury Shuttle and Highways ► See all Full-day Tours in Hanoi on Vietnam Discovery .

These hidden gems in Hanoi may have limited interaction with crowds: Hidden Hanoi Walking Morning Small Group Tour Small group Day Tour in Halong Bay with Luxury Shuttle and Highways Private Hanoi nightlife walking tour Halong bay one day cruise from hanoi ► See all Full-day Tours in Hanoi on Vietnam Discovery .

Basically, one day is only enough for you to get a taste of local Hanoi. Do not try to see too much. If you just have 1 Day in Hanoi , it is important for you to look for some Hanoi Day Trips getting around or near Hanoi Old Quarter, the central area of Hanoi)

The first and foremost vehicle to explore the area of Hanoi Old Quarter is electric cars since it is very easy to find them around Hanoi streets. Besides, this means of transportation is also suitable for small group tours because it is able to carry up to 8 passengers. Alternatively, you can also choose cyclo (Xích Lô in Vietnamese) or riding a bicycle or even going on foot to explore Hanoi in your own way.

What to bring on your day trip in Hanoi will depend on the destination and the season you go. For the beach, it is a good idea to bring swim gear, sunscreen, etc. For trips to areas which are higher-elevated, it is advisable to bring warm clothes. Regardless of your destination, always bring plenty of water.

► Day trip to Halong Bay (174km – 2 to 4 hrs from Hanoi ) ► Day trip to Duong Lam Village (50km – 1hr15m by car from Hanoi) ► Day trip to Ninh Binh province (94km – 1hr30m south of Hanoi) ► Day trip to Bat Trang Village (16km – 40 mins by car from Hanoi) ► Day trip to Ba Vi National Park (62km – 2 to 3 hrs from Hanoi)

It is a smart choice to have a guided tour for day trips in Hanoi, particularly in more remote areas. Fear of local logistics or language has not been troublesome any more since the guided tour will provide you with peace of mind, convenience, safety and the chance to bond with fellow travelers.

Hanoi Day Trips Things to Do

Whether you are into strolling around the ancient walled city, or would prefer adventures like trekking in national parks, or mountain biking, rest assured that our Hanoi Day Trips will make the most of your time in and around Hanoi. They are especially perfect for solo travelers, families or small groups of any kind.

Most recommended Hanoi Day Trips things to do include: 

Long Bien bridge | Van Phuc Silk village | Perfume pagoda (Chua Huong) | Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake) | Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam) | Vietnam Women’s Museum | St Joseph’s Cathedral (Nha Tho Lon) | Hoa Lo Prison | Hanoi Old Quarter | Bat Trang Ceramic Village | Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son temple) | Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre | Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex | West Lake (Ho Tay) | Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House (Nha Bac Ho) | Quang Ba Flower Market | Tay Ho Temple | Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (VME)

Things to Do Near Hanoi

Free Things to Do in Hanoi | Things to do in Halong Bay | Things to do in Ninh Binh | Things to Do in Sapa | Things to do in Hoi An | Things to do in Da Nang | Things to Do in Nha Trang | Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh | Things to Do in Phu Quoc | Things to Do in Mui Ne | Things to Do in Can Tho

Recommended for Hanoi

First time in Hanoi | How many days in Hanoi is enough | How to spend 2 days in Hanoi | Explore Hanoi weather by month | Hidden Gems in Hanoi

Destinations

Tours by style, travel guide.

• Best Time to Visit
• Getting around
• Transportation
• Best Beaches
• Vietnam Honeymoon
• Travel esim to Vietnam

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Connect with us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Hanoi, Vietnam: 23rd Floor, TASCO Building, Pham Hung road, Me Tri, Tu Liem, Hanoi.
• Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: 2nd Floor, VIPD Building, No. 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Da Kao Ward, District 1, HCMC
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Day Tours in Hanoi

Van Long Natural Reserve Day Tour

Hanoi Street Food Taste

Mai Chau hill tribe day tour

Hanoi City Tour Sightseeing

Visit Tho Ha Traditional Village

Rural and ancient land of Bac Ninh

Experience Hanoi After Dark

Cuc Phuong National Park

Home Cooking Class

Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Day Tour

Bat Trang Ceramic & Lacquer Painting Hands-on Experience

Ba Vi Mountain Day Trip

Little Paris in Hanoi

Seeing Hanoi on Motorbike tour

Van Long – Kenh Ga floating village tour

Hanoi Half day City Tour

Cooking Experience in Hanoi

Duong Lam Ancient Village Exploring

Top Hanoi Day Trips

Day trips from hanoi.

• Hanoi to Ninh Binh
• Hanoi to Halong Bay
• Hanoi to Cat Ba
• Hanoi to Sapa
• Private Day Trips
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi

2. Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

3. Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch

4. Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming

5. PRIVATE TOUR HALONG BAY ONE DAY with Cave, Kayaking, Bamboo Boat

6. Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Cave, Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch

7. Ninh Binh Day Trip: Hoa Lu-Trang An-Mua Cave, Buffet,Cycling,Boat

8. From Hanoi: Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip

9. Highlight Ninh Binh Full Day Tour Tam Coc Boat, Mua Cave, Hoa Lu

10. Hanoi City Half-Day Private Tour: Train Street And All Highlights

11. Private Ninh Binh Luxury Day Tour (Tam Coc, Mua Cave, Cycling)

12. Halong Bay Full Day With Cave, Kayaking And Swimming - Highway Transfer

13. 1 Day Luxury Tour in Bai Dinh, Trang An and Mua Cave

14. Ninh Binh Day Trips- from Hanoi

15. Hanoi to Ninh Binh 1 day: Trang An - Tam Coc - Mua Cave - Hoa Lu

16. Halong Bay Deluxe Day Tour

17. Halong 6 hours Boat tour with Cave, Kayak, lunch, transfer high-way from Hanoi

18. Hanoi City Tour Full Day ALL IN ONE - ALL INCLUDED

19. Lan Ha Bay full-day tour from Hanoi, Hai Phong - Serenity Cruises

20. BEST SELLER - Halong 5 Star Day Cruise: Buffet Lunch, Wine& Fruit

21. Incense Village Small Group Of 9 Tour From Hanoi to Ninh Binh

22. Best seller Halong Bay Day cruise: Sung Sot cave, Titop, kayaking

23. Incense Village Private Tour from Hanoi to Ninh Binh Old Capital

24. LEADING: All inclusive 3D/2N on cruises in HALONG - many options

25. Sapa Trekking Tour 2 Days 1 Night By Bus

26. Diamond Halong 5-Star Day Cruise,Cave,Kayak,Jacuzzi Pool,Buffet

27. Full-Day Halong Bay 5 Stars Luxury Cruise Tour with Buffet Lunch

28. Ninh Binh Deluxe Day Tour To Visit Hoa Lu - Trang An - Mua Cave

29. Best Halong Bay Tour On Luxury Excursion Cruise 6 Hours Cruising

30. Deluxe Hoa Lu Trang An Mua Cave Small Group - Cruising, Biking,Hiking, Limousine

What travellers are saying.

• Christopher D 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend Great value for money, would definitely recommend if you can only do a day trip to ha long bay, the tour guide Long was very informative and good craic Read more Review of: Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Cave, Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch Written 23 March 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike
• Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch
• Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi
• Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Cave, Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch
• Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming
• Vietnam Stunning Travel
• Aloha Vietnam Travel & Guide
• Hanoi Travel Bug
• Amazing Travel Corp
• VIETNAM TOP TRAVEL
• Hanoi Explore Travel
• Vietnam Travel Bug - Day Tours
• Asia Travel & Leisure
• Incredible Asia Journeys
• Hanoi Journey
• Go Asia Travel
• Swallow Travel
• Vietnam Eco Travel
• Authentik Vietnam Travel
• Lux Travel DMC Asia
• Vespa Adventures
• Vietnam Travel Top
• Vietnam Viajes
• Flipside Adventure Travel
• Viet Cone Travel
• Vietnam Amazing Tours
• Win Win Travel
• Viland Travel

THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Hanoi

Day trips from hanoi.

• Hanoi to Ninh Binh
• Hanoi to Halong Bay
• Hanoi to Cat Ba
• Hanoi to Sapa
• Private Day Trips
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi

2. Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike

3. Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch

4. Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming

5. PRIVATE TOUR HALONG BAY ONE DAY with Cave, Kayaking, Bamboo Boat

6. Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Cave, Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch

7. Ninh Binh Day Trip: Hoa Lu-Trang An-Mua Cave, Buffet,Cycling,Boat

8. Highlight Ninh Binh Full Day Tour Tam Coc Boat, Mua Cave, Hoa Lu

9. Hanoi City Half-Day Private Tour: Train Street And All Highlights

10. Private Ninh Binh Luxury Day Tour (Tam Coc, Mua Cave, Cycling)

11. Wonder Bay Cruise Halong 1 Day Tour , Smaller Group from HANOI

12. Halong Bay Full Day With Cave, Kayaking And Swimming - Highway Transfer

13. 1 Day Luxury Tour in Bai Dinh, Trang An and Mua Cave

14. Ninh Binh Day Trips- from Hanoi

15. Hanoi to Ninh Binh 1 day: Trang An - Tam Coc - Mua Cave - Hoa Lu

16. Halong Bay Deluxe Day Tour

17. Halong 6 hours Boat tour with Cave, Kayak, lunch, transfer high-way from Hanoi

18. Hanoi City Tour Full Day ALL IN ONE - ALL INCLUDED

19. BEST SELLER - Halong 5 Star Day Cruise: Buffet Lunch, Wine& Fruit

20. Incense Village Small Group Of 9 Tour From Hanoi to Ninh Binh

21. Best seller Halong Bay Day cruise: Sung Sot cave, Titop, kayaking

22. Incense Village Private Tour from Hanoi to Ninh Binh Old Capital

23. Symphony Cruise - Day Tour from Halong Harbor with PICKUP

24. LEADING: All inclusive 3D/2N on cruises in HALONG - many options

25. Sapa Trekking Tour 2 Days 1 Night By Bus

26. Diamond Halong 5-Star Day Cruise,Cave,Kayak,Jacuzzi Pool,Buffet

27. Full-Day Halong Bay 5 Stars Luxury Cruise Tour with Buffet Lunch

28. Ninh Binh Deluxe Day Tour To Visit Hoa Lu - Trang An - Mua Cave

29. Best Halong Bay Tour On Luxury Excursion Cruise 6 Hours Cruising

30. Deluxe Hoa Lu Trang An Mua Cave Small Group - Cruising, Biking,Hiking, Limousine

What travellers are saying.

• Christopher D 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend Great value for money, would definitely recommend if you can only do a day trip to ha long bay, the tour guide Long was very informative and good craic Read more Review of: Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Cave, Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch Written 23 March 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike
• Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch
• Full-Day Ninh Binh Highlights Tour from Hanoi
• Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - Cave, Kayaking, Swimming & Lunch
• Cozy Bay Halong 5-Star Day Cruise, Buffet, Cave, Kayak, Swimming
• Vietnam Stunning Travel
• Aloha Vietnam Travel & Guide
• Hanoi Travel Bug
• Amazing Travel Corp
• VIETNAM TOP TRAVEL
• Hanoi Explore Travel
• Vietnam Travel Bug - Day Tours
• Asia Travel & Leisure
• Incredible Asia Journeys
• Hanoi Journey
• Go Asia Travel
• Swallow Travel
• Vietnam Eco Travel
• Authentik Vietnam Travel
• Lux Travel DMC Asia
• Vespa Adventures
• Vietnam Travel Top
• Vietnam Viajes
• Flipside Adventure Travel
• Viet Cone Travel
• Vietnam Amazing Tours
• Win Win Travel
• Viland Travel