Day trips from Hanoi

Read Time:3 Minute, 21 Second

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is a vibrant and culturally rich destination with a strategic location that allows for convenient day trips to nearby attractions. Here are some popular day trip options from Hanoi:

Halong Bay: Located about 170 kilometers east of Hanoi, Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning limestone karsts and emerald waters. You can take a day cruise or a seaplane tour to explore the bay, visit beautiful caves, kayak, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Ninh Binh: Known as the “Halong Bay on Land,” Ninh Binh is about 100 kilometers south of Hanoi. It offers impressive karst landscapes, rice paddies, and historical sites. Take a boat ride in Trang An or Tam Coc, visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and explore the impressive Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist pagodas in Southeast Asia. Hire a private car with your group, or hop on to one of the many shared mininbus and explore!

Perfume Pagoda: Located about 60 kilometers southwest of Hanoi, the Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong) is a complex of Buddhist temples nestled in a scenic mountain area. Take a boat ride along the Yen Stream and hike up to the pagoda complex, which is especially popular during the Perfume Pagoda Festival (February to March).

Mai Chau: Situated around 140 kilometers southwest of Hanoi, Mai Chau offers a glimpse of rural life in Vietnam. This scenic valley is home to ethnic Thai communities known for their traditional stilt houses. Enjoy cycling or trekking through picturesque villages, interact with locals, and experience their cultural heritage.

Tam Dao: Located about 80 kilometers northwest of Hanoi, Tam Dao is a mountainous retreat known for its cool climate and scenic beauty. You can take a cable car up to the summit, visit the Tam Dao National Park, explore pagodas, and enjoy hiking trails surrounded by lush forests.

Bat Trang Ceramic Village: For a shorter and more cultural day trip, visit Bat Trang Ceramic Village, located about 13 kilometers southeast of Hanoi. This traditional village is famous for its pottery and ceramics. You can visit workshops, try your hand at making pottery, and purchase unique ceramic items.

Duong Lam Ancient Village: Situated around 50 kilometers west of Hanoi, Duong Lam is an ancient village known for its well-preserved traditional houses and rich history. Explore the narrow alleys, visit historical sites, and learn about Vietnamese rural culture and architecture.

Visit Hoa Lu: Hoa Lu is an ancient capital of Vietnam located in the Ninh Binh Province, about 90 kilometers south of Hanoi. It was the capital of the Dinh Dynasty (968-980) and the Early Le Dynasty (980-1009). Take stunning photos on the Tam Coc river voyage – a true treat for budding nature photographers. Discover the full diversity of Vietnamese natural landscapes as you pass through limestone karsts and stone caves. Visit the temples of Dinh and Le dynasties and explore ancient relics remaining from when Hoa Lu was the country’s capital. Enjoy convenient roundtrip hotel transfers from Hanoi and the services of an informative guide, all in a 10 hours guided tour.

These are just a few examples of the many day trips you can take from Hanoi. Depending on your interests and time available, you can choose the destinations that appeal to you the most and make the most of your visit to this fascinating region of Vietnam.

Be sure to check out the full review of Hanoi here!