Best Day Trips from Hanoi

There are many things to see and do in Hanoi, including a range of excursions that invite you to discover the history and nature of the region. From the breathtaking Halong Bay to Hoa Lu City in Vietnam's ancient capital, you will find diverse options to choose from based on your interest.

Some of these tours from Hanoi are longer than one day, so they offer more complete experiences and the possibility to explore natural beauties and charming villages that are a little further away from the Vietnamese capital. Here is a list of the main tours you can do from Hanoi, which will undoubtedly enrich your stay in the city.

Vietnam is much more than the busy streets of Hanoi. A great option is to make the excursion to Sa Pa village, a village among the mountains located at 1,600 meters above sea level, with beautiful views of the rice paddies of the region. It is located about 5 hours from Hanoi, so most of these tours have a duration of 2 days and 1 night, ideal if your stay will be at least 3 days in Hanoi.

Something very special that is usually proposed in these tours is the possibility of staying in the house of a local family, to know and share their traditions. They are usually done in small groups accompanied by a professional guide, who will be able to provide you with complete information about the local culture and history of this people. Most tour companies include not only the transfer to and from the village, but also three meals a day, which is very practical.

Sa Pa, with its rice terraces, is a village where you can hike and visit different smaller villages, such as Giang Ta Chai and Black Hmong, each with its own customs. Undoubtedly, it is a jewel to be discovered, where there will be no shortage of scenery and authentic cultural experiences with the locals.

Details of interest

• Price: from 122 € per person approximately.
• Duration: 2 days and 1 night.
• Means of transportation: bus or limousine bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to explore the village of Sa Pa, a charming village in the mountains, and get to know and share traditions with the locals. Transportation to and from the village and meals are usually included.
• Disadvantages of this option: a trip of approximately 5 hours could be considered long for some travelers.

In the Ninh Binh region, you can visit charming natural sites such as Tam Coc Caves and Mua Hill, and the ancient town of Hoa Lu, where you can explore temples and historical buildings. A good way to get to know them is to join a full-day guided tour, which will give you a day full of discoveries.

A great advantage of these excursions is that you are usually accompanied by a professional guide, who with his historical and cultural narratives can give you a deeper understanding of the places you visit. The transfer to and from Hanoi is also usually included, so you will already have the logistics of the trip sorted out. A lunch of typical Vietnamese dishes is also usually included.

As for the villages that are usually visited during these tours, they include Tam Coc, famous for its caves that you can explore aboard a boat; Hoa Lu, the ancient Vietnamese capital with its historic temples; and Mua Hill which offers the best panoramic views of Tam Coc. You have to climb about 200 steps to get there, but the effort will certainly be more than rewarded.

Details of interest

• Price: from 41 € per person approximately.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Means of transportation: round-trip bus transportation and boat ride.
• Advantages of this option: you will see the main attractions of Ninh Binh region, such as Tam Coc caves, Mu Hill and Hoa Lu ancient village, in a comfortable way and accompanied by a local expert guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: Tam Coc caves tend to receive many visitors, especially in high season.

After embarking on the best tours in Hanoi City, one of the must-do tours in the surrounding area is the day trip to the Perfume Pagoda or Chua Huong. The adventure usually begins with a journey of about 2 hours from Hanoi to the picturesque village of Ben Duc, which is located on the banks of the Suoi Yen River.

In Ben Duc, the trip usually continues with a boat ride that will take you to the picturesque Ben Trong jetty, where you can enjoy the majestic scenery of the region, until you reach the Perfume Pagoda, a Buddhist temple complex that will captivate you with its beauty. The Perfume Pagoda is located in the center of the complex, in the Huong Tich caves.

There are 2 ways to reach the Perfume Pagoda by cable car, where the panoramic views will be the protagonists, or by hiking, which is the ideal option for those seeking a more intimate connection with nature.

Some tours offer lunch and transportation to and from your hotel, so you will not have to worry about food and logistics. They also usually include the accompaniment of a local guide, who can enrich the tour with interesting information about the sites you visit. The return to Hanoi is usually at sunset, so the end of the trip will be tinged with the colors of the sunset from the waters.

Details of interest

• Price: from about €18 per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Means of transport: bus and boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will visit the Perfume Pagoda and Ben Duc village, which are located in a wonderful natural environment.
• Disadvantages of this option: although some tours include meals, other costs, such as tips or additional activities, may not be covered.

Cruising from Hanoi to Halong Bay is one of the must-do options for exploring Vietnam's natural beauty if you are staying in Hanoi. You have many cruise options available, such as the 2-day, 1-night tour, which offers a complete experience in both nature and culture.

The best Hanoi cruises include transfer to and from the hotel, which is very convenient as the cruise departs in an area quite far from Hanoi. In addition, they usually include all meals with typical local dishes that you can enjoy while sailing among the imposing rock formations of the bay.

In the evening, there are usually lively parties, and in the morning, tai chi classes on deck. This morning practice has many benefits, so you can start the day in complete harmony. Other activities proposed in these tours are kayaking and visits to fishing villages and islands in the bay. Undoubtedly, this is a sensory journey that envelops you in the wonder of Vietnam from every angle of the sea.

Details of interest

• Price: from 116 € per person approximately.
• Duration: 2 days and 1 night.
• Means of transport: bus and boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to fully explore Halong Bay and its main attractions.
• Disadvantages of this option: some optional activities may not be included in the cost of the tour.

If you are looking for a first-class experience, private tours to Halong Bay are not to be missed. This type of tour usually offers you a round-trip transfer from Hanoi's Old Quarter in a private vehicle that will transport you to the cruise port in comfort.

Most of these tours include the accompaniment of a professional guide, who will certainly enrich the experience with his knowledge of history and culture, and the various activities he will propose during the trip. You will also be able to enjoy the gastronomic delights that you will taste during the tour, which are usually included.

One of the most typical activities offered during these cruises are the kayak or boat trips to the caves of Thien Cung, where you can marvel at the shapes of the stalactites and stalagmites that you will see there. Undoubtedly, visiting Halong Bay, which is surrounded by rock formations worth photographing, is one of the activities you cannot miss in Hanoi and Vietnam.

Details of interest

• Price: about 234 € per person approximately.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Means of transport: private vehicle and boat.
• Advantages of this option: ideal for those who wish to explore Halong Bay privately.
• Disadvantages of this option: some tour companies only have pick-up service available for hotels located in the old quarter of Hanoi.

One of the best ways to get to Sa Pa from Hanoi is to join tours that include a visit to Fansipan Peak, the highest peak in Indochina. These are usually 2-day tours that give you different perspectives of northern Vietnam and its natural wonders.

Most of these tours are usually guided by local experts and are conducted in small groups, making the experience more personalized. The booking typically covers round-trip transportation from Hanoi, along with full meals, from lunch to dinner, ensuring you are comfortable at every stage of the trip. They start early in the morning to make the most of the day.

The ascent to Fansipan Peak is by cable car, but you should be prepared for hiking in Sa Pa, especially to see the rice terraces. As for accommodation, many of these tours give you several options to choose from, although you can also look for accommodation on your own. Whatever your choice, seeing the breathtaking mountains of Vietnam is one of the best experiences for your 2+ day stay in Hanoi.

Details of interest

• Price: from 185 € per person.
• Duration: 2 days and 1 night.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: you will see Sa Pa and the breathtaking views from the peak of Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina, in a small group tour.
• Disadvantages of this option: some tours may not include certain services, such as accommodation or meals.

Exploring the wonders of Vietnam becomes even more extraordinary with day tours to Bai Dinh, Trang An and Mua Cave from Hanoi. These 10-12 hour tours offer a hassle-free experience as they usually include pick-up service, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the region without worrying about logistics.

One of the activities usually proposed on these tours is the chance to tour the Bai Dinh complex, a sacred destination whose structure will leave you in awe. You can also embark on a panoramic boat ride to visit the Trang An caves, one of the most typical and unmissable visits offered by these tours.

The day, which starts early in the morning, usually ends with a climb to the top of Mua Cave, from where you can appreciate the unforgettable views of Tam Coc. Some of these tours include round-trip transfers from Hanoi and entrance fees to the sites you visit, as well as the company of an expert guide, who will enrich your trip with valuable information.

Details of interest

• Price: from 46 € per person.
• Duration: from 10 to 12 hours approximately.
• Means of transportation: minivan/bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the natural wonders of Bai Dinh, Trang An and Mua Cave in a comfortable way and with the guide of an expert.
• Disadvantages of this option: depending on the season, the tourist sites may receive many visitors.

If you're wondering how to get to Halong Bay and prefer more personalized experiences, you can book one of these exclusive day cruises. These are tours that usually include a pick-up service to and from your hotel in a limousine bus, ensuring you a comfortable experience right from the start.

In general, these tours last for a full day, with an itinerary planned in detail so that you make the most of every moment of your adventure in the bay. The attentive staff and first-class facilities on board will certainly ensure you have a memorable experience.

The tour usually includes a buffet lunch with a wide variety of typical Vietnamese food that you can enjoy on board. These excursions are an opportunity to discover the natural charms of the bay, which cannot miss a visit to Sung Sot Cave and Titov Island, two must-see natural destinations near Hanoi.

Details of interest

• Price: from 46 € per person approximately.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Means of transportation: limousine bus and luxury cruise.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know Halong Bay aboard a cruise ship with premium services.
• Disadvantages of this option: many tours do not include meals and / or drinks on board the cruise, so they have an extra cost.