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!
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Travel time: 2.5 hours
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
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.
Travel time: 1h42mins
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
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!