Multi-day Tours and Trips from Hanoi

As the capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi is a fast-paced amalgamation of energy, activity, history and culture. Its Old Quarter manages to take travelers back in time to the Vietnam of yesteryear, while the maze of Buddhist temples around town provides a spiritual and meditative respite for the otherwise chaotic city streets.

Thanks to the French, Chinese, Vietnamese and Russian influence, Hanoi is also a melting pot of exquisite cuisine, with excellent nightlife and colorful markets to boot.

But what attracts many a traveler to Hanoi isn't merely the city itself; it's its proximity to some of the world's most breathtaking landscapes — Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh province and Mai Chau Valley to name a few.

All in all, multi-day tours from Hanoi serve as an amazing opportunity to explore the countryside of Northern Vietnam, and soak up its nature, culture and history at once.

2-Day Trips

Ideal for a weekend getaway, a 2-day trip from Hanoi allows you to explore some of the famous attractions in Vietnam just outside of Hanoi. The majority of the 2-day trips offered from Hanoi go to Ha Long Bay, but there are many more options to choose from.

The most popular, and the most underrated options are listed below:

2-day trip to Ha Long Bay

A picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site that sits about 170 kilometers (105 miles) east of Hanoi, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam's most beautiful and bucket list-worthy attractions.

The bay is dotted with thousands of limestone towers (karsts) that jut into the sea, creating a seascape that you won't find in other places around the world.

On most 2-day tour, you'll spend time cruising through the bay on board a traditional wooden boat, indulging in some seafood and swimming at secluded beaches or caves

Depending on your chosen tour, you might also check out some of the nearby islands, such as Cat Ba Island, or take part in various activities like kayaking or snorkeling.

2-day trip to Sapa

A region in Lao Cai province, located about 375 kilometers (230 miles) northwest of Hanoi, Sapa is an area full of lush, green landscapes, and outdoor hiking trails.

Some of the 2-day trips to Sapa are focused on soaking up local culture by doing a homestay in a small village (such as Shin Chai, Lao Chai, Ta Van or Cat Cat), while others are more about adventure, featuring hikes through terraced fields of the Muong Hoa Valley.

Depending on your tour, you be be driven from Hanoi or get to take a train through the countryside.

2-day trip to Ninh Binh and Hoa Lu

A 2-day trip to Ninh Binh and Hoa Lu allows you to explore some of Vietnam's most dramatic scenery, including Tam Coc (the so-called 'Ha Long Bay on land') and the sprawling limestone mountains of Trang An.

You'll also have a chance to visit Hoa Lu, an old capital city of Vietnam, as well as take part in some kayaking and cycling.

Depending on your tour's specific itinerary, you might get to hike to the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain or take a boat trip down the Ngo Dong River.

3-Day Trips

Ideal for those who have more than a couple of days to spare, 3-day trips from Hanoi provide the chance to dive deeper into some of Vietnam's most popular destinations.

3-day trip to Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay

On this 3-day trip from Hanoi, you'll also get the opportunity to visit Lan Ha Bay — a beautiful area that's still relatively untouched by tourism, yet offers some of the most spectacular natural sights in Vietnam.

Depending on your tour's specific itinerary, you might also stop at Cat Ba Island, Sung Sot Cave, Dog Islet, and Man’s Head Islet.

This coastal trip is similar to a 2-day tour, but with more time to explore Ha Long and its surroundings.

3-Day motorbike Ha Giang Loop with "Easy Rider" bike

Suited to adventurous types, this 3-day motorbike tour of Ha Giang loop gives you the chance to explore one of Vietnam's most remote regions.

After an overnight bus from Ha Noi to Ha Giang, you'll get to ride through terraced rice fields, take in stunning mountain landscapes from the Ma Pi Leng pass and take a boat trip on Nho Que River.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Located in Thanh Hoa province, around 4 hours south of Hanoi, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is considered one of the top spots to go for a multi-day trekking trip. This area is known for its sweeping views of the mountains — especially from the summit of Mt. Pu Luong — and its several culture-rich tiny villages.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve tours usually last between 2 and 4 days and include guided treks, transport to and from Hanoi, accommodation in local villages, and possible additional stops in Ninh Binh or Mai Chau.

4-Day Trips

Generally speaking, 4-day trips from Hanoi provide more time to explore the surrounding areas that have already been discussed in 2-day and 3-day trips, such as Sapa, Pu Luong, Ha Long Bay and Ha Giang.

The difference is that with the extra day, you can go on longer treks, visit more remote villages and combine multiple destinations into a single package for a Northern Vietnam highlight reel.

The only 4-day tour that has not already been mentioned is the jungle trekking in Ba Be National Park. This tour takes you to the largest natural lake in Vietnam, where you've got 23,000 hectares of untouched landscapes to explore.