Coming up in this guide: skinned snakes, rice paddies, women driving boats with their feet, a nearby national park, loads of natural beauty, and the best day trips from Hanoi.
As I’m writing this, I’m currently in Hanoi.
I’m living here short-term—but, a few years back, I also lived here long-term.
… so all the stuff in this guide, I haven’t just Googled (like most other websites probably have).
Instead, I’ve been on pretty much all these trips. And the ones I haven’t: I got info from friends who have.
Anyway, enough of all the introductions: here are the 15 best day trips from Hanoi!
1. The Perfume Pagoda: Temples and Mountains
Possibly the most famous of all the day trips from Hanoi.
Sitting south of the capital, this place is a maze-like collection of temples, caves and shrines: and it all sits in the peaks and passes of a bunch of limestone mountains. Most of the temples here were built in the 17th century, and many of them sit inside caves.
You probably haven’t seen many temples this scenic… and it’s a great place to explore Vietnam’s rich history.
Highlights include jungle hikes, a cable car ride, a whole load of stone steps, and a pretty river.
But you won’t have time for all of it, so here’s my top tip: make sure you take the super-scenic boat trip on the Yen River…
… the one-hour boat ride takes you from Ben Duc village to the temple site, and it’s a super-charming way to reach the temple (I could say something here about the journey being more important than the destination, but that would make us both cringe).
You can make your own way to the temple area, but the best way to see it is by taking this tour. The tour includes the boat ride.
2. Ninh Binh and Tam Coc: Caves and Mountains
My favorite day trip from Hanoi.
Ninh Binh is a province and a city. And you’ve probably heard of it.
… but when most people talk about Ninh Binh, they’re really talking about the area west of the city, which is home to a load of caves and limestone towers. It’s one of the prettiest places in Vietnam, and it’s one of the areas that made me fall in love with the place.
The most famous part of the region is Tam Coc, where you can take boat trips through the caves. On a boat ride, old women use their feet (yes, really) to steer the boats through narrow caves.
Expect:
- Jagged formations
- Pretty views
- Rice paddies
- Lots of natural beauty
- … and having to spend lots of time ducking your head.
Is this the best boat trip I’ve ever been on? Possibly.
The very best way to see it all (and more) is with this tour.
You get all the highlights (including the boat trip), you don’t have to organize your own transport, you get lots of local insights from a local guide, and fun includes hikes, bikes, and historical sites.
3. Ha Long Bay: Boat Trips and UNESCO Sites
This isn’t an ideal day trip from Hanoi, because it’s far from Hanoi.
… but if you take a tour (and *only* if you take a tour), it’s possible to do it in one day.
This one in particular is the best tour possible—it doesn’t take you on the cable car ride (no tours will), but it gives you the rest of the area’s highlights.
Aside from Hanoi itself, Halong Bay is the most famous place in northern Vietnam.
An official UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a maze-like mesh of water, islands, limestone peaks, mini mountains, and lots of outdoor fun. It’s sort of like a bigger version of Tam Coc, but much busier, much more well-known, and on water instead of on land.
In total, the area is made up of more than 1,500 peaks and islands—and it’s all explored on boat trips (yep, boat trips are becoming a bit of a theme so far in this guide). During your boat ride (or boat rides) in Ha Long Bay, you’ll:
- Eat local seafood
- Swim and snorkel
- See fishing villages
- Find hidden caves
- Spot a bunch of local wildlife
If you want to see the most famous day trip from Hanoi, this is the one for you. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s absolutely worth the trip. And it offers some of the best natural beauty in all of Vietnam.
(Yes, in case you’re wondering: Ha Long Bay is exactly the same place as Halong Bay).
4. Le Mat Village: Eating Some Snakes
Is this one of the top day trips from Hanoi? I’m not sure, but it’s definitely one of the weirdest day trips from Hanoi.
Le Mat isn’t really a village at all (even though people call it one):
Instead, it’s just an outskirt area of Hanoi.
…but it’s famous because local people here have made a habit of catching snakes and eating them.
If you want to eat some of the snakes yourself, go to The Hung Snake Restaurant. Details:
- Address: Số 8 ngách 64 ngõ 161 phố, Hoa Lâm, Việt Hưng, Long Biên.
- Phone number: +84989331012
You need to contact them in advance, to ensure they’ll have enough snake ready for you. If they do, they’ll use that snake to make a multi-course meal for you and your party. If you don’t contact them in advance, they might have no snake available (it’s a very popular place).
5. Bat Trang Ceramic Village: Ceramics and Crafting
In a way, Bat Trang Ceramic Village is sort of like Le Mat village.
(Not because you eat snakes there; but because it’s another ‘village’ that isn’t really a ‘village.’)
Instead, it’s just another outskirt district of Hanoi (and is actually part of the city).
…. so if you want something easy to reach, it’s one of the top day trips from Hanoi.
Bat Trang is one of the nation’s most well-known ceramic locations. Here, locals have been crafting ceramics for hundreds of years—and that’s how many of them still make their money today.
In the ‘village,’ you’ll find narrow alleys, age-old workshops, intricate ceramics, wrinkled faces, friendly locals, and ancient techniques. At the Bat Trang Pottery Museum, you can see ancient stuff, and take a pottery class.
If you’re short on time and don’t want to go all the way to Bat Trang, consider this tour instead.
Located in central Hanoi, you’ll make traditional pottery in the same way Bat Trang villagers do it—and throughout the experience, you’re led by a local guide.
6. Ba Vi National Park: Hikes and Hills
More natural beauty!
If you like outdoor adventures, Ba Vi National Park is one of the top day trips from Hanoi.
Sitting west of (and close to) Hanoi, Ba Vi National Park has temples, shrines, hikes, mountains, and road trips.
It’s home to three main peaks:
- King Peak (also unimaginatively known as Ba Vi Mountain): sitting at 1,296 meters, (4,250 feet), this is the highest peak of the national park. At its top, you’ll find Bac Ho temple, dedicated to the uber-famous Ho Chi Minh. There are various trails taking you to the top of the peak, but it’s also possible to drive all the way to the top.
- Tan Vien Peak: with a summit of 1,226 meters (4,000 feet), this one is home to another temple (known as ‘The Upper Temple,’ and dedicated to the god that shares its name with the park).
- Ngoc Hoa Peak: Measuring in at 1,131 meters (3,710 feet), it’s the third-highest peak in the range, and it’s the least popular of all the three hikes. If you want a quiet hike, this is the one for you.
All three hikes are listed on Maps.me, and all are waymarked (though not always particularly well). You can get a map of the walking routes at the entrance of the park.
Other highlights of the area include native birds, French ruins, and some excellent cycling routes.
7. Soc Son: Easy and Accessible Hiking
For nature, this is another of the best day trips from Hanoi.
In some ways, Soc Son is pretty similar to Ba Vi: it’s a close-to-the-city woody area with hikes, forests, and lakes.
Lake-based day trip hIghlights include:
- Dai Lai Lake: one of the area’s biggest and most popular lakes, you’ll find snack-sellers, fresh coconuts, swan-shaped pedalos, a temple to a ferry, and lots of local picnickers.
- Ham Lon Lake: home to a campsites, a load of hammocks, and lots of sunset-watchers.
- Dong Do Lake: hill-backed, loads more campsites, and a huge number of homestays.
And hike-based day trip highlights include:
- Ham Lon Peak: though the round-trip (in and out the same way) is only 3 miles (5km), it’s pretty steep. It’s the most popular and well-known hike in the area.
- Dong Do Lake: you can walk around the entirety of its shores, or head to the peak just to the northwest of the lake, via the so-called ‘Fire Road’ hiking trail.
The two above trails (and some other popular trails) are marked on Maps.me, and most other hiking apps.
8. Thay Pagoda: History, Religion, and Water Puppets
One of the #1 day trips from Hanoi if you’re looking for something close to the city (it basically sits on the western outskirts of the city).
Also known as Thien Phuc Pagoda, this place is close to little lakes, little hills, and other little temples.
It’s one of the best spots on our list for learning about local culture, and local history. The history here stretches back over 1,000 years, and highlights include:
- Tucked-away shrines
- Mini courtyards
- Throwback wooden architecture
- Intricate wooden carvings
- Limestone cliffs
- Old knockabout bridges
And although it sits close to Hanoi, it’s not particularly touristy.
When you arrive, guides will be waiting at the front of the temple. You should take a tour (without context, the trip is pretty hollow), but don’t pay more than 200,000VND for your guide,
If you head here on the 7th and 8th days of the third lunar month (which usually means in March, but you can check for sure here), you’ll see some water puppetry. Shows are also occasionally held on other days, but they’re pretty rare.
9. Co Loa Citadel: Ancient History and Heritage
One of the oldest fortresses in Vietnam (and maybe the oldest of them all, depending on who you ask), Co Loa Citadel has tales dating back over 2,000 years.
… so if you’re interested in history, this is one of the #1 day trips from Hanoi.
First constructed under the reign of a king, it was then expanded by other rulers.
Here, you’ll find the ruins of the fortress, featuring shrines, a temple, an old palace, lots of walls, and a pretty lake. And you’ll hear mythical tales, and learn about battles against intruders and invaders.
The signage isn’t great—so if you really want to learn, consider asking for a bespoke tour from your hostel or your guesthouse.
10. Van Phuc: The Silk Village
As you’ve probably noticed by now, Hanoi has a big history of lots of crafting and creating.
… and if you’re interested in all that stuff, Van Phuc is another must-visit place.
Sitting around 6 miles (10km) southwest of Hanoi, locals here have been producing silk (and making things with that silk) for over 1,000 years. They do it by farming silkworms.
Now, the village is home to traditional factories, ancient techniques, handmade garments, and little festivals and fashion shows.
But if you go on your own, it’s tough to know what to see and what to do… so it can superficially seem like just another suburb of Hanoi (much of the silk stuff is secretive and hidden-away).
… so I recommend going with a guide or a driver. Ask for one at your accommodation, and they’ll be able to help.
11. Quang Phu Cau: Incense and Scents
In some ways, Quang Phu Cau is like Van Phuc.
Another ancient Vietnamese craft village, it sits on the outskirts of Hanoi, and it’s famous for old-school methods. But instead of creating and crafting with silk, the people of Quang Phu Cau make incense…
… and their incense has a whole bunch of different smells and scents.
Because the villagers use lots of dye, it’s a very colorful place—and it’s popular with photographers and Instagrammers, who visit the village to nab scenic shots of the place.
But, again, just like with Van Phuc, it’s hard to know where to go and what to do (and most of the good stuff is hidden away).
… so the best way to visit Quang Phu Ca is by tackling this tour.
12. Walking Tour of Hanoi: Hidden Streets and Sites
Okay, this isn’t really a day trip (because it takes place inside Hanoi, not outside Hanoi).
… but, bear with me here: this tour of Hanoi is the best way to really understand the city.
If you’re interested in local people, local culture and local history, it’s one of the best day trips (maybe THE best day trip) you can take.
Anyone can see the famous sites and the famous places and the big ol’ tourist attractions.
But if you want to see:
- The hidden
- The tucked-away
- The ‘real Hanoi’
- … and all the things most tourists don’t…
… this is the day trip for you.
It’s led by students from the city, who know all about its people and places (and, typically, have lived in the city their entire lives). Perks include:
- Cheap prices (at present, this tour costs the same as what you probably pay for a coffee)
- A private experience for you and whoever you’re traveling with (so you can see whatever you want, at whatever pace you want)
- Lots of time to ask questions
You’ll see big places (Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, The Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, and the Vietnam National Museum of History), in addition to all the hidden-away stuff.
There’s no better way to see the city center. Yep, this isn’t a day trip: but because it’s so different to what most tourists see, it feels like one.
13. Hanoi Jeep Tours: Retro Revving
Another of the top day trips from Hanoi that isn’t really a day trip. Woopsy.
… but if you’re looking for something a bit silly, a bit touristy and very very different, this tour is for you.
During these kooky tours, you ride around the central parts of Hanoi in an old Soviet-era GAZ-69 jeep (from the 1950s), and see some famous and not-so-famous parts of the city. You also get street food, and a drink at a rooftop bar.
The vehicles are big, open-topped and spacious—perfect for traveling in big groups, and for nabbing city views without having to ride around on a motorbike.
It’s one of the city’s most popular trips, and I often see people on it… riding by me in their big green jeeps while I sip on a coffee or ride my bike or whatever.
The only real downfall here is you can’t go down many of the city’s small alleys (cos the jeeps are so big). But the guides can give you advice on some of the litter places you might want to revisit later.
14. Foodie Experiences: Chewing, Chomping, and Cooking
Controversial opinion for you, but Hanoi is the best city I’ve ever been to for eating local food…
… and if you visit the city without chowing down on loads of meals and morsels, you’re doing it wrong.
But it’s hard to know the best places to eat (cos there are loads of terrible touristy places), and it’s hard to know what to eat (cos English menus can be hard to find, and some of the best dishes aren’t well-known).
So to get the best from the food, you should book a tour or a day trip.
… I’ve taken both cooking classes and street-food tours in Vietnam, and they’re both excellent. They’re affordable, they introduce you to flavors most tourists never eat, and you don’t need to spend ten million hours planning or getting lost:
Both give you authentic insights, and both are great day trips from Hanoi (even though they actually take place in Hanoi).
15. Banana Island: A Green Maze in a River
For something quick and easy, definitely one of my favorite day trips from Hanoi.
Banana Island is a long thin island sitting in the middle of Hanoi’s big Red River. And it’s very close to the city center (weirdly, it sort of sits in the middle of the city center).
… and as you’ve probably guessed from its name, it’s home to lots of banana plantations. You’ll find dirt tracks, small farms, rural homes, lifelong locals, and rurality that feels a million years away from the bustle of central Hanoi.
… and it’s also home to some quirky venues.
So rent a bicycle (from here or your accommodation), cycle to the island, then ride around it aimlessly.
Some must-visit venues on day trips to Banana Island include:
Are there any places I can’t (or shouldn’t) take day trips from Hanoi?
Yep.
The first is Duong Lam Ancient Village:
Most other websites (and many people) recommend visiting Duong Lam Ancient Village, but it’s not very interesting. Duong Lam Ancient Village is just a village, and you can see hundreds of villages in Vietnam. So unless you’re really really really interested in rural pockets of nothing, I wouldn’t bother.
(and, when you come here, you’ll see loads of big tour groups on day trips, which sort of takes away the charm).
The second, as I’ve sort of covered, is Ha Long Bay:
Yes, you can visit Halong Bay on a day tour from Hanoi (as above). And you absolutely should!
… but you can’t visit Halong Bay solo in one day (well, unless you want to spend about one hour at Halong Bay itself).
And if you visit Ha Long Bay in one day solo, you won’t get enough time for the cable car ride, or a boat tour, or a boat trip, or for even seeing the best parts of Ha Long Bay.
… so if you’re going to take a day trip to Ha Long Bay, make sure you do it on a tour!
The Overall Best Day Trip from Hanoi
Alright, that’s us done—they’re the 15 best day trips from Hanoi!
As we’ve covered, my very-favorite day trip from Hanoi is Ninh Binh: it’s adventurous, it’s beautiful, it offers a great boat ride, you’ll find some of Vietnam’s famous rice paddies, and you can see LOADS of stuff (especially if you take the tour we recommended above). And it’s *just* close enough to the city to do as a day trip.
For more, get yourself over to our guides on the best places to stay in Hanoi, and the 15 best places to visit in Vietnam.
Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Travelness, and we’ll see you next time. Tạm biệt for now!
