14 BEST DAY TRIPS TO ESCAPE HANOI's CROWDS

Welcome to Hanoi where you see smaller, noisier, greener yet more dignified than Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam capital can sometimes look like a provincial French city. This, like most things to do Vietnam, is still changing fast. Life (Noise & Traffic, unfortunately) is there in the streets of Hanoi – However, some of us, may think of finding few options to explore more of northern Vietnam on a day trips from Hanoi.

An excursion in and out of Hanoi offer both culture and fun through some of the well-worth-a-visit places of interest that offers northern Vietnam country-side life to you. Consequently, if you plan for a weekdays, or even weekend, there are number of options to engage in.

Some of the day trips out of Hanoi I am recommending to you are among the must see places that tourist are all aware of, yet, some of them are not since they are more popular day trips for local Vietnamese.

Wondering how to prepare a long trip ? Read my guide on One Month Vietnam Itinerary or, browse some of the planned Vietnam Tours & Trips

10 best day trips to escape Hanoi’s crowds [Recommended by locals]

Halong Bay

Travel time: ~3 hours ride

One of the very first places to go on a day trip from Hanoi, Vietnam is of course Ha Long Bay.

Magnificent Halong Bay, with its 3000 islands rising from the clear, emerald waters, is one of Vietnam’s natural marvels. The tiny islands are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes created by the wind and waves.

The most impressive of the grottoes is the Hang Dau Go, a huge cave of three chambers. The name Ha Long means ‘where the dragon descended into the sea’, and refers to a legend about a dragon who created the bay and islands with its flailing tail.

Halong is within ~2.5 hours or a bit longer from Hanoi’s center – some travelers with less time, go for a day trip while almost anyone i met, choose to go for one of the many options for an overnight cruise stay (2 days or 3 days).

The overnight options are definitely recommended while the day trip to Halong is quite tiring, so, plan it wisely and get the most out of this amazing place. Visiting caves, sunset from the cruise’s balcony, kayaking and hiking are some of the activities you can except when booking a tour to visit Halong Bay.

Read more about this magnificent destination on my comprehensive guide to visit Halong Bay

Ninh Binh & Tam Coc

Travel time: ~2 hours ride

Located within 100km or some 2 hours ride from center of Hanoi – Ninh Binh has always been a short-ride option around Hanoi to spend a day exploring its beautiful gem, countrysides, water buffaloes, caves and more.

Ninh Binh often describe as Halong Bay on the ground as the magnificent limestone towers rising up from the middle of rice paddies making it such an eye-catching place to be.

Many tourist and locals from other parts of Vietnam choose Ninh Binh as a weekend getaway since its only less than 2 hours ride from Hanoi – however if you are in a short time, the day trip would easily fit as well.

Check out more of Ninh Binh Vietnam – one of the best overnight trips from Hanoi

Here are some of the best things to do once in Ninh Binh

Take a paddleboat tour in Trang An or Tam Coc

Trekking to visit Bich Dong Pagoda

Stroll through Hoa Lu Ancient Village

Clib up for Hang Mua viewpoint

Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda

Explore the Van Long Wetlands

Day trips from Hanoi to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Travel time: Less than 2 hours ride

Another very cool day trip options around Hanoi for those who love to explore historic attractions. Hoa Lư Ancient Capital is often visited together with one of few other options of Ninh Binh tours and the best bet is to visit on weekdays since weekends are busier time.

Hoa Lu used to be the ancient capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1009 – The ancient site is covered a large area, the entrance is through a bridge with a walled fortifications. The main highlights that remained in the Ancient capital city were the temples and nearby gardens. The entrance ticket is only 20k VND (Less than 1 USD).

An overnight trip to Sapa from Hanoi [Best for weekend]

Travel time: Around 6 hours overnight bus

An overnight trip to Sapa from Hanoi – probably the best if you plan it over a weekend. Located at an altitude of 1600m (6112ft) in the remote North-Western Highlands, Sapa entrances most visitors.

Sapa was built as a hill station for the French in 1922, but went into a long decline from which it has long been recovered and converted into a tourist city. More and more travellers are visiting as the city. is a great weekend escape from the busy Hanoi.

In addition, Sapa is home to hill tribes (mostly Hmong, Dao and Kinh people) who live in the area. The Saturday market is the best place to buy handicrafts. Accommodation can be tight, especially on weekends when tour parties visit.

The cable car to visit Fansipan (3143m/10,309ft), which is Vietnam’s highest mountain is another activity to expect when visiting Sapa. A hike to the top and back takes about four days, and you’ll need a guide and decent equipment, as it is usually wet and cold.

→ Check out full tourist guide to Visit Sapa Vietnam

Best things to do in Sapa in 2025

Fansipan hiking trips / cable car

Explore Sapa town / with or without motorbike

Silver waterfall

Tram Ton pass

Visit local minorities

Trekking to ethnic villages

Quang Phu Cau Incense Village 1 Day easy trips from Hanoi

Travel time: Around 1 hour

A photography experience and a great, easy 1 day trip from Hanoi – some visitors even take a half-day tour to visit one of the highly underrated places to just out of Hanoi city.

The instagram snaps you see over Vietnam tourism photography are all originated from incenses village of Quang Phu Cau which is easily accessible with taxi, or motorbike from the center of Hanoi.

A shared taxi for 2-3 people wouldn’t cost more than 1 million VND and its absolutely worth a time.

However, some travelers are also reported to take a visit to Incense village together with Hoa Lu and Trang An on a day trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh.

Mai Chau Valley

Travel time: Around 3 hours with bus from center of Hanoi

Mai Chau stands down in a valley surrounded by the green lush rice paddies offering a great escape ideal for either day trips from Hanoi by motorbike, or a great choice for a weekend trip to chill and relax in a peaceful countryside. There are several busses, 16 seat super comfy Limousines takes you to Mai Chau from Hanoi.

Most tourists stay in Bản Lác (Lac village) where there are more homestay and small resorts run by local minority people.

Mai Chau is house to White Thai ethnic group, who have ancestral connections to tribes in Thailand, Laos, and China. Such a setting makes Mai Chau an ideal destination for day trips from Hanoi or a weekend trip for those seeking an escape from urban life.

Essential things to do while in Mai Chau

Cycling through the rice fields

Mai Chau flag tower

Ride through Nhung Khe pass

Homestay experience

Try local cuisine

Pu Luong

Travel time: Less than 4 hours

If you’re looking for a less touristy (I bet it is), and a place to dive into nature, then there you go – Pu Luong is just a few hours from Hanoi and its only suitable for a Weeknd rides with motorbike from Hanoi.

If you’re not into motorbike trips, then there are arrangements through travel agents in Hanoi that is included homestay, or newly established resorts, transportation and full board stay in Pu Luong.

Pu Luong is off-the tourist tracks and there are hiking opportunities through the lush greenery, rice fields and traditional bamboo rafting through Cham Spring. To get to Pu Luong with motorbike from Hanoi, you’ll first need to head toward Hoa Binh, then carry on toward Mai Chau and half way turn toward the lush forests to reach the area.

Cat Ba national park

Travel time: Less than 5 hours

A well worth a weekend trip from Hanoi with options to stay in the island – Cat Ba National Park is home to over 30 types of mammals – including langurs, wild boar, deer, squirrels and hedgehogs –  there are 70 species of birds including hawks, hornbills and cuckoos.

A tour guide is not mandatory, but is definitely recommended if you want to go walking; otherwise, all you are likely to see is a canopy of trees. To reach the national park headquarters take a taxi from one of the hotels in Cat Ba town, other option is to hire a xe-om motorbike.

There is a challenging 18km hike through the national park and up to one of the mountain summits. Arrange a guide for this six-hour hike, and organise a bus or boat transport to the trailhead and a boat to get back to Cat Ba town.

All of this can be easily organised with rangers at the national park headquarters or at the hotels in Cat Ba if you’re travelling independently.

Mu Cang Chai

Travel time: Over 6 hours ride

Incredible scenery, great hiking options and a wonderful off-the-tourist-path to visit some of the most beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam.

Mu Cong Chai isn’t really an option for a day trip from Hanoi, its definitely less touristy and you’re more likely to find few homestays that needs to be poked in advance (specially if you’re going for a weekend).

If you’re into photography and love to capture those jaw-dropping rice terraces, then head to Mu Chang Cai and plan for some hiking in the lush rice fields. The best of the best ways to get here is on a motorbike trip, if you do this, make sure to ride a trusty motorbike that takes you up the mountains with mo issue.

There are enough budget friendly homestay in the region – all offer rooms home-cooked lunch and dinner – the more expensive resort and spa option, however located within some 50km from Mu Cang Chai.

Ba Vi National park

Travel time: Over 1.5 hours ride

One of the most popular 1.5 hour drive from Hanoi, Ba Vi National Park is a cool place with stunning mountain views and tropical forest with options for an overnight stay.

Ba Vi ranked among the best day trips from Hanoi and attracts Hanoians looking for a weekend away from the city. The park has several rare and endangered flora and fauna.

There’s a temple to Uncle Ho at the mountain’s summit (1276m) – it’s a hard but beautiful 30-minute climb up 1229 steps through the forest – with spectacular views of the Red River valley and Hanoi in the distance.

Ina addition, there is an old French shelter and church. built some 100 years ago – There are also an orchid garden, and swimming opportunities in Suoi Nga or in the waterfalls like Thac Cong Troi and Thuong Temple.

Tam Dao Hill Station

Travel time: Over 1 hours ride

Another where to go place within just 1 hours ride from Hanoi – Tam Dao Hill Station is a popular place of escape from the heat of the Red River Delta. Founded in 1907 by the French, most of the grand old colonial villas were destroyed during the Franco–Viet Minh War back in 1950s and the ruins have since been replaced by Soviet-inspired, concrete-box architecture.

Locals flock to Tam Dao just about anytime – Its chill and since it has more to do with high elevation and cool climate than any resemblance to Hanoi. If you’re living in Hanoi and would like to find a summer weekend retreat, it’s worth heading up for the cool weather and a change of pace.

Tam Dao is one of the best day trips from Hanoi since its just a short drive away but with great hiking trails and beautiful views overlooking the region.

Things to do while in Tam Dao

Trek the Tam Dao National Park

Truc Lam An Tam Zen Monastery

Explore old style French villas

Tam Dao golf & resort

Bat Trang Pottery Village

Travel time: 30 minute motorbike ride from the center of Hanoi

If time is limited and you seek for a must see short trip around Hanoi, then, Bat Trang Pottery Village, on the Red River and just some 30 minutes south of the city centre, is the place to go for a half a day visit. Also known as Bat Trang Ceramic Village, it represents a concealed artistic gem, offering a village-like ambiance in close proximity to the urban centre.

Bat Trang Pottery Village carries on a centuries-old tradition of ceramic-making. while walking the narrow alleys, encounter a well display of exquisite ceramic works and handcrafted pieces. From intricate vases to charming figurines, this locale presents an excellent opportunity to acquire distinctive souvenirs that embody the rich Vietnamese craft heritage.

Get off beaten track to Hanoi hidden banana island

Travel time: 15 min from Hoan Kiem

A glimpse of local life – a very best & easy option for day trips within Hanoi, Vietnam is the bicycle tour through hidden gems toward the Banana Island under the Long Bien Bridge in the center of Hanoi.

Right next to the noisy streets of Hanoi, a visit to a banana island, a hidden gem on the Bankside of Red River within the Old Quarter will bring you a chance to meet and interact with local farmers and explore a small floating houses. Pick tropical fruits and grill some corn to enjoy with green tea.

Soc Son: Expat’s popular choice’s for a day trips from Hanoi

Travel time: 30 min from Hoan Kiem, center of Hanoi

Soc Son has become a place to go as it is a 30 minute taxi ride from the center of Hanoi – the little place is well-known among locals and expats for its ideal camping and picnic spots. Thanks to its dense forest area and natural lakes.

Combined with the fresh air, far from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi city, Soc Son is a suitable escape and a resort destination for weekend getaways.

There are a variety of villas and reasonably places to stay as cheap as 40 USD per night for a while villa. Pic Nic, BBQ, pool party are some of the things you can expect.

In addition, there is an ideal place for enduro ride with climbs to practice your dirt bike skills.

How to: Best day trips from Hanoi, Vietnam for overnight or weekend getaway

Day trips around Hanoi Vietnam are among the best choices allowing tourists to experience off the tourist track destinations while traveling in the capital city. There are numerous , easy yet budget friendly day trip options to choose from, whether you’re traveling solo, with family & kids and or if you’re an adventure seekers looking for short trips to enjoy.

In addition, Hanoi undoubtedly has a place for an excursion& an overnight or weekend trips on every traveller’s itinerary.

Where to go for a long weekend from Hanoi?

Hanoi, capital of the country is a vibrant and exciting city where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of new Asia. Hanoi offers a thriving entertainment scene and nightlife, gorgeous temples and attractions to visit.

Once you’ve explored the best of Hanoi you may be keen to move on and explore more day trips to Northern Vietnam from Hanoi.

Rather than constantly being on the move and staying different city everyday, it can be more convenient and even more affordable to just opt for a longer weekend trips for a few extra days and take some day trips out of Hanoi.

In fact, there are quite a number of destinations to choose for a chill weekend from Hanoi. However, the options i recommended above are worth the trip and some of them are not really suitable for an excursion and day trips around Hanoi.

Some other options for a longer weekend (overnight stay), from Hanoi including Ha Giang, Sapa, Moc Chau are considered the best options. If you are going to one of those places, I recommend you to plan well and list down the activities you’d like to experience.

Check out Ha Giang Loop tour with motorbike