Top 9 day tours from Hanoi - One day to discover local life

Why should you choose a day tour from Hanoi?

• Day tours are suitable for travelers with limited time because they provide a cost and time-effective way to explore beautiful landmarks. 
• Day tours are often operated by experienced local guides with extensive knowledge of the area. This helps visitors to enjoy the most attractive destinations and discover interesting information about the history, culture, and landmarks of the region.
• Day tours allow tourists to interact and connect with people who share similar interests in the same destinations. This creates a fun and friendly environment while providing opportunities to exchange ideas and learn from others.

9 day tours you can discover from Hanoi

From Hanoi, travelers can take note of the following 9 destinations to take a day tour that suits your interests. 

1. Ha Long Bay cruise tour

Halong Bay is a famous tourist destination in Vietnam, recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site. With its majestic and artistic beauty of thousands of islands, Halong Bay is an excellent day trip destination from Hanoi. You visit famous destinations such as Titop Island, Me Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, etc., and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Halong Bay on a tourist boat.

To make your Halong Bay trip more convenient, please take note of a few tips to save time and money:

• To get around in Halong, you can call a local taxi, rent a bike or use an electric bus (Only available in Bai Chay area)
• Should experience Ha Long Bay on a cruise to explore Ha Long caves, islands, islets, and the ocean. 
•  The best time to visit Ha Long is in the summertime, from April to July. If you don't like the peak season, go from August to October.
• Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a light jacket to avoid the harsh sun.
•  Wear soft sandals or sports shoes to walk on the beach and explore the caves more comfortably.
• There are many accommodations and hotels with similar names, so make sure to remember your accommodation address. Remember to save the guide's phone number for timely support.
• A day tour may not cover all of Halong, so plan your itinerary to optimize your time and visit the places you want to see the most.
• Don't miss out on Halong's specialties such as squid sausage, noodles with clams, etc.

2. Huong Pagoda Day Trip

Huong Pagoda is a temple complex located in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi city. This is a famous temple in the northern region of Vietnam, as it is not only a sacred place but also situated in a beautiful natural landscape. Visitors not only come here to pray for blessings and tranquility, but also to enjoy many unique and delicious local specialties. There are various transportation options to get here, such as by car, motorbike, or bus. However, if you choose the Huong Pagoda Day Trip tour, you will be picked up and dropped off directly at the site and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the cable car.

To make your trip to Huong Pagoda more convenient, here are some tips to save time and costs: 

• The best time to visit Huong Pagoda is the beginning of January (Lunar calendar) when the Huong Pagoda Festival takes place. This is the largest festival in Hanoi and even in Vietnam, which lasts until the end of March (Lunar Calendar). If you prefer the peaceful and ancient atmosphere of Huong Pagoda, you can visit here in August or September on the lunar calendar, when the mountain is covered with blooming wildflowers, and the landscape is romantic and dreamy, which will leave you enchanted.
• As this is a spiritual destination for the Vietnamese people, you should dress modestly and respectfully to show sincerity. 
• You can try the raw vegetable cake or dishes made from raw vegetables, which are only found in the Huong Son area.
• Items sold on boats or around the Huong Pagoda area might be expensive.
• Buy ferry tickets at the pier to avoid overcrowding. Combine with other people to have a suitable number. If you find the ferry driver helpful, consider tipping them.
• During the festival, there will be a lot of people, so be careful with your belongings.
• Do not participate in gambling during the festival.

3. Cuc Phuong National Park Day Trip

Cuc Phuong National Park is a nature reserve located about 120km from the center of Hanoi, spanning across the provinces of Thanh Hoa, Hoa Binh and Ninh Binh. This is not only a place to explore the diversity of flora and fauna but also a unique nature check-in spot.

When visiting Cuc Phuong, you can challenge yourself by conquering the forest trails, walking amidst the cool green trees, improving your health, and breathing in the fresh air of the mountains and vegetation.

If you still don't know much about the experience of traveling to Cuc Phuong in a day, this will be a great handbook for you to have the best tour experience.

• The best time to visit Cuc Phuong is in May when the forest butterflies appear. At this time, the number of butterfly species can reach up to thousands, creating a unique and mesmerizing scenery. This is a great background for tourists to capture their most "Instagrammable" photos. In addition, the weather from August to October is also ideal for visiting Cuc Phuong and there are fewer tourists around.
• There are various transportation options to get to the Cuc Phuong National Park. Typically, tourists would choose to use the tour company's car to go deeper into the forest.
• Don't miss out on local specialties such as mountain snails, Ninh Binh mountain goat, and the delicious Thanh Hoa sour pork sausage. However, please note that the prices in the restaurants in this area might be a bit higher.
• It is recommended to bring hats, food and drink, bandages, and insect repellent as this is an ecotourism forest with many insects and mosquitoes. It's also a good idea to apply mosquito repellent cream on areas such as the head, wrists, and ankles before entering the forest.
• Don't forget to bring a camera and binoculars to capture exciting moments. 

If you are planning your upcoming trip, be sure to save these experiences and tips for exploring the Cuc Phuong National Park!

4. Mai Chau Day Trip

Mai Chau is a mountainous district in Hoa Binh province. This valley is located on the gateway to the Northwestern tourism route leading to Son La, Dien Bien, and Lao Cai. Mai Chau is only about 130 km from Hanoi, which is equivalent to a 2-hour drive by personal vehicle or bus. 

The excitement of adventure trips to Mai Chau is to cross the winding roads at places like Doc Cun, Thung Khe, and Thung Nhuoi. Enjoy the view of the mountains stretching in the distance, the misty fog surrounding the peaks, and the white streams flowing down to the foot of the hills. Visitors can come here by personal car or motorbike to experience the feeling of "adventure." However, for safety, it is recommended to choose a tour when exploring Mai Chau due to its complex terrain.

Mai Chau has a unique feature that you will always find suitable no matter what time you come. Mai Chau's climate is divided into four distinct seasons, each with its own beauty. But if you want to experience waterfall bathing, come here in the summer.

For accommodation in Mai Chau, tourists have many options such as resorts, homestays, hotels, and guesthouses... It is advised to choose homestays for beautiful views and reasonable prices. Some reputable homestays are Mai Chau Countryside Homestay, Little Mai Chau Homestay...

• Mai Chau has not been exploited much, so it is only suitable for leisure activities, experiencing natural spaces, and exploring pristine landscapes with friends.
• Mai Chau offers a variety of unique dishes that reflect the characteristics of the Northwest mountainous forest such as grilled chicken and pork with mac khen, sticky rice Nuong, forest bee larvae, and stream fish... You must try them. Additionally, you can try specialties such as stove-side buffalo meat, spices like hat doi, and mac khen as gifts.
• Prepare medicine and medical supplies to prevent accidents.
• Wear sports shoes and sandals with straps to experience Mai Chau's tourist activities most comfortably. 
• Rent or buy local clothing to take photos of the beautiful scenery of Mai Chau.

5. Duong Lam Ancient Village Day Trip

Duong Lam Ancient Village is located 44 km west of the center of Hanoi, in Son Tay town, Hanoi. Duong Lam Ancient Village is an old village with many unique cultural features. To this day, the village still retains the basic characteristics of an old village with the communal house, banyan tree, water wharf, temples and shrines. 

Currently, the price for parking a motorcycle is 10,000 VND (0.4 USD)/vehicle and the entrance fee is 20,000 VND (0.8 USD)/person. In addition, there is also a bicycle rental service in Duong Lam with prices ranging from 30-50,000 VND (1-2 USD)/hour or 80,000-100,000 VND (3-4 USD)/day.

Here are some prominent places that you should visit and take photos when visiting here:

Mong Phu Village communal house

This is a typical ancient structure of the Northern countryside built in 1684. In 1984, the Mong Phu village communal house was classified as a national historical and cultural relic. Before visiting the Mong Phu village communal house, stop at the village gate to take pictures. The village gate of the Mong Phu village communal house is the oldest architectural feature of Duong Lam ancient village. The Mong Phu village gate embodies many layers of cultural nuances with its arch architecture and ancient honeycomb stone layer. The village originally had five gates, one large gate, and four corner gates.

Giang Van Minh Holy Flower Church

Built during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc to worship and commemorate the merits of Tham Hoa Giang Van Minh, the church faces south and has a "double" structure. Today, the church has become an attractive tourist destination for those who love to learn about history and culture, as well as a place to educate young people about patriotism.

In addition, visitors can also visit ancient houses under the guidance of local residents.

Duong Lam ancient village doesn't offer high-end cuisine, but it still boasts the distinctive flavor of Vietnam's countryside, especially with dishes like: che lam, and peanut candy.

When visiting Duong Lam, please note the following:

• It's recommended to walk or bike around the village.
• It's advisable to prepare for lunch before starting the tour.
• Please avoid speaking loudly when visiting.

6. Bat Trang Ceramic Village Day Trip

Bat Trang village is a well-known destination for young those who love traditional Vietnamese pottery. Located just 15km from the center of Hanoi, this is an ideal place for a day tour from Hanoi. Bat Trang pottery village specializes in producing a wide range of pottery products of various types and designs. The most interesting thing about visiting Bat Trang is that you can directly witness the skilled artisans making delicate pottery products or even creating your own products by hand.

Conveniently located near Hanoi, you have many ways to get to Bat Trang pottery village such as by bus, car, or motorbike, or if you want a unique experience, you can join our day tour to Bat Trang pottery village by boat.

When you arrive at Bat Trang pottery village, you not only admire the beautiful ceramic products but also have many other interesting experiences to discover.

You can also visit the Bat Trang Pottery Museum, where you will be amazed by the impressive building that was constructed with great skill. The museum's unique design features seven giant spiral-shaped rotating blocks, representing seven hands molding pottery.

In addition, if you want to buy beautiful pottery items as gifts, you can visit the Bat Trang Pottery Market. Most ceramic products such as dishes, worship items, decorations, cups and bowls are affordable and come in a variety of designs.

When you visit Bat Trang pottery village, don't forget to enjoy local cuisines such as rice cakes, cassava cakes, bamboo shoots and squid soup.

Keep in mind the following tips:

• Check prices before buying any products, and be sure to bargain for a lower price. If you venture deeper into the village, you may find cheaper products.
• Be careful if you have children with you, as the village is filled with 

7. Hoa Lu and Tam Coc Day Trip

Hoa Lu - Tam Coc tourism is always a destination all year round, but the busiest and most lively season is during the beginning of spring festival. This tour is chosen by many people to be taken directly to Ninh Binh for a spring holiday - avoiding the scene of crowded buses, even the uncomfortable situation of being squeezed with unwanted passengers.

Only about 90km from Hanoi, Hoa Lu - Tam Coc is one of the most popular day tours. From Hanoi, you can take a limousine or train to Ninh Binh to experience the Hoa Lu - Tam Coc tour. 

• Preparing luggage before a journey of exploration is important for a complete trip. 
• Remember to bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to avoid getting tanned if you go on a summer trip. If you go in winter or spring, you should wear warm clothes, scarves, or warm hats to avoid colds when boating in Tam Coc, as it can be quite windy.
• Prepare yourself with "fancy" outfits to take stunning photos in Tam Coc and comfortable outfits to facilitate the exploration of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu
• Sports shoes are an excellent choice.

When in Ninh Binh, you cannot miss local specialties such as mountain goats and mountain snails. 

Read Top Things to Do in Tam Coc Rice Field - Ninh Binh

8. Ba Vi National Park Day Trip

Located approximately 60km from the city center, Ba Vi National Park covers an area of over 9,700 hectares and stretches across 15 communes and 5 districts of both Hanoi and Hoa Binh provinces. Ba Vi is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including some rare species listed in Vietnam's Red Book. When visiting Ba Vi National Park, you can immerse yourself in the pristine and majestic natural scenery of the green mountains. You can admire the marvelous beauty bestowed by Mother Nature and enjoy the fresh air.

Visitors can explore Ba Vi National Park at any time, as each season has its own unique beauty. However, if you visit during the spring, you can participate in the Den Thuong Festival and visit the temple dedicated to Uncle Ho. If you want to see and take pictures of wild daisies in bloom, the best time to visit is during the autumn season.

There are various ways to get to Ba Vi National Park, including by bus, personal car, or motorbike.

Ba Vi National Park offers a lot of things for visitors to discover and experience. Don't miss out on activities like camping or taking pictures with wild daisies. There are plenty of places to visit, such as the cactus garden, Bac Ho temple, the Ancient Church, Bao Thien Tower, and Thuong temple.

You can easily find delicious local specialties such as stream fish, Nuong sticky rice, chicken, wild pig, porcupine, and more in Ba Vi. 

A few small notes to keep in mind:

• The road to Ba Vi is steep and high, so it's not recommended to travel after 6 pm if you are not familiar with the terrain. 
• If you plan to camp and cook, especially in the summer, please be careful not to cause a forest fire. 
• Remember to save the support numbers of forest management, forest protection, and other relevant authorities to contact in case of emergency.

9. Ha Noi City Tours

If you don't want to leave the capital city of Hanoi, then check out Hanoi City Tours before leaving for other destinations. With just a rented motorbike or a bus ride, you can explore many places in the capital city in just a few hours. And if you want a unique experience, then rent a cyclo.

There are many places to visit in the city center, including:

• Hoan Kiem Lake: Hoan Kiem lake is also known as the Heart of Hanoi. This site is associated with many historical stories. In the middle of the lake is the ancient Turtle Tower, surrounded by cultural and historical heritage sites such as the Pen Tower, Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge leading to the Jade Mountain Temple, and Nghien Stele. These are the symbols that make up the beauty of the thousand-year-old capital.
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: People visit to express their respects to Uncle Ho. There is also Ba Dinh Square where Uncle Ho read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
• Tran Quoc Pagoda: It is located on a small peninsula on the east side of West Lake. The 1,500-year-old temple is considered the oldest in Hanoi and was recently listed as one of the 16 most beautiful temples in the world by the Daily Mail (UK). The temple preserves religious and historical values that attract many Buddhist followers and tourists to visit.
• St. Joseph's Cathedral: is located at 40 Nha Chung Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Overall, the architecture of the building is Gothic in style but still incorporates local architecture through its traditional Vietnamese-style tiled roof and interior decorations. 
• Temple of Literature: Known as Vietnam's first university, the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam) is not only a famous historical site in Hanoi but also a repository of the cultural and traditional values of Vietnam's feudal periods.

After visiting some famous landmarks, tourists can enjoy the specialties of Hanoi with various dishes such as Pho, Bun cha, Bun dau mam tom, Cha ca La Vong, Bun Thang...

In addition, you can buy some gifts to bring back home such as Com cake, O Mai...

As the night falls, the streets of Hanoi come alive with many activities at pedestrian streets and entertainment areas.

Some notes when in Hanoi:

• Before purchasing goods or services, it is advisable to ask for the price first.
• Hanoi's streets are quite complicated with many alleys, and traffic can be busy. It is best to prepare a map in advance to avoid getting lost.

Find more about our day tour from Hanoi: 

Halong Bay Daily Tour: 6 Hours on Cruise on expressways

Hoa Lu- Mua Cave- Tam Coc- - Bike- Bich Dong Pagoda