You are wondering where to go to escape the bustle and hustle of Hanoi. Come to non touristy places to enjoy peaceful atmosphere and fresh air. The following article will introduce to you destinations near Hanoi for your backpacking trip.
1. Ba Vi National Park
Only far from Hanoi about 50km towards the West, Ba Vi National Park’s location is in Tan Linh Commune, Ba Vi District, Ha Tay Province. The park treasures the spectacular landscape of mountains and forests, diverse natural scenery, fascinating flora and cool climate all year round.
Vua Peak, Tan Vien Peak and Ngoc Hoa peak are 3 highest ones of the Ba Vi range with many myths of the early start of the country, attached with legends about “Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh”. Ba Vi National Park embraces these 3 peaks. Such a fairytale landscape! It is a space full of past and present legends.
You should drive by motorcycle to enjoy the adventure and freedom. (you’re wondering how to own the bike, come to the guy James who is a motorbike provider for backpackers in Hanoi). You can reach the top of Ba Vi Mountain to get a stunning view and then keep climbing onto the Thuong temple and the temple of Uncle Ho. On the way down to the mountain foot, you can visit the church and feel the pure taste of the mountains.
2. Dai Lai Lake
Picturesque landscape in Dai Lai Lake
With the distance of 1-hour drive from Hanoi, Dai Lai Lake tourist site located in Vinh Phuc province brings a fresh natural green space, where visitors can shed all of the anxieties of the daily life. Inside the Dai Lai Lake is the area of green space spreading over 123 hectares, and surrounded by 500 hectares of water surface and 10.000 hectares of natural forest.
When visiting the lake, you can take the boat tour for sightseeing and exploring the Dai Lai lake, visiting Bat Cave, Gieng Troi, fishing and camping, etc. You can also walk in the immense pine forests, visit the village of San Diu people, explore the ancient castle traces and enjoy the unique cuisine of the ethnic minorities.
3. Dong Mo Eco-tourism site
Dong Mo Eco-tourism site is just far from Hanoi about 40km towards the West so you can come to this place by motorbike or by tourist car. Dong Mo is located in the tourist complex of cultural villages of Vietnamese ethnic minorities, so you will have the great opportunity to visit the beautiful scenes of mountains and forests of ethnic groups’ villages.
In recent years, because Dong Mo Eco-tourism site has become an attractive destination with affordable price in Hanoi, many families and young people choose it as the ideal place for a short day trip.
It would be interesting to go camping with family or a group of friends along the edge of a forest camp, and participate in outdoor activities such as sailing, fishing, digging bamboo shoots; and especially, enjoy the barbecue specialties of Son Tay such as naturally raised chicken, grilled fish. The price for camping is 300.000 VND/ day. If staying overnight, it is 600.000 VND/ night.
4. Tay Thien scenic area
Truc Lam Tay Thien monastery
In the 65-kilometer distance from Hanoi towards the North west, Tay Thien scenic area (Dai Dinh Commune, Tam Dao District, Vinh Phuc Province) is a cultural and tourist complex. To visit Tay Thien, you drive on the road of Thang Long – Noi Bai from Hanoi, then turn left along the road to Vinh Phuc. From Vinh Phuc, you will follow the road to Tam Dao but until arrival in the foothill, turn left to drive to Tay Thien as the signpost.
Suspense cable system in Tay Thien
In Tay Thien, you can take a visit to Thong Temple, Tay Thien Temple, Truc Lam Tay Thien monastery, Truc Lam An Tam monastery and other places.
5. Bang Ta natural forest
Bang Ta natural forest is located on a low hill in Ba Vi District, Ha Tay Province. It is far from Hanoi about 65km to the west, Ao Vua tourist site 14km and Hai Lake 3.8km.
wild animals in Bang Ta nature forest
When visiting Bang Ta primary forest, visitors are not allowed to drive any kinds of vehicles to avoid frightening the wild animals. In addition to breathing fresh air and enjoying the specialties of Ba Vi mountains, you can visit the complex of Muong ethnic group’s villages, stay overnight at the stilt house and take part in interesting activities such as campfire, drinking “Rượu cần” (wine drunk out of a jar through pipes) and listening to folk songs.