VnExpress has selected day trips from reputable Hanoi tour operators, highly rated on platforms like Tripadvisor and Traveloka. Many tours are flexible, with departures throughout the day and no requirement to join a group.

Explore Hanoi by vintage motorbike or jeep

Instead of walking or taking the bus, experience Hanoi on vintage motorbikes (like Vespa, Minsk) or jeeps. Tours traverse the Old Quarter, Long Bien Bridge, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, Bat Trang ceramic village, the Red River banks, and the surrounding countryside.

Discover hidden alleys, capture vintage-style photos, and hear stories about Hanoi's history from your guide. Tours last 4-5 hours and are available day or night.

Providers: Vietravel, Elite Tour, Hanoi Jeep Tour, BM Travel Adventure.

Hoang, a guide at Hanoi Jeep Tour, says tours are available any day of the week, at any time. The price per person starts from 1.7 million VND.

Old Quarter cyclo tour with egg coffee making experience

Old Quarter cyclo tour and Hanoi food experience. Photo: Traveloka

Old Quarter cyclo tour and Hanoi food experience. Photo: Traveloka

Egg coffee, a beloved Hanoi beverage with a 70-year history, is a highlight of this tour. Explore by foot, cyclo, bicycle, or motorbike. Participate in an egg coffee making class at Cafe Minh, combined with a street food journey featuring pho, bun cha, banh mi, and bun dau mam tom.

The itinerary covers areas like Hang Bac, Ta Hien, Dong Xuan Market, and renowned eateries.

Tours typically last half a day, starting around 8 a.m. and ending after lunch. Afternoon departures with dinner are also available. Vegetarian food tours and traditional Vietnamese cooking classes are also offered.

Providers: Traveloka, Gala Travel. Prices range from 500,000 to 750,000 VND.

Red River cruise

This tour, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., explores historical sites and craft villages along the Red River on a 3-story luxury cruise ship.

Destinations include Dam Temple, dedicated to Mother Thuy (one of the three Mother Goddesses in Vietnamese spirituality); Dai Lo Temple, a Tran dynasty temple honoring Mother Thuong Thien and Mother Thuong Ngan; and Chu Dong Tu Temple, dedicated to one of the "Four Immortals" of Vietnamese belief. The final stop is Bat Trang ceramic village, where you can try pottery, visit the museum, and buy souvenirs.

Lunch is included and served onboard.

Provider: Song Hong Tourist.

Price per person: 750,000 VND for individual travelers. Children under 4 are free. A Song Hong Tourist representative advises booking in advance, especially for weekends, as tours can get crowded. Private group bookings are also available.

Kayaking or SUP on the Red River

Tourists kayaking on the Red River. Photo: Umove

Tourists kayaking on the Red River. Photo: Umove

For adventurous travelers, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) offers a unique perspective of Hanoi's tranquility. Paddle along the Red River, admire the city from the water, and visit riverside villages.

The tour incorporates environmental awareness with a river cleanup activity. Beginners receive instruction from experienced guides. Tours last 3-4 hours, typically departing in the early morning or late afternoon, from Nhat Tan Bridge (flower village) to near Long Bien Bridge.

Providers: Klook, Umove Adventure, Elite Tour. Prices are around 700,000 VND per person.

Lam Nguyen, a guide at Umove Adventure, recommends training before the tour, such as jogging or paddling for 1-2 weeks. This could involve running twice a week for 3-5 km per session, or paddling 2-3 times a week for 5 km per session.

Ca tru performance and Tinh hoa Bac Bo show

For traditional arts enthusiasts, ca tru music and the Tinh hoa Bac Bo show are excellent choices. Ca tru dates back to the 11th century. The Tinh hoa Bac Bo show at Thay Pagoda (Quoc Oai commune) depicts northern Vietnamese life, blending traditional culture and open-air theatre with modern technology.

For ca tru, visit the Hanoi Ca Tru Club (42 Hang Bac) or Thang Long Ca Tru (146 Tu Hoa). For Tinh hoa Bac Bo, round-trip transport from central Hanoi is available for 100,000 VND, or private transport can be arranged through tour operators.

Book tours through hotels, in the Old Quarter, via Traveloka and Klook, or directly at the venues.

Tinh hoa Bac Bo show. Photo: BTC

Tinh hoa Bac Bo show. Photo: BTC

Quang Phu Cau incense village tour

This tour offers a glimpse of rural life outside Hanoi, immersed in the northern Vietnamese countryside.

Located about 30 km from the city center, Quang Phu Cau incense village (Ung Thien commune) provides picturesque photo opportunities. Reminiscent of Hue's famous Thuy Xuan incense village, visitors learn about traditional incense making and can even create their own.

Tours last half a day or a full day, depending on the chosen experience. The village charges an entrance and photography fee of 100,000 VND per person.

Providers: The Sinh Tourist or tour offices in the Old Quarter. Independent travel to the village is also possible daily. Package tours from central Hanoi, including meals, cost between 700,000 and 1 million VND.

Tam Anh