Anne-Charlotte PasseraA day trip from Hanoi can take you to places such as Ha Long Bay, Perfume Pagoda or Ninh Binh as an example. It’s my opinion that of the 3 mentioned, only Perfume Pagoda is worth going to as a day trip from Hanoi.
As an option, you could stop at the Perfume Pagoda before heading down to Ninh Binh and spending the night there.
Perfume Pagoda (4 hours)
This complex of temples and pagodas is located roughly 1 hour and a half away from Hanoi. The best way to get there is either with an organized tour or you can use DAYTRIP to take you there with a private chauffeur and they will drop you off wherever you require. Otherwise, you can check with 12GOASIA.
A day trip from Hanoi to the Perfume Pagoda is worth going to if you have the time. It will be a long day, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Once you arrive at the site, the real journey begins by boat.
A one-hour boat ride (each way) will take you along a scenic waterway between limestone cliffs, and boat vendors singing karaoke. Afterward, you’ll have to climb your way up along an easy path to check out the temples and pagodas.
You can read our Once Upon a Time Travel to Ninh Binh for more information.
Ninh Binh
Referred to as the Ha Long Bay on land, Ninh Binh should absolutely be on your list of day trips to do from Hanoi.
It can easily be done as a day trip as it’s only 2 hours away from Hanoi, but there are so many beautiful things to see that it would be a pity to miss out on them.
Ha Long Bay
The ever so popular Ha Long Bay can be done as a day trip from Hanoi if you are willing to ride in a bus or car for 8 hours in 1 day.
Also, in order to really appreciate it, it’s my opinion that you should consider taking a 2- or 3-night cruise.
On your one-day cruise there, you won’t be able to appreciate the bay as you’ll stay there with every other tourists’ boats. Apparently, the water is pretty filthy at the beginning of the bay. It is for that reason you should spend the night there.
