Top 12 Travel Tips for a 2-Day 1-Night Trip to Tam Dao

The journey from Hanoi to Tam Dao takes around 2 hours, and there are several ways to get there:

By private car: From Hanoi, head towards Thang Long Bridge and continue on the north Thang Long – Noi Bai route. After 25km, take a left turn at the intersection where National Route 2 meets AH 14 and proceed for another 500m. Then, follow the Hanoi - Lao Cai Expressway for about 25km. At the roundabout near Tam Duong, follow National Route 2B for 20km to reach the Tam Dao tourist center.

By motorbike: The route is similar to driving by car, but the 13km stretch from the base to the summit is narrow, winding, and steep. Be cautious, and avoid using automatic scooters.

By bus: Take a bus from My Dinh Station heading to Viet Tri, Yen Bai, or Vinh Yen, with fares around 50,000 VND. Once in Vinh Yen, take a taxi or motorbike to Tam Dao.

By train: You can take the Hanoi – Lao Cai train from Hanoi or Gia Lam stations to Vinh Yen, with a ticket price of approximately 35,000 VND. Afterward, grab a taxi or motorbike to Tam Dao.

By public bus: Take bus number 58 or 07 to Me Linh Plaza, then transfer to bus 01 to Vinh Yen Bus Station. From there, switch to Vinh Phuc's bus 07 to Tay Thien and get off at the closest stop to Tam Dao, then take a motorbike.

Newway Bus: The fastest option for those without private cars is the Newway bus service. Departing from either 32 Nguyen Cong Tru, Hai Ba Trung or 122 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay at 6:30 AM, the fare is around 180,000 VND. The bus drops passengers off at the Tam Dao tourism market and also picks them up from there.

When you arrive in Tam Dao, you have two main accommodation options: hotels and homestays, depending on your travel goals and personal preferences.

If you prefer comfort and want to stay close to the town center for easy access to attractions, hotels would be a better choice. Hotels in the area are modern, convenient, and offer various amenities. For instance, Venus Hotel, located right in the heart of the town, features European-style decor.

However, if you're looking for peace and tranquility, closer to nature, and want to enjoy the breathtaking mountain views, a homestay is a fantastic option. Homestays are usually situated on higher ground, a bit farther from the center, offering more privacy and panoramic views of the Tam Dao mountains. Each homestay has its unique style and creates a cozy atmosphere, making you feel right at home.

In terms of price, homestays tend to be more affordable than hotels, especially those targeted at younger travelers like 90s Homestay, Cuden, Levent, Kumo Chan... If you're after a more luxurious experience, you can opt for upscale resorts and hotels like Tam Dao Belvedere, Venus, Bach Xanh, or May Villa.

Visiting Tam Dao is not only about escaping the heat, but also about exploring many well-known tourist sites such as:

Television Tower: Located atop Mount Thien Thi at 1,375m, the climb is challenging, but the scenery is romantic and picturesque. Along the road, you’ll find orchids, daisies, and various wildflowers in full bloom, emitting a unique fragrance with vibrant colors. The area is also filled with butterflies fluttering around the flowers, greeting visitors as they arrive.

Wind Cafe Tam Dao: This unique cafe is a must-visit when in Tam Dao. It’s called the Wind Cafe because it’s built on a cliffside without a roof, yet the refreshing breezes from the mountain keep it cool even on sunny days.

Stone Church Tam Dao: This is a great spot to not only admire the mystical beauty of Tam Dao but also to take some stunning photographs. In fact, it’s a popular spot for wedding and artistic photo shoots.

Heaven’s Gate Tam Dao: From this high vantage point, you can take in panoramic views of Tam Dao. On clear days, you’ll see the town shrouded in mist, adding to its mystical atmosphere.

Silver Falls: Hidden deep within the forest, Silver Falls is a lively sight with water cascading from a mountain crevice, flowing through lush trees before splashing at the foot of the waterfall. The path to the falls is short but challenging, with narrow, slippery, and steep terrain, so make sure to stay safe.

Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple: To reach this temple, you’ll need to climb about 200 stone steps. It holds a beautiful legend and offers a dreamy view of the town. It’s one of the key spiritual sites in the Tam Dao tourist area.

Besides sightseeing and enjoying the stunning views, Tam Dao also offers some fun activities that you shouldn’t miss when visiting:

Swimming in the Pool: The pool is located halfway up the mountain, making it a romantic spot. The water is very clean, and it’s best to swim during midday or early afternoon, as it can get quite cold later in the evening. The entry fee is 50,000 VND, and if you change your mind, you can return the ticket for a refund.

Rung Rinh Peak: This is an ideal spot for adventure seekers. Head further to Rung Rinh Peak, where the scenery is straight out of a fairytale, with towering trees covered in orchids, birds singing, and butterflies fluttering in the air. A little farther lies Tam Dao 2, a once-popular vacation spot now abandoned, giving it a wild and untouched charm.

Golfing: The golf course here meets international standards, spanning 300 meters. It includes a practice range, a chip shot area with sand traps, and numerous putting traps. There are over 100 golf carts, and a team of 200 professional staff is always available to assist you.

Night Market Stroll: A walk around Tam Dao at night is a must to experience the misty atmosphere and explore the local cuisine at the small food stalls. Popular local dishes include grilled eggs, rice cooked in bamboo, coconut, roasted sweet potatoes, and clay-baked chicken.

Some hotels and guesthouses offer meal services, but they tend to be quite expensive. Some places even provide grilling services, which is convenient, but also comes at a premium. For those on a budget, it’s better to head to the local market where you can ask about prices before you eat, and enjoy a much more affordable meal.

Here are some local specialties you should try:

Susu shoots from Tam Dao: This unique vegetable is grown year-round in Tam Dao, and the shoots are often stir-fried with garlic, stir-fried with beef, or boiled and served with salt and sesame. The texture is tender, crispy, and the taste is naturally sweet and refreshing.

Stream fish from Tam Dao: These are small, round, and firm fish with a pale yellow or golden hue. Today, not every place serves this type of fish, so tasting it in Tam Dao is a special treat. The fish can be cooked in many ways, all of which are delicious, thanks to the sweet flavor of the meat.

Grilled food in Tam Dao: With its cool climate, Tam Dao is the perfect place for enjoying grilled dishes. You’ll easily find a simple grill restaurant offering dishes like beef wrapped in mustard leaves, beef wrapped in mushrooms, grilled quail, grilled chicken, and skewered pork – all worth trying.

Wild boar: For groups of more than 10 people, you can buy a wild boar, and the restaurant will prepare it for a BBQ buffet party with a campfire. It’s a unique and fun experience.

Mountain chicken wrapped in clay: This dish is popular because the chicken is raised naturally, roaming freely on the mountain, which results in firm, flavorful meat. You can enjoy dishes like chicken hotpot, boiled chicken, or salted fried chicken, but the most delicious is probably the clay-wrapped chicken.

Grilled beef with red ants: This exotic and unique dish is made by selecting freshly butchered beef, cutting it into pieces, and placing them near ant nests so the ants crawl over the meat. Afterward, the meat is cleaned, grilled over hot coals, resulting in a deliciously fragrant, savory, and sweet flavor.

Your trip will be truly complete if you bring home some souvenirs for friends and family. Tam Dao is a relatively new tourist destination, so there aren’t many souvenir items yet, but you can find plenty of local mountain specialties like:

Susu from Tam Dao: The Susu shoots are one of the most famous local specialties of Tam Dao. Not only are they used in dishes served to tourists, but they are also a popular souvenir. Locals harvest fresh Susu shoots every day, especially in the morning, to sell at the market. You can easily buy a bundle of fresh Susu shoots at the market, which usually weighs 2-4 kg and costs between 15,000 – 20,000 VND per kg.

Ngự bananas from Tam Dao: These small but sweet bananas are sold by the bunch, which typically contains 10-15 clusters. To pick out the best bunches with evenly sized fruit, it’s best to visit the market early in the morning. If you go later, you might only find smaller, irregular bananas. The price of a bunch of Ngự bananas ranges from 30,000 – 50,000 VND.

Chit Worm Wine from Tam Dao: A perfect gift for the gentlemen, this wine is made by infusing Chit worms with liquor, which is said to help improve kidney function and vitality. Though the sight of the worms in the bottle may seem unsettling, the wine is surprisingly delicious and nourishing. The worms are first cleaned with salt water, then roasted with glutinous rice before being soaked in liquor. The wine is typically ready to drink after at least one month of infusion, and the price depends on the number of worms in the bottle.

Morning: Wake up early around 5 AM for personal hygiene, breakfast, and to check your luggage. Catch the Newway bus at 6:30 AM. Upon arriving in Tam Dao, the bus will drop you off near the market. From there, you can take a motorbike taxi to your booked hotel or guesthouse, or ask the local drivers for recommendations on popular spots chosen by other tourists. Alternatively, you can walk around and easily find a place to stay since the town is small. By around 10 AM, you can check into your hotel and get ready for a day of sightseeing. Start with a visit to the Ba Chua Thuong Ngan peak and then head to the radio station. After these two spots, it's time for lunch. Enjoy some local specialties and relax at the restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, head to Quán Gió to take in panoramic views of Tam Dao while enjoying a coffee. The cool mountain breeze makes for a very refreshing experience. Don’t forget to capture beautiful photos to remember the trip. As evening approaches, find a place to have dinner or return to your hotel for a meal.

Evening: After dinner, head out to explore Tam Dao's night market. Sample local delicacies and enjoy the lively atmosphere before returning to your hotel to rest.

Wake up early to take a stroll around your hotel, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the sight of clouds enveloping Tam Dao. Afterward, enjoy a light breakfast you’ve prepared yourself before heading out to visit iconic spots such as the Heaven’s Gate, Silver Waterfall, and the Stone Church. The peaceful sound of the Silver Waterfall will wash away all your worries, leaving you with a sense of calm, as if you've just had a refreshing drink of pure water. Since your trip is short, make sure to balance your time well at each location, leaving room to visit other attractions. Don’t forget to take lots of photos to capture the memories!

Afterwards, head back to Tam Dao's market for lunch and shop for local specialties like Su Su (climbing pumpkin), Ngự bananas, and Chit Worm Wine to bring home as gifts. Once you’ve enjoyed the local flavors, return to your hotel for a short rest.

By around 3 PM, pack your things, check out, and make your way back to Hanoi.

If you're traveling to Tam Dao by Newway bus, you'll be dropped off at the market. Once you get off, you'll be approached by numerous motorbike taxis offering rides to various hotels. They'll often tell you that the hotel you're looking for is far away, but in reality, Tam Dao is small enough that you can easily walk to your accommodation.

Nighttime in Tam Dao can be quite chilly, even in the summer. The winds here can get strong, so it’s a good idea to bring along a light jacket. Additionally, make sure to pack some essential items such as comfortable shoes, cold medicine, and enough cash for emergencies.

Always ask for the price before entering any restaurant to avoid overpaying. It’s also wise to carry a small camera for impromptu photos to capture the majestic beauty of Tam Dao’s natural landscapes.

Tam Dao is a limestone mountain range located in Tam Dao district, Vinh Phuc province, in the northern region of Vietnam. About 80 kilometers northwest of Hanoi, it is a popular and beloved destination for both locals and international visitors. The area is known for its fresh air, cool climate, and beautiful natural scenery. With an elevation ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 meters above sea level, it serves as an ideal getaway during the summer heat or a perfect spot for camping during the fall and winter seasons.

In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Tam Dao is home to several historical landmarks and attractions. Notable sites include the Trình Temple, Thầy Pagoda, Tứ Phủ Pagoda, Mẫu Sơn Cave, Đại Lãnh Cave, the Tam Dao Flagpole, and the wartime memorial. Hiking is a popular activity for visitors, with beautiful mountain peaks like Đại Bình, Rồng, Bạc Falls, and Cấm Sơn to explore. From the summits, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges and forests, offering a sense of tranquility and connection with nature.

In addition, the area features a variety of restaurants and eateries offering both traditional and modern cuisine, giving you the chance to experience the unique flavors of the northern highlands.

Known as the 'Da Lat of the North', Tam Dao enjoys a mild climate throughout the year, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking a cool retreat. Each season in Tam Dao offers unique experiences and sensations for visitors.

With temperatures consistently lower than Hanoi, Tam Dao becomes a perfect summer escape. While the plains experience temperatures ranging from 27°C to 38°C from May to September, Tam Dao maintains a comfortable range of 20°C to 24°C. The area is particularly famous for having all four seasons in a single day, providing a refreshing environment, especially during the hot summer months.

During winter, Tam Dao takes on a romantic and serene atmosphere, with thick fog covering the landscape, creating a dreamlike scenery. For those who enjoy being surrounded by mist and clouds, winter is the perfect time to visit Tam Dao.

Many young travelers also flock to Tam Dao at the beginning of the year, driven by the belief that experiencing all four seasons in the early spring brings a fresh start to the year.

When visiting Tam Dao, you'll want to explore attractions like hiking to the television tower, visiting the Silver Waterfall, and hiking to the Heaven's Gate. These activities involve climbing steep and slippery stairs, so it's essential to wear a good pair of sneakers for comfort and safety. If you plan to stay overnight, don't forget to pack a pair of comfortable slippers for evening strolls through town.

If you're visiting in summer, bring a light jacket for cooler evenings and early mornings. The weather in Tam Dao often feels like four seasons in a day, so be prepared for temperature changes. In winter, a warm down jacket is a must to keep you comfortable in the chill. Since you'll be hiking a lot, it's best to wear pants like long trousers or shorts rather than skirts. For great photos, opt for colorful outfits like red, orange, purple, or blue—they make for striking pictures against the backdrop.

Additionally, pack some bottled water, snacks for in-between meals, basic medications, and insect repellent. The cool climate of Tam Dao is perfect for insects, so be sure to have protection on hand.