Buzz
These six destinations, not far from Hanoi's center, offer easy access with flexible transport options, a wide range of dining, accommodation, and entertainment services, along with beautiful scenery – making them the perfect spots for a memorable 30th April – 1st May holiday getaway.
Ba Vi National Park
Located 60km west of Hanoi, Ba Vi National Park, situated in Tan Linh commune, Ba Vi district, is a popular destination among the youth and families in Hanoi. The park offers spectacular views with its reserves, sightseeing, and recreational areas. Ba Vi is home to a typical tropical and subtropical plant ecosystem found in Vietnam, with lush greenery all year round and fresh air, making it ideal for tourism combined with relaxation. This is why Ba Vi National Park is often referred to as the 'green lung' of Hanoi, home to many rare species listed in the Red Book, such as the large loris, Asiatic black bear, yellow pangolin, peacock, white pheasant, monkey, leopard, bear, and flying squirrels.
At Ba Vi National Park, you can take leisurely walks in the forest, enjoy the scenery, and go camping. There are numerous professional camping spots, with the most popular being the pine hill at Cote 400. The entrance fee to the park is 40,000 VND for adults, with half-price discounts for students, pupils, and children.
In addition to driving your own car, you can also reach Ba Vi by bus or motorbike.
Wandering through Ba Vi National Park
There are bus routes available such as:
- Bus route 214 departs from Yen Nghia Bus Station (Ha Dong, Hanoi) to Xuan Khanh.
- Bus routes 71 or 74 from My Dinh to Xuan Khanh.
The bus terminates at Xuan Khanh, which is about 5km from Ba Vi. From there, you can take a motorbike taxi or a regular taxi to continue your journey.
If traveling by motorbike, you can choose from one of the following two routes:
Route 1: Starting from Big C Thang Long (Tran Duy Hung, Hanoi), head along Thang Long Avenue for about 30 km. Continue straight at Hoa Lac Overpass and follow the signs towards the Cultural Village area, then proceed to Yen Bai commune and Ba Vi Mountain.
Route 2: Starting from the Cau Giay area, head along National Highway 32 for about 37 km to the Son Tay bus station intersection. Turn left and continue for km to the 105 Institute intersection, then go straight for another 9 km to the Tan Linh intersection. Turn left and go another km until you reach a star-shaped junction, with the Ba Vi National Park ticket booth directly on the right.
Ba Vi doesn't have many large hotels, but still offers enough options for visitors. If your budget allows and you plan a longer stay, you can opt for bigger hotels like Lam Ky or Bach Duong. For shorter stays, consider hotels within the tourism area such as Ao Vua Hotel, Dam Long Hotel, or Khoang Xanh Hotel. Additionally, camping around scenic areas like Khoang Xanh Suoi Tien or Thien Son Suoi Nga is also a great choice.
Quan Son Lake
Explore Quan Son Lake
Located just about 40km from Hanoi's center, Quan Son Lake, often referred to as the 'Halong Bay on land,' offers fresh air and beautiful natural landscapes, making it an ideal travel destination if you're looking to take a short 3-4 day getaway.
The terrain of Quan Son Lake features around 20 large and small mountains, stretching around the water bodies. Additionally, towering cliffs that block the lake's heart make the natural scenery exceptionally grand and poetic. To explore the area, visitors must take a boat ride across the lake, starting from the Trâu Trắng Mountain, Sư Tư Island, passing by Quai Chèo Mountain, and reaching Voi Phuc Hill...
Upon reaching Quai Chèo, visitors can pause to challenge themselves with mountain climbing and enjoy the forest. The caves here are home to many stalactites, and each one evokes images of mythical creatures like Long Ly, Quy, Phung, tigers, and birds.
The journey to Quan Son is beautiful and easy to navigate, with affordable entrance fees and boat rentals. The area offers plenty of dining options at reasonable prices. If time permits, you should also visit some local temples, such as Linh Temple, Cao Temple, and Ham Yen Temple...
To reach Quan Son Lake from Hanoi, you can head towards Ha Dong, turn left at Ba La to go to Van Dinh, and then to Te Tieu. If traveling by motorbike, pass through the town of Van Dinh and follow the dike road to the intersection at Dai Nghia Town. Continue straight through the fields to reach Quan Son Lake. If taking the bus, get off at the Dai Nghia Town intersection, and then take a motorbike taxi for about 4km to reach the Quan Son Lake tourist area.
Tam Dao Town
Tam Dao, floating amidst a sea of mist
Tam Dao Tourist Area is located in Tam Dao Town, Tam Dao District, Vinh Phuc Province, about 80km from Hanoi. The area enjoys a cool climate year-round, with an average temperature ranging from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius, making it an ideal getaway for all seasons. Tam Dao is blessed with a fascinating natural environment, offering fresh, poetic views and the majestic sight of mountains shrouded in mist.
When visiting Tam Dao, you can explore several prominent tourist spots such as: Silver Waterfall, the ancient French church, the Thac Ba Temple, and the television tower...
The cuisine in Tam Dao is rich and unique, with many delicious dishes that you will certainly enjoy from the very first taste, such as: mountain chicken, wild boar meat, forest birds, salt-roasted chicken, and specialties made from su su and yam...
When visiting Tam Dao, in the evening, you can take a stroll around the night market and enjoy local delicacies such as grilled eggs, bamboo rice, and earth-baked chicken...
Tam Dao is about 80 km from Hanoi, accessible via the Vinh Yen, Vinh Phuc road. The route is generally easy, with just one section where you need to be more cautious when climbing up the mountain to reach Tam Dao. Besides riding a motorbike or driving a private car, you can also take a bus. The round-trip bus fare from Hanoi to Tam Dao is 180,000 VND per person.
Tam Dao offers a wide range of accommodations, with prices that are quite affordable for tourists. The basic rooms in Tam Dao typically cost between 300,000 to 500,000 VND per room per day, while luxurious star-rated hotels range from 1,000,000 VND to 3,000,000 VND per room per day.
When traveling to Tam Dao, not only will you be able to admire its stunning landscapes, but you'll also have the chance to sample local delicacies that reflect the unique culinary style of Tam Dao's people. Some popular restaurants you can visit to enjoy a variety of delicious dishes include Phu Nui Restaurant, Long Thanh Restaurant, Tay Thien Restaurant, and Vinh Son Restaurant.
Coto Island
The enchanting colors of Coto's sea
Coto is one of the most beautiful islands in Northern Vietnam. Located to the east of Van Don Island in Quang Ninh Province, Coto Island boasts a paradise-like beauty with its clear blue sea, white sands, crystal-clear waters, and a wide range of exciting tourist activities.
If you're concerned about the crowds and bustling atmosphere at Coto, you’re mistaken. This place offers plenty of pristine beaches to explore at your leisure, such as Van Chay, Hong Van, North Van Port, the rocky beach, and the small Coto Island.
Having a barbecue on the beach is a popular and delightful experience in Coto, with many groups of friends enthusiastically joining in. There are numerous beachfront restaurants to choose from, or you can visit the seafood market early in the morning to buy fresh ingredients and ask a local restaurant to cook them for you, ensuring you enjoy the freshest seafood Coto has to offer. Additionally, waiting for and witnessing the golden sunrise or the dreamy purple sunset over the sea is an unforgettable experience, offering a glimpse of the untouched beauty of this coastal region.
To reach Coto, you need to take a bus or private car from Hanoi to Van Don Port in Quang Ninh. From there, you can catch a high-speed boat either in the early morning or afternoon to travel to the island.
You have two options for taking a boat to the island: You can choose a wooden boat with a price of 160,000 VND per person, which takes around 3 to 4 hours to travel, or you can opt for a high-speed boat priced at 200,000 VND per person, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is recommended to go with the high-speed boat, as although it costs a bit more, it saves you a lot of time during your journey.
To get around on Coto Island, you can rent a motorbike for 150,000 VND per day, a tandem bike for 50,000 VND per session, or if you're in a large group, you may want to rent an electric car for between 600,000 and 800,000 VND for 10 people. (If you want to save costs, renting a tandem bike could be a great option).
For a self-guided trip to Coto Island, you can rent a hotel or choose a homestay (staying with local families). In general, the accommodation prices on Coto Island are quite affordable. If you have a bit more to spend, you can opt for a hotel room costing between 500,000 VND and 700,000 VND per night. For a more budget-friendly option, a homestay is a great choice, especially if you're traveling with a group of 6-8 people, as it will only cost around 60,000 VND per person per night.
Please note that if you're planning to visit Coto during weekends or public holidays, it's essential to book your room in advance to avoid fully booked accommodations or inflated prices. Additionally, if you're traveling with a group of 5-6 people, you can book a hotel room with two beds, which is also a very affordable option!
While staying in Coto, you can enjoy a variety of delicious local dishes, such as mantis shrimp, squid, clams, oysters, sea cucumber, scallops, cockles, and jellyfish salad. There are many beachfront restaurants that offer tasty and affordable meals, and one popular choice among tourists is Thanh Uy Restaurant.
MoC Chau
The endless tea plantations of MoC Chau
Moc Chau has become a familiar destination for Vietnamese tourists. During the April 30th holiday, visitors can immerse themselves in the fresh nature with blooming tea hills, admire the picturesque Dai Yem Waterfall, and explore the mysterious Bat Cave.
April in Moc Chau is the perfect time when the red plum and peach forests are in full bloom, attracting a large number of tourists. The majority of plums are found in Nong Truong town and Tan Lap commune. In these plum orchards, the owners often open their gates, allowing visitors to purchase tickets and pick the ripe, delicious plums themselves. This will surely be an unforgettable experience during your trip to the beautiful Moc Chau plateau.
Located about 100 km from Hanoi, the best mode of transportation for visitors is by bus. However, for the adventurous travelers, motorbikes are an ideal choice to enjoy the scenic beauty along the way while heading to the destination.
Moc Chau offers a variety of accommodations to fit the budget of all travelers. The picturesque and serene landscape of the Northwest region will provide a wonderful experience during your holiday break.
To reach Moc Chau, you can choose to travel by car or embark on an adventurous motorbike journey.
Traveling by motorbike:
For the motorbike route, take the new National Highway 6. The distance from central Hanoi to Moc Chau town is approximately 187 km. You can either head straight through Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan (towards Ha Dong) or take the Lang Hoa Lac Road, continuing along National Highway 6, passing through Xuan Mai – Hoa Binh, then following National Highway 6 through Cao Phong and Mai Chau.
Traveling by bus:
If you'd prefer not to ride a motorbike, you can take a bus to Moc Chau from either My Dinh or Yen Nghia bus stations, heading to Son La, Moc Chau, or Dien Bien. Ticket prices range from 110,000 to 160,000 VND for either a seated or sleeper bus, depending on your choice.
In Moc Chau, to make sightseeing more convenient, you can rent a motorbike. Rental services are available through local hotels or from dedicated motorbike rental shops, with prices starting at 150,000 VND per day (depending on the time of year).
Currently, restaurants are springing up all around Moc Chau. You'll find some in the town center, but many are located on National Route 6, just before entering the town. If you're looking for places nearby, there are also restaurants around the guesthouses and hotels.
Some popular and delicious restaurants in Moc Chau that you can choose from include: Xuan Bac 181, Restaurant 64, and Restaurant 70 Moc Chau, all located along National Route 6.
Moc Chau has three newly built homestays, each with its own unique style, offering stunning aesthetics that are perfect for Instagram, yet come at incredibly affordable prices. These homestays are ideal for the young traveler, marking a significant change for Moc Chau's tourism scene. Notable options include Bơ House, Nhà Ta Homestay, and Moc Chau Arena Village. Additionally, there are numerous budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses available for you to choose from.
Sa Pa
Sapa, with its rolling hills in the distance.
Sa Pa is a beloved tourist destination for most Vietnamese travelers. Known for its cool climate year-round and its breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, Sa Pa is an excellent choice for those looking to enjoy and explore during the upcoming 30/4-1/5 holiday.
Located in the northwest of Vietnam, Sa Pa is about 38 km from Lao Cai city and 370 km from Hanoi. This charming town is the perfect stop for those seeking to connect with nature. Sa Pa is home to several captivating attractions such as: Ham Rong tourist area, Hoang Lien Son mountain, Silver Falls, Cloud Bridge, Cat Cat village, Ta Van village, Ta Phin, and Fansipan.
In particular, don't miss the highland markets in Sa Pa to explore the unique culture of the ethnic people, purchase souvenirs, and enjoy local specialties.
Getting to Sa Pa is very convenient, with options like buses, trains, and even motorbikes for the adventurous traveler. A 3-day, 2-night trip is ideal for visiting Sa Pa, with costs ranging from 1,500,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND per person.
There are many bus companies operating routes from Hanoi to Sa Pa, such as Sao Viet, Sapa Express, and Sao Mai, with a travel time of approximately 5 hours.
You can also reach Sa Pa by motorbike, following the straightforward route from Hanoi - Yen Bai - Lao Cai - Sa Pa. The entire journey is along national highways, making it quite easy to navigate, with a distance of about 390 km.
Taking a train or bus to Lao Cai station and then renting a motorbike to Sa Pa is also a great option. The route from Lao Cai station to Sa Pa is only about 40 km, making the journey quite fast.
In Sa Pa, you can rent a motorbike to explore the area conveniently and it’s a more budget-friendly option.
Sa Pa's accommodation is divided into three main areas: near the lake, the Cau May - Muong Hoa region, and the town center. The most beautiful hotels are located in the Cau May - Muong Hoa area, where most hotels offer stunning views of the hills and the iconic Fansipan peak. Room rates are fairly affordable, ranging from 200,000 VND to 300,000 VND per night. For a more luxurious stay, you can opt for a 3-star hotel in the same area, with prices ranging from 500,000 VND to 700,000 VND.
For travelers who are all about adventure and want to immerse themselves in the unique cultural experience of the local ethnic groups, staying in a homestay in the villages is highly recommended.
To indulge in some of the best and most flavorful dishes of Sapa, you can visit famous restaurants such as A Quỳnh, the Sapa BBQ area, or Red Dao restaurant.
No matter where you decide to go for your vacation, make sure to arrange your flight, transportation, and accommodation in advance to avoid the rush and ensure your plans stay intact.
T.Hai, 15/08/2022 14:32
