This is David from Hanoi Eco Tour team, who has been working 10 years as an English speaking guide in the Hanoi area. I know that lots of you are looking for traveling Hanoi off the beaten track but other articles don’t provide enough information or it isn’t up to date.
For example, train street has been closed since Oct 12, 2019 and it used to be a very touristy place with tons of cafes. In order to become the top article that provides down to earth information about traveling off the beaten path n Hanoi, written by a local Hanoian who has been living in the city for years and writes from personal travel experiences by visiting tons of places near Hanoi
This walking tour of Hanoi hidden gem is to take you to city best kept secret spots with all local experience and be away from tourist trail like any others tour company in Hanoi. Starts with a less well-known markets where locals sell bonsai, flowers and plants. Navigate in small alleys to reach B52 Lake where US Air Craft had been shot down during the Vietnam war.
Then experience chaotic local food market with tons of fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and seafood. Then head to green lung of the city called Hanoi Botanical Garden where locals go for morning exercise, children hanging out with their parents and so on.
Have authentic Vietnamese lunch at Pho Cuon restaurant and have local beer called Truc Bach. This trip is perfect for couples and photographers with scenic view and local life. For example, old Long Bien bridge built in the late 19th century, Cua Bac church, West lake of Hanoi, Bonsai market, Phan Dinh Phung street with tree-lined along the sidewalk
The best way to learn a deeper understanding of local living is to travel in rural Hanoi and get involved in their daily life activities, how they work, cook, eat and play and learn practical farming experience like plowing the field with cow, a fun thing to do, especially family with kids; transplanting baby rice by hand to understand how hard lives of Vietnamese rice farmers is.
Back home to cook with the host family and learn secret recipes how to cook yummy local foods. Then head for a bike ride along the village path and see what’s happening every day in the village. We recommend this farm tour for family with kids, couples and groups of friends.
Read more : Hanoi Wet rice farm day tour
Bac Son valley is now a new rising destination with amazing landscapes, friendly hill tribe Tay ethnic group, off the beaten track with very few tourists. If traveling in rice harvest season either June or Oct, you can’t believe how beautiful it is. Photographers should miss the chance to shoot amazing photos of endless rice paddies fields, mountains and villages.
On the other hand, don’t forget to check out local primary schools and brick factory where you can meet and interact with locals
We recommend taking an overnight stay in a homestay in Bac Son valley.
If you have more than two days, trek through hidden villages untouched by tourism with a local guide
Just 3.5 hours drive from Hanoi, Cuc Phuong national park is renowned as Vietnam largest national park with over 22.000 hectares of rain forest and a diversity of fauna and fauna in Vietnam.
3.5 hours drive from Hanoi, located in Nam Dinh province, Xuan Thuy national park known as a great escape day trip from bustling Hanoi. It it home to 200 bird spices, 500 species of benthos and zooplankton, 10 aquatic plant species.
During 3.5 hours drive from Hanoi, check out Cho Rong (Dragon market), the most well-known whole sale market in Nam Dinh town and Vi Khe bonsai village with various shapes
Taking a boat ride among mangroves trees along the side, have lunch in a clam hut with fresh seafood and enjoy cool breeze, rustic beauty of river, clam field, rowing local boat makes you feel like traveling in a place in only in Discovery channel.
After boat ride, check out a great point where the Red river meets the sea.
Read more : Xuan Thuy national park day tour
If you get rid of mass tourism, Bai Tu Long will be the choice for an overnight cruise stay. The bay itself offers great view from limestone karst mountain with fewer tourists. There is a unique route departs from Van Don port is truly off the beaten track with a few tour companies operating.
You take part in fun activities like kayaking, caving, swimming and so on. It is worth for a day trip. Overnight stay in Quan Lan island
Read more : Bai Tu Long day tour from Hanoi
It is located on the outskirts of Hanoi, about 60 km west of Hanoi and also known as a museum of laterite, home to many houses dating back up to 400 years. One special thing about the village is that most of the buildings here are made of laterite and mud, two abundant materials in the area. The village has also been described as northern Vietnam’s last stronghold of wet rice farming culture.
You’ll explore local temples, ancient houses over 400 years old, Catholic church and enjoy yummy local foods, all makes it unique experience to a rural village of Vietnam
Read more : Duong Lam ancient village day tour from Hanoi
Top 3 village tours near Hanoi
We hope this article to find a good Hano off the beaten track day trip, away from the tourist trail. Please share your thoughts in the comment box below or email us at info@hanoiecotour.com . We would love to hear from you.