Hey friends 👋, we're Liam & Sarah from Two Peas Abroad!

We've been living in Hanoi since 2023 and love getting out of the city when we can. Whether you're craving mountains, rivers, rice fields, or caves - these are our top picks for epic day (and overnight) escapes.

Looking for the best things to do inside Hanoi instead? Check out our tried-and-tested Hanoi day tours here.

Only Doing One Day Trip from Hanoi? Here's Our Pick...

If we could only do one? It'd be Ninh Binh's Best Day Tour.

This one hits everything: ancient capital vibes at Hoa Lu, a peaceful rowboat ride in Trang An, epic views from Hang Mua (yes, with all the stairs 😅), and dreamy riverside scenes in Tam Coc. It's basically Vietnam's best scenery - all in one day.

Book the Ninh Binh Day Tour

🔍 Quick Comparison

TripPriceTimeHighlights
Ninh Binh Day Tour$8-11hHoa Lu, Trang An, Tam Coc, Hang Mua
Ha Long Bay Day Cruise$4-13hThien Cung Cave, boat, seafood lunch
Sapa 2D1N (car)$$$2DHill tribes, rice terraces, homestay
Hoa Lu - Tam Coc$10hAncient capital, rice fields, river boat
Ba Vi Eco Tour$$$9hTea tasting, national park, nature
Sapa 2D1N + Fansipan$$$2DCable car or hike, mountain views

Best Overall: 🚣 Ninh Binh Day Tour

Duration: 8-11 hours
Includes: Hotel pickup, lunch, caves, mountain hike, boat

This is the tour we'd send our best friends on. A little bit of everything: temples, boats, hikes, rice paddies, and jaw-dropping views - all just a couple hours outside of Hanoi.

👉 View Ninh Binh Tour

Best for Ocean Lovers: 🌊 Ha Long Bay Day Cruise

Duration: 4-13 hours
Includes: Hotel pickup, boat, cave, seafood lunch

If you're skipping the overnight cruise, this day trip gives you a solid Ha Long experience - cave walk, cruise, and buffet lunch on the bay.

👉 Check Cruise Options

Best Mountain Escape: 🏔️ Sapa 2D1N with Bus

Duration: 2 days
Includes: Sleeper bus, meals, trekking, local guide

Sapa in 2 days is the perfect mini-adventure. Local villages, dramatic landscapes, and cozy mountain vibes. It's a longer escape - but so worth it.

👉 View Sapa Tour

Best Budget Option: 🚤 Hoa Lu - Tam Coc Day Trip

Duration: 10 hours
Includes: Hotel pickup, ancient capital, river boat ride

Same peaceful scenery as the full Ninh Binh trip - just shorter and more affordable. Great if you're on a tighter budget or just want a chill escape.

👉 See Tour Details

Best for Peace & Nature: 🌿 Ba Vi Eco Tour

Duration: 9 hours
Includes: Tea plantation, forest walk, local guide

A slower-paced day surrounded by nature. Less touristy than Ninh Binh or Ha Long, and ideal for relaxing in the countryside.

👉 Check Ba Vi Tour

Best for Summit Chasers: 🚡 Sapa 2D1N with Fansipan Cable Car

Duration: 2 days
Includes: Town visit, Fansipan summit (or Ham Rong)

Want that iconic "top of Vietnam" photo? Take the world's longest cable car up Fansipan, or opt for a scenic hike up Ham Rong instead.

👉 Book Fansipan Tour

Still Can't Decide?

  • Want epic nature + temples + boats? Ninh Binh Day Tour
  • Want ocean views and caves? Ha Long Bay Day Cruise
  • Want cool weather + rice terraces? Sapa 2D1N
  • Want a budget escape near Hanoi? Hoa Lu - Tam Coc
  • Prefer quiet greenery? Ba Vi Eco Tour
  • Want mountain-top selfies? Sapa + Fansipan

Final Thoughts

We've done all these day trips ourselves - and honestly, they're all bangers. Whether you're craving an escape into the wild, a mountain retreat, or a river ride through rice fields, Hanoi has a day trip to match your vibe.

Choose the one that excites you most, and enjoy the ride 🚐

Need help picking the perfect day trip?

DM us on Instagram @two_peas_abroad and tell us your vibe. We'll help you pick the best tour 🤓

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