Top Hanoi Day Trips

Easy 5 stars. My wife and I were paired with Kom and driver Vivi, with Danny tagging along as a trainee. All were quite knowledgeable about the route, the local flora and agriculture, and the history of the Karen people whose villages we rode through. They went the extra mile to get us a seasonal fruit we’d never heard of called longsat as well as lychee from a roadside stall on our way to the route. At one point Vivi identified some wild mangos and cut them up as trail snacks, and hunted down some mini wild bananas which we tried. The planned snacks included watermelon, bananas (full size) and grilled sticky rice with banana or sweet potato inside (great “energy bar”). Vivi followed us in the car for the whole journey and provided ice cold water/cola as needed, so a very luxurious ride by mountain biking standards. The route itself was 25km of 90% paved roads through beautiful countryside studded with fruit trees, rice paddies, livestock farms and small villages backed by lush green mountains. You definitely need to be in shape to have a good time, but not particularly good at mountain biking. It’s more of a road ride with occasional gravel, the most difficult aspects are tackling the bigger hills in the hot and humid climate, not technical biking. My wife had never mountain biked before and was able to handle it, with the periodic walking break when she got winded. Overall it was an excellent reprieve from the touristy feeling of Chiang Mai’s premier neighborhoods, a great way to experience picturesque countryside and beautiful mountain scenery while breaking a sweat, if you’re into that kind of thing.

I went into this food tour hoping to experience something authentic, and it genuinely exceeded that expectation. It felt less like a “tour” and more like being guided through the city by someone who deeply understands and respects the culture, the food, and the stories behind it. Mai, our guide, was a huge part of what made the experience so meaningful. She brought a grounded, thoughtful presence to the tour—sharing context, history, and personal insight in a way that felt natural and never forced. You could tell she cares deeply about what she does, and that translated into every stop along the way. We moved through small, local spots I never would have found on my own—places that felt lived-in and real. Each dish had intention behind it, and Mai took the time to explain not just what we were eating, but how it connects to daily life in Hanoi. There was a really nice balance of structure and flexibility, which allowed space to slow down, notice, and actually enjoy the experience. What stood out most to me was how grounded and mindful the whole tour felt. It wasn’t rushed or overly polished. It honored the food, the people preparing it, and the environment we were in. I left feeling full, of course, but also more connected—to the city, to its rhythm, and to the experience of being present in a new place. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for something real, intentional, and quietly memorable.

I had an amazing experience on my Ninh Binh excursion in Vietnam! From the very beginning, everything was handled professionally—the tour guide Sunny picked me up right on time from my hotel, which made the day start stress-free. He managed all the activities smoothly and kept everything running on schedule without making it feel rushed. His English was very good, and he provided clear instructions throughout the day, which made the entire experience easy and enjoyable. The lunch buffet was another highlight—there was a wide variety of dishes, including plenty of vegetarian options, and everything was fresh and delicious. The itinerary itself was fantastic, with a great mix of activities including a temple visit, a peaceful bamboo boat ride, a fun bicycle ride, and hiking. It was the perfect balance of sightseeing and adventure. Overall, it was a well-organized and memorable trip. I’d definitely recommend this excursion to anyone visiting Vietnam!

We weren’t sure whether to go to Halong Bay due to time constraints but we were so glad we did the day option as it was so well organised and such a stunning experience. Definitely recommend the speed boat option which was great fun and we got to see most of the bay in half an hour. And experienced the mesmerising sunset on the top deck with a few cocktails. Perfect.

This is a blast! I was a little nervous about the overall riding part but Simone and Thu were amazing drivers and made the experience fun. We went to four different stops, walked around some secluded parts of the city and had so much incredible food. Would have done this again if I could have and definitely request Simone and Thu if you want the best hosts.

Absolutely worthwhile, extremely good value adventure among Ha Long Bay’s gorgeous islets. The 3 stops included kayaking through a cave to an enclosed area with monkeys (row boats available for people with less energy), a guided walk through Surprise Cave and then Titop Island where you can either walk to the viewpoint (about 100m up, lots of steps) to enjoy fabulous views or chill on the beach. The tour itself was very well organized. Our home base was the boat Vera Cruise where we were served a delicious lunch as we left the cruise terminal. Staff were available at all times; beyond the included lunch there was a comprehensive beverage menu. Our guide Quan was great and kept us on track time-wise. The day we went was unusually crowed due to 2 big ships in town that day and the weather was overcast/hazy but we still had a fantastic time.

This tour is perfect for first timers to Hanoi and helps you get aquainted with the city. Guide and driver were exceptional. Lan, our guide, was very good at telling us about each place and was super friendly. She went out of her way to assist us throughout the tour.

Fabulous day. The catamaran was very comfortable with loads of space. The sofa and chairs were great for relaxing. There is a bar and a jacuzzi. Waterslides too, for those who like them. Most of all the guide Xin chào was excellent. He kept us well informed, ran the whole day very professionally. The food on board is also excellent. The coach transfer is comfortable.