Optional tours from Hanoi

International airport in Vietnam includes Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, Danang airport and Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City. If you arrange Vietnam visa on arrival, it is a must to get the visa done at one of these mentioned airport. In case, you come to Hanoi, there are few things that we would like to let you know:

Noi Bai airport - Hanoi is around 30km, it takes 30 minutes by car. You can ask your hotel in Hanoi, travel agent in Hanoi to arrange pick-up. Taxi and public bus are available there.

At the airport, there is travel agent to book your travel service like tours, airfares, transfers, etc. You can see some banks in Vietnam there where you can have money exchanged.

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam with more than 1000 years old. In Hanoi, there are a lot of things to do such as Hanoi city tour, including visits to Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temple of literature, Hoa Lo prison, museums, water puppet show, cyclo ride or walking street food tour which are so interesting.

If you have more time to spend in Hanoi, we would like to suggest the following optional tours:

1. A day trip to Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is a picturesque province in the south of Hanoi (100m) and has long been known as Halong bay on land or rice fields, including several tourist attractions like Hoa Lu ancient capital, Tam Coc caves, Trang An grottoes, Van Long Natural Reserve, Cuc Phuong national park, etc. The drive from Hanoi to Ninh Binh takes around 2 hours so a day trip to Ninh Binh can be the perfect optional tour from Hanoi.

2. Perfume Pagoda
This is a scenic and holy place in Vietnam, located in Hanoi, around 60km from Hanoi's old quarter. Visiting Perfume pagoda, tourists will enjoy one hour boat trip, another walk to holy cave and learn about Vietnamese spiritual life, culture and religion.

3. Duong Lam ancient village
The first recognised ancient village in Vietnam where tourists will see old houses, temples, pagodas and how Vietnamese people live over centuries. Duong Lam village can take half day, but it is great ideal to combine with other sites such as Thay Pagoda, Tay Phuong pagoda or VietNam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Dong Mo.

4. Mai Chau
120km from Hanoi, Mai Chau valley is highly recommended destination for tourists who want to experience homestay, cycling trip through rice paddy fields or learn about unique life and culture of the White Thai ethnic group. 1 day tour to Mai Chau is possible, but we recommend 2 day - 1 night tour.

Homestay in Mai Chau is clean and comfortable, but it may not be good enough with some of you. In this case, book Mai Chau ecolodge for comfort. This ecolodge has private room with swimming pool, best choice for family with kids.

5. Halong Bay
The world natural heritage in Vietnam is around 165km from Hanoi and it takes 3,5 hours by car. Halong is a must place to visit so go for this optional tour with no hesitation. 1 day tour to Halong bay is possible, but you will spend around 7 hours of driving, 4 hour boat trip. It is too tiring. Vivutravel suggests that you go for 2 day or 3 day tour with overnight stay on boat which is the best way to see the beauty of Halong bay.