The PANO would like to introduce eight destinations near Hanoi to holidaymakers.
Tram Mountain
Located in Phung Chau commune, Chuong My province, the Tram Mountain is about 30 kilometers from Hanoi's center. To admire the amazing view of the Tram Mountain, also known as "stone plateau" near Hanoi, people can ride motorbikes along National Road 6 from 45 minutes to an hour to this place.
This mountain is not too high but interesting with caves, trails winding in valleys and green lawns. It is a favorable place for people to take photos and walk about. The Tram Mountain is suitable for a one-day tour or overnight camping. There are several pagodas nearby such as Tram Pagoda, Vo Vi Pagoda, and Long Tien Pagoda.
The cost of a one-day tour to Tram Mountain is quite cheap, around VND 200,000. If people do not want to bring a lot of things, they can rent essential items such as tents, lamps and stoves from shops at the foot of the Mountain.
Soc Son
Located more than 30 km from central Hanoi, Soc Son district is an amazing choice for a one-day or two-day trip. There are a lot of good nearby places to visit, such as Ham Lon Lake, Thanh Chuong Viet Palace and short stay villas for rent. The most popular activities are camping or BBQ near forests or on lakesides in Soc Son district. Some tourists can go trekking to the Ham Lon peak. It may take them about 2-4 hours depending on their chosen trails.
Visitors to Ham Lon Lake do not have to pay any costs unless they need car parking in local people's houses (VND 15,000 per car) or visit the Thanh Chuong Viet Palace, or rent a house. If they want to rent a villa, you should book early because many people choose Soc Son as their destination for short holidays.
Ba Vi National Park
Located about 50km from Hanoi's center, the Ba Vi National Park has for a long time been known as an ideal destination for a short-term trip. Due to its high terrain, the temperature there is always 3-4 degrees Celsius lower than the average temperature in the city. So it is considered as an ideal place to avoid heat waves. Things attracting a lot of tourists to the Ba Vi National Park are pine forests, an old church built by the French, Thuong (Upper) temple, and the temple dedicated to Uncle Ho. This location is near other tourist attractions such as Thien Son Suoi Nga, Ao Vua, and Tien Sa Lake with a system of streams, waterfalls, and natural pools.
Visitors have to pay an entrance fee of VND 60,000.
Duong Lam ancient village
Duong Lam ancient village, about 45 kilometers from central Hanoi, is a famous Vietnamese ancient village of Hanoi in Son Tay town. People can go there by motorbike, car, or bus. This is one of the ancient Vietnamese villages with more than 950 ancient houses. Most of the houses are made of mud bricks and a special kind of stone, locally called “laterite” as each has many pores and looks like bee hives, and connected by small winding alleys. The village's people still grow wet rice and make traditional handicraft products. In addition, visitors can have a chance to explore how to make sweet soya sauce, peanut candy, and “banh gai” (glutinous rice cake blackened in a concoction of edible leaves). The famous spots in the village include Mong Phu village, Mia pagoda, Ngo Quyen tomb, Phung Hung temple, and Giang Van Minh worship-house.
Visitors have to pay an entrance fee of VND 20,000 for their one-day village tour.
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An old house in Duong Lam ancient village |
Dong Mo Lake
The 200-ha Dong Mo lake at the foot of the Ba Vi Mountain is about 50km west of Hanoi downtown. According to a legend, the place witnessed a fierce battle between the Mountain God of Son Tinh and the Water God of Thuy Tinh to win the heart of Princess My Nuong. Today, Dong Mo Lake is a popular choice for a one-day or two-day trip as visitors can do various outdoor team activities and short picnics there. Dong Mo is also famous for its unique golf course located on the island in the middle of the lake. Visitors, who want to play golf, have to move to the island by canoe.
When visiting to Dong Mo, tourists do not have to pay any fees unless they want to rent canoe, stay in Son Tinh Camp and Phan Thi villa.
Tam Dao
Located about 70 kilometers from the center of Hanoi capital, Tam Dao is known as an ideal weekend destination for Hanoian families. The place has many ancient villas and hotels, as well as modern luxurious resorts, which meet various needs of visitors. The most attracted spots in Tam Dao town are the church, TV tower, Princess of the Forest Temple, and Silver waterfall. If visitors want to explore more, they can participate in trekking trips to the top of the mountain, through the forest to Hell pagoda.
If you go in groups of two or more, a two-day trip may cost some VND 600,000 per one, including fare, motel, and meals.
Cuc Phuong National Park
Late April and early May is the forest butterfly season in Cuc Phuong forest. Coming to Cuc Phuong forest this season, visitors will feel like walking in a fairyland as they see thousands of butterflies. Around 120km from Hanoi, Cuc Phuong forest spread in the three provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa. Cuc Phuong butterflies are of various species, but the most popular is the white one. The ideal time to watch butterflies is on sunny days.
The entrance ticket for the Cuc Phuong National Park is VND 60,000 and VND 30,000 for students.
Dong Cao
Located about 150km from Hanoi, Dong Cao is a pristine landmark in Thach Son commune, Son Dong district, Bac Giang province. This is a good place for all seasons, attracting tourists by its large space with grasslands and fresh air. As an isolated destination, Dong Cao is often suitable for an adventure by motorbike or a short-term picnic. In summer, the grasslands there turn green and change yellow in winter. Due to its location far away from the populous areas, visitors can have an opportunity to see the starry sky at night on sunny days and catch the sun in the next morning.
Tourists should carefully prepare items such as tents, cookware, food and other necessities as there are not any services in a radius of 10km around Dong Cao.
Source: Vnexpress
Translated by Lam Anh