From Hanoi, you can board a helicopter, a rented car or a chauffeured minibus to the magical Halong Bay, the scenic hill station of Sa Pa or the effervescent town of Bac Ha. These are some of Vietnam's major attractions that are easily accessible from the capital.
Top on the list is Halong Bay. It is only one hour away on a helicopter ride; that is, if you can afford the price. You can also take a cheaper alternative in the form of a private car rental which will take you there in less than 5 hours or the dirt cheap bus that takes about 8 hours to reach the area depending on the number of stops along the way.
Halong Bay is simply stunning and definitely breathtaking. The view from the shore is already remarkable but a cruise around the bay will blow you away. Imagine cruising through crystal clear emerald lagoons surrounded by thousands of islets and towering karsts formations and you are not even close to capturing the beauty of this UNESCO Heritage Site.
If you want to enjoy the enchanting panorama in serenity, you are better off hiring your very own junk boat. However, if you don't mind the drone of endless chatter, group tour cruises may be the right for choice for you and are quite affordable. The duration of your cruise also depends entirely on you. It can be as short as half a day or as long as two weeks or even a month if you feel like it.
A visit to Cat Ba Island is a must if you are cruising Halong Bay. It is especially recommended for outdoor adventurers. Whether you want to scale the heights of the towering karsts with your hands or your camera, explore the area in a kayak or go for an intense hike, all these and more are possible on the island. There are also scenic beaches on site that are just perfect for those who just want to relax and spend their time basking under the sun.
Sa Pa is another favorite destination outside of Hanoi. Again, you can rent a car, hire a minibus or hop on a train to reach the area. Do take note that if you are taking the train, you will have to disembark at Laocai Station and take a bus or a hired vehicle to Sa Pa. This area was a former French Hill Station whose spectacular scenery draws crowds the whole year round.
Stunning terraces of rice paddies, bamboo forests and ancient stone circles are some of the major attractions in the area. It is also an ideal place to have an insightful look at the cultural heritage of Vietnam's colorful ethnic minorities. The area is most vibrant during market weekends. However, if you want to see a more exciting marketplace, visit the nearby town of Bac Ha on a Sunday. The number of people, the extent of products, the babble of tongues and the pulsating energy combined make up what is possibly the most exhilarating market visit in your life.
Sunee is author of this article on Hotels in Thailand. Find more information about Phuket Hotels here.
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