Hanoi sits on the banks of the Song Hong, otherwise known as the Red River. It is a beautiful and bustling city with over one million inhabitants. Colonial French influences can be seen everywhere and many people continue to refer to Hanoi as the Paris of the Orient. The city is very stately, with elegant embassies, sparkling lakes, wide boulevards and, of course, the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh. It has an undeniably European atmosphere, especially in springtime when the trees lining the boulevards are covered with pink blossom.

However, there are also many wonderful experiences to be found just beyond the city perimeters. The day excursions described below will give you the opportunity to explore some interesting areas surrounding Hanoi. You can paddle through rice paddies, soak up floating village culture, marvel at the natural sights of Cuc Phuong National Park, and visit rescued apes.

This trip is ideal for anybody seeking a combination of scenery and activity. Your air-conditioned minibus will leave at 7.30am (approx. 1-2 hours). After the drive, you'll travel further by rowing boat on the Yen River until you reach Thien Tru harbour. The rest of the journey will be on foot, and it will take perhaps another 1½ hours (uphill) to reach the pagoda. The majestic Perfume Pagoda stands in a huge cave at the top of the mountain with commanding views of the landscape below. The altars are secluded among the amazing stalactites and stalagmites. The Pagoda is regarded as the centre of Buddhism in the north and it is impossible not to feel the spiritual atmosphere of the caves.

Every spring, a Perfume Pagoda Festival is held and thousands of pilgrims flock to the incredible caves. The festival lasts for three months. Many writers and poets have also been attracted to this region, drawn by both its spectacular landscape and its religious significance. They have written of the spiritual ambience that engulfs the Pagoda and the enlightening atmosphere of the festival. After walking back down the hillside, you will visit the Thien Tru Pagoda, dubbed 'The pagoda that leads to heaven'. Tired but happy, you'll hop on a boat to Ben Huc where the minibus will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi.     

This trip will give you a quick peek behind the scenes of authentic and traditional Vietnam. Leaving from Hanoi, you'll take a 40 minute bus journey to the Tram Gian Pagoda, otherwise known as the '100-Room Pagoda'. It is situated on the slopes of a mountain amongst tropical pineapple plants and the altars are surrounded by plush greenery. You'll then head for the village of Uoc Le, where you'll be invited to share a cup of tea with the local families. They will proudly tell you all about their village, famous for its delicious grilled meat and its old stone bridges that were built by the Nguyen dynasty in the 18th century. A tasty traditional lunch will be prepared for you in this charming village.

After lunch, you'll continue on to the village of Chuong, famous for its traditional crafts. The villagers here will teach you how to make the iconic Vietnamese hats, which you can take home with you afterwards. Throughout the village, you'll see palm leaves laid out in the sun to bleach to the colour needed for the hats. Finally you'll visit Van Phuc, a village renowned for its silk production. You'll stop by at a small factory to observe the villagers working on the silk. After this, you'll climb aboard the minibus for the trip back Hanoi, arriving at around 4.30pm.

Early in the morning you will head out of Hanoi for Cuc Phuong National Park. The tropical forest here was discovered in 1960 and, soon afterwards, was given national park status, becoming Vietnam’s first national park. Cuc Phuong lies approximately 100km south of Hanoi and is home to a staggering diversity of tree, plant, animal, and bird species. With a little luck you can spot elephants, tigers, deer, squirrels, lizards and snakes. There are also numerous caves in the region, inhabited by around forty species of bats. You'll also visit the 'Old Man’s Cave', in which stone tools and objects made by prehistoric man have been discovered.