Saturday, April 11, 2026

Escape Hanoi hustle to these nature havens

Hanoi travel - Hanoi is a vibrant and bustling capital city, but sometimes, we all need a break from the hustle and bustle to reconnect with nature, explore new places, or simply relax and unwind. Fortunately, there are many attractive destinations around Hanoi, perfect for short weekend getaways or short vacations. Here are 4 must-see destinations near Hanoi that many people love to visit for a short time. Each location has its own unique characteristics, offering memorable experiences for visitors.


Son Tinh Camp (Dong Mo, Hanoi)

Son Tinh Camp, located in Dong Mo, is situated within the grounds of the Vietnam National Ethnic Culture Village. Nestled on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by Dong Mo Lake, deep within a pristine forest, it has long been a favorite picnic spot for families due to its fresh air and close connection with nature.

With an entrance fee of 30,000 VND per person: You will be free to visit Son Tinh Camp and participate in the games available at the camp such as stilt walking in tin cans, blindfolded pot smashing.

At Son Tinh Camp, both parents and children will be immersed in a spacious, cool natural environment, a stark contrast to the dusty, crowded city. The whole family can participate in nature exploration activities such as boating, bird watching, fruit picking, campfires, and more. Additionally, you can take your children to visit the ethnic minority cultural village to learn more about the different ethnic groups of Vietnam.

At Son Tinh Camp, families can especially enjoy a BBQ party. While the moms grill the food, the kids can run around on the grass, the dads can go fishing, or sip coffee. This makes for a fantastic weekend getaway for the whole family!

Ecopark

Ecopark, located in southeastern Hanoi, is a popular destination for families looking for a day trip. You can choose to travel to Ecopark by motorbike or taxi. Additionally, the urban area offers convenient free bus services from downtown Hanoi to Ecopark.

Here, you can immerse yourself in the lush greenery of Spring Park and Summer Park, and there's even a dedicated playground for children called Kolorado. Additionally, you can enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, tennis, and cycling at the clubhouses within the urban area.

When you're tired from playing and want to rest and eat, there are plenty of restaurants offering a wide variety of dishes from different culinary cultures, as well as many cafes with stunning views waiting for you to choose from.

If you have free time, the whole family can stop by Bat Trang pottery village and Dong Du guava orchard nearby for further sightseeing, fun, and exploration. Besides that, places like Nom Pagoda, Sung Phuc Zen Monastery, Xuan Quan and Phung Cong flower villages, and the Chu Dong Tu - Tien Dung Temple will also attract you to visit…

Thien Son - Suoi Nga (Ba Vi)

Thien Son - Suoi Nga Eco-tourism Area is located 60 km west of Hanoi, on the eastern side of the Ba Vi mountain range, also known as Tan Vien mountain. This area preserves the legend of King Hung's selection of sons-in-law, a contest of strength and skill between Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh. The tourist area comprises three sections: Ha Son at the foot of the mountain, Trung Son halfway up, and Ngoa Son at the summit - the starting point of the famous Cong Troi waterfall.

The air here is cool year-round, especially in summer. Thien Son - Suoi Nga is home to many rare animals such as civets, deer, pythons, monkeys, and birds like starlings and parrots, along with a system of picturesque streams and waterfalls, creating ideal conditions for this area to be recognized as a special tourist destination..

Along the cliffside, a row of stilt houses, designed with vines enveloping them, covers the tiled roofs and walls completely. During the flowering season, the entire row of stilt houses seems to burst into bloom, bathed in a kaleidoscope of colors. These stilt houses are also known by the beautiful name "Viewing Pavilion." You can sit in the viewing pavilion, relax, listen to the birds chirping amidst the cool, pleasant air, or take a swan boat ride on the lake nestled among the mountains.

To fully appreciate the beauty of Thien Son Suoi Nga, take a stroll from Ha Son to Trung Son. Walking along the mountainside for about 1.5 km, you'll hear the lush green trees along the way, listen to the birds singing, the streams babbling, and pass through beautiful stretches of sparse forest. Thien Son Suoi Nga also features a swimming pool and an artificial waterfall, located within the resort complex in the Trung Son area.

Trung Son area is a popular stop for tourists to rest and have lunch. You can rent a spot in the stilt houses for convenient rest and meals at a very reasonable price (around 50,000 VND a table). In addition, there are also mountain and seafood specialties to suit different tastes. Tourists can choose dishes that suit them.

Yen So Park

Located at the southern gateway and considered a green lung of the capital, Yen So Park (Hoang Mai District, Hanoi) officially opened to the public free of charge from the afternoon of April 4th.

As the largest urban park in Vietnam and Hanoi's largest green space, Yen So Park covers a total area of 323 hectares. Since its opening, it has featured numerous structures such as an art exhibition hall, boathouse, outdoor theater, maze garden, cultural village, and many other landscaped areas.

With its fresh air, Yen So Park is increasingly attracting visitors for recreation and relaxation, especially on weekends and holidays. Here, you can also rent boats, bicycles, tents, and even BBQ grills to organize a truly enjoyable picnic.

Source: https://hanoitraveltour.com/blog/weekend-getaways-near-hanoi-worth-exploring.htm

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