9 memorable getaways from Hanoi

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the two most populous cities in Vietnam. While Ho Chi Minh City can be characterized as the commercial and business hub of the country, Hanoi retains much of its cultural heritage of the country inspired by its great leader late Ho Chi Minh. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and one can observe the traditional lifestyle that still exists in many parts of the city. The city is located in the northern region of Vietnam and is close to many picturesque places. It is situated in the Red River Delta and is less than 100 km from the coastal area of the South China Sea. A day trip or an overnight stay in Ha Long Bay is one memorable experience that visitors would cherish for many years to come. A day trip to take a sampan ride on the tranquil Hoang Long River in Tam Coc is difficult to ignore.

It would be an excellent idea to squeeze some extra time from your busy itinerary and make two to three days gateway to Sapa Valley in the north-west Vietnam. The breathtaking beauty of the cloud wrapped mountains surrounding a sleepy town with constant touch of mist will rekindle the romantic yesteryears of any couple. Whether it is watching the tribal dance in the Cat Cat village, or climbing the mystique Dragon Mountain and watching the picturesque Sapa town below emerging from the rolling clouds, is worth spending two extra days. And one can also supplement the trip with a thrilling experience of paragliding in Doi Bu Mountain just outside the Hanoi city limit. And believe it or not, all these could be packaged in a single trip to discover this beautiful city of Hanoi and its surroundings.