Day Trips
West Lake (Hồ Tây) Hanoi: Trấn Quốc Pagoda, Sunsets, Cycling and Where to Eat
A guide to West Lake, Hanoi's biggest lake: Trấn Quốc Pagoda, Quán Thánh and Phủ Tây Hồ, the best sunset spots, cycling the loop, shrimp cakes, and the cafés of Quảng An.
Vietnam Weather in Winter: North vs Central vs South (December to February)
Vietnam is three climates in one country. What winter (December–February) is really like in Hanoi, Sapa, Huế, Đà Nẵng, Ho Chi Minh City and Phú Quốc, and how to plan around it.
Tết 2027: Dates for Vietnamese New Year and What Visitors Should Know
Tết 2027 falls on Saturday, February 6 (Year of the Goat), with an official 7-day holiday from February 4 to 10. What closes, how prices and transport change, and how to enjoy it as a visitor.
Sapa in November and December: Cold, Clouds and What to Pack
Visiting Sapa in November or December: real temperatures, frost on Fansipan, what the rice terraces look like, how to get there from Hanoi, and how to stay warm in a homestay.
Ninh Bình Day Trip from Hanoi: Tràng An or Tam Cốc, Getting There and a Realistic Plan
How to do a Ninh Bình day trip from Hanoi in 2026: bus, train or tour, Tràng An vs Tam Cốc boat rides, the Hang Múa climb, what to eat, and a timeline that works.
Hanoi Weather by Month: What Each Season Really Feels Like
A month-by-month guide to Hanoi's weather from someone who lives there: temperatures, rain, humidity, the damp 'nồm' season, summer storms, and the best months to visit.
Hanoi to Huế: Flight, Overnight Train or Sleeper Bus? Times and Trade-Offs
How to get from Hanoi to Huế in 2026: flights of about 1 hour 15 minutes, the overnight sleeper train, sleeper buses, what each feels like, and when to visit Huế.
Hanoi Old Quarter Guide: Streets, Weekend Walking Zone, Markets and What to Skip
A local guide to Hanoi's Old Quarter in 2026: how the 'Hàng' streets work, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the weekend walking streets, night market, Đồng Xuân market, beer street, and how to avoid the tourist traps.
Hanoi in November: Weather, What to Wear and What's Actually Worth Doing
Hanoi in November 2026: typical temperatures, the first cold fronts, what to pack, milk flower and daisy season, air quality, and food that tastes better in the cool.
Hanoi in December: Weather, Christmas, New Year's Eve and What to Pack
Hanoi in December 2026: real temperatures and cold snaps, Christmas on Hàng Mã and at the cathedral, New Year's Eve by the lake, what to wear and what to eat.
Hạ Long Bay from Hanoi: Day Trip or Overnight Cruise? Distance, Time and Honest Tips
Planning Hạ Long Bay from Hanoi: how far it is, how long it takes, day trip vs overnight cruise, Lan Hạ Bay as a quieter option, seasons and weather, and how to choose a boat.