Hot Pot with Crab and Herb Soup – a Tasty Treat near the Chua Thay and Tinh Hoa Bac Bo Show
A vibrant scene from the Tinh Hoa Bac Bo show. Image credit: THBB
Tinh Hoa Bac Bo is an immersive live show that has been captivating audiences for 8 years in the Quoc Oai district. With a cast of over 200 professional and amateur local performers, the show blends modern and creative styles to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Hong River delta – the historical cultural epicenter of Northern Vietnam. This spectacular performance is suitable for audiences of all ages. Ring in the New Year with their special performance on the evening of January 1st, 2025, which will be followed by a dazzling fireworks display.
Suggested itinerary:
– 11 am: Depart from Hanoi and indulge in a delicious crab hot pot in Hoa Lac. This culinary destination is located 35 km from the city center via the Lang – Hoa Lac Expressway (CT03). Recommended restaurant: Lau Cua Khong Ten, Phu Binh.
– 3 pm: Visit Chua Thay, an ancient temple with a millennium of history
– 5 pm: Arrive at the Tinh Hoa Bac Bo venue to collect your tickets
– 5:30 pm – 6 pm: Participate in the “Gentle Love Words” workshop, where you can create and exchange heartfelt messages with your loved ones.
– 6 pm – 7:30 pm: Immerse yourself in the rustic charm of a Northern Vietnamese village market, complete with traditional folk art performances such as Cheo, Hat Ro, folk comedy, and Quan Ho love duets.
– 7:30 pm – 8:45 pm: Be mesmerized by the Tinh Hoa Bac Bo show
– 9 pm: Return to Hanoi.
Ninh Binh – A Gastronomic Adventure with Mountain Goat Specialties
Unwind amidst the serene beauty of Tuyet Tinh Coc in Ninh Binh. Image credit: Linh Huong
Ninh Binh, located just 90 km from Hanoi with a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes via the Phap Van – Cau Gie Expressway and Ninh Binh Expressway (CT01), is an ideal day trip destination. It boasts stunning scenery, delectable cuisine, and excellent services. Visitors can choose to explore Trangan – Bai Dinh – Tuyet Tinh Coc or Hang Mua for a refreshing start to the new year.
Suggested itinerary:
– 7 am: Depart from Hanoi to Trangan.
– 9 am: Embark on a boat tour of Trangan. At the ticket office, you’ll receive information about three different routes, each offering unique destinations to cater to your preferences.
– 12:30 pm: Savor the local specialty of mountain goat meat at restaurants in Ninh Binh city or near the Trangan scenic complex. Recommended eateries include De Chinh Thu, De Nui Thanh Long, Hoang Giang, and Xuan Vinh.
– 3 pm: Relax and stroll around Tuyet Tinh Coc (also known as Am Tien Cave). This tranquil spot, nestled by a lake, offers a peaceful escape from the crowds typically found at other Ninh Binh attractions. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk of over 1 km around the lake and unwind by its shores.
Alternatively, you may opt to visit Bai Dinh Temple or Hang Mua, depending on your interests.
– 4:30 pm: Head back to Hanoi.
Camping and Barbecue Fun at Ba Vi National Park
Camping amidst the lush nature of Ba Vi National Park. Image credit: Tien Dung
Located in the northwest of Hanoi, Ba Vi National Park borders Son Tay town and the provinces of Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, and Vinh Phuc. Blessed with a diverse ecosystem and an abundance of flora and fauna, Ba Vi offers a myriad of natural attractions, including mountains, forests, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and renowned scenic spots.
Suggested itinerary:
8 am: Depart from Hanoi via the Lang – Hoa Lac Expressway. The distance is approximately 60 km, and the travel time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
9:30 am: Purchase your ticket to Ba Vi National Park and explore the captivating cactus garden.
10:30 am: Set up camp at the 400-meter elevation area. Here, you can avail of comprehensive camping and catering services. For those interested in an overnight camping experience, advance registration with the national park is required. Enjoy a barbecue lunch at your campsite.
3 pm: Hike up to the 600-meter elevation and continue on to the summit, where you’ll find the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the ruined church.
4:30 pm: Return to Hanoi.
Other recommended camping spots with full services include Dong Mo Ecotrip, Trang Thieu – Ham Lon (combined with mountain climbing), Cong Vien Yen So (with Super Karting racing), and Son Tinh Camp.
A Culinary Journey through Hai Phong and Do Son
The iconic Banh Mi Que of Hai Phong. Image credit: Ha Mai
Hai Phong has long been a popular destination for holidays and weekends, especially for food enthusiasts. This vibrant city offers a plethora of delicious specialties, including crab noodle soup, Banh Mi Que, seafood hot pot, crab spring rolls, fermented pork sausage, spicy fish vermicelli, steamed rice cakes, fried sea cockles, coconut coffee, crushed coconut, steamed rice cakes with mung bean, chrysanthemum tea, and sizzling pancakes. Hai Phong is easily accessible from Hanoi by car, motorbike, or train.
Suggested itinerary:
6:30 am: Depart from Hanoi via the Hanoi – Hai Phong Expressway (CT04). The travel time is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
8:30 am: Start your day with a bowl of crab noodle soup, Hai Phong’s signature dish, and a cup of chrysanthemum tea near the city’s Opera House.
9:30 am: Explore some of the city’s beautiful French colonial architecture, including the Opera House, Hai Phong Railway Station, Hai Phong Museum, Central Post Office, and the People’s Committee Headquarters.
11 am: Treat yourself to a delicious bowl of bun nem cua be (noodles with crab spring rolls) on Cat Cut Street, and don’t forget to buy some Banh Mi Que to take back to Hanoi or enjoy on the spot.
1 pm: Head to Do Son, Hai Phong’s famous beach resort, just 16 km away, and soak in the seaside atmosphere. You can relax at a seaside café, sip coconut coffee, or indulge in crushed coconut, a local specialty.
4 pm: On your way back to the city, stop by Cat Bi Market, a food lover’s paradise offering a vast array of traditional delicacies at affordable prices, with most dishes costing around 10,000 VND. The market is at its liveliest in the afternoon.
6 pm: Return to Hanoi, or stay a little longer to enjoy a seafood hot pot before heading back after 8 pm.
Soothing Hot Spring Baths and Local Delicacies
Relaxing herbal hot spring bath. Image credit: Ohayo Onsen
Thanh Thuy district in Phu Tho province and Hoa Binh province are renowned for their hot spring baths, especially during the chilly winter months. These destinations offer a soothing and enjoyable experience.
Suggested itinerary:
7 am: Depart from Hanoi and drive towards the northwest. After reaching the end of the Lang – Hoa Lac Expressway (CT03), continue for another 35 km to reach Thanh Thuy.
9 am: Check into a hot spring bath facility. Thanh Thuy offers a range of options, from budget-friendly to upscale, as well as Japanese-style onsen baths. Entrance fees range from 100,000 VND to 900,000 VND per person.
Note: It is important to eat a hearty breakfast, stay hydrated, and bring water with you to the hot springs. Light snacks are recommended during your visit.
1 pm: Indulge in local specialties such as river fish, mountain goat meat, free-range chicken, wild boar, bamboo-tube rice, and fermented meat. Recommended restaurants include Dung Rau, Vu Gia, Oanh Beo, Binh Coi, and Thanh Cong.
3 pm: On your way back to Hanoi, stop by the Vietnam Ethnic Culture Museum. This cultural hub showcases the traditions and lifestyles of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Here, you can gain insights into their diverse cultures and participate in various activities.
5 pm: Return to Hanoi.
Alternative options: Serena Resort in Hoa Binh or Onsen and Jjimjilbang spas in Hanoi, located on Khuat Duy Tien Street and in the Phuong Dong Asahi complex in Co Nhue.
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