Hosting Friends or Family in Hanoi? Here Are Our Favorite Experiences in Northern Vietnam

One of the best things about living in Hanoi is having an excuse to rediscover Vietnam through the eyes of visiting friends and family. After the initial excitement of airport pickups and introducing everyone to pho and egg coffee, the inevitable question comes:

“So… what should we do while we’re here?”

The good news is that Northern Vietnam offers an incredible mix of culture, nature, food, and adventure—all within a few hours of Hanoi. Whether you’re entertaining grandparents, teenagers, or young children, there’s something for everyone.

Start with Hanoi

Explore the City by Jeep

One of our favorite ways to introduce visitors to Hanoi is with a vintage Jeep tour. It gives guests a chance to see both the famous landmarks and the hidden corners that make the city so special.

You’ll weave through the Old Quarter, pass lakes and French colonial villas, discover tiny alleyways, and stop for street food along the way. Evening tours are especially atmospheric, with Hanoi coming alive after dark.

Take a Street Food Tour

Even people who think they’re “not adventurous eaters” usually end up loving Vietnamese food. A guided food tour removes the guesswork and introduces visitors to classics like pho, bun cha, banh mi, fresh spring rolls, and egg coffee.

Forget the Michelin stars. The best meal in Vietnam is on a tiny plastic stool!

Anthony Bourdain’s profound love for Vietnam

Experience Traditional Water Puppets

This uniquely Vietnamese art form is surprisingly entertaining for all ages and provides a glimpse into the country’s cultural traditions.

Spend an Afternoon Around West Lake

Rent bicycles, enjoy lakeside cafés, visit temples, or simply watch the sunset. It’s one of the most relaxing ways to spend a day in Hanoi.

Easy Day Trips from Hanoi

Ninh Binh: Vietnam’s Hidden Gem

Only two hours from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is often one of the highlights of a trip to Vietnam.

Take a peaceful boat ride through limestone mountains and rice fields in Tam Coc or Trang An, climb Hang Mua for spectacular panoramic views, and cycle through quiet countryside roads dotted with temples and local villages.

It’s beautiful, accessible, and suitable for visitors of almost any age.

Bat Trang Pottery Village

Less than an hour from central Hanoi, Bat Trang offers a fun and creative day out.

Visitors can try their hand at pottery making, browse artisan shops, and enjoy a slower pace away from the city. Children especially love getting messy at the pottery workshops.

Explore Hanoi’s Countryside

Many visitors are surprised to discover banana plantations, farming villages, and peaceful islands along the Red River. A cycling tour offers a glimpse into daily life just minutes from the bustling city center.

Overnight Adventures

Cruise Through Lan Ha Bay

While Ha Long Bay receives most of the attention, we often recommend neighboring Lan Ha Bay for a quieter and more relaxed experience.

Spend a night on a cruise, kayak through limestone karsts, swim in emerald waters, and enjoy sunset views from the deck. It’s an unforgettable experience and one of the easiest ways to escape the city.

Escape to Mai Chau

About three hours from Hanoi, Mai Chau offers rolling rice fields, mountain scenery, and a much slower pace of life.

Visitors can cycle through villages, stay in traditional stilt houses or boutique resorts, and enjoy fresh mountain air. It’s especially popular with families and guests looking for a peaceful getaway.

Discover Sapa

For those who don’t mind a bit more travel, Sapa rewards visitors with spectacular rice terraces, ethnic minority villages, and the chance to take the Fansipan cable car to the highest peak in Indochina.

For Nature Lovers

Cuc Phuong National Park

Vietnam’s oldest national park makes a wonderful escape for families.

Visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, explore jungle trails, and if you’re lucky enough to visit in spring, witness thousands of butterflies filling the forest.

Activities Kids Will Love

If you’re hosting younger visitors, Hanoi has plenty to keep them entertained:

• Pottery workshops in Bat Trang.
• Water puppet performances.
• VinWonders Wave Park and Water Park.
• Ice skating at Royal City.
• Aquariums and indoor play centers.
• Pedal boats around West Lake.

Looking for Something More Adventurous?

For adventurous families with older children, a private car tour through Ha Giang offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Southeast Asia. Towering mountains, winding passes, and traditional villages make this region unlike anywhere else in Vietnam.

A Perfect 10-Day Northern Vietnam Itinerary

Days 1–3: Hanoi

• Jeep tour
• Street food tour
• Water puppet show
• Explore West Lake

Days 4–5: Ninh Binh

• Trang An boat ride
• Hang Mua viewpoint
• Countryside cycling

Days 6–7: Lan Ha Bay cruise

Days 8–10: Mai Chau or Sapa

Living in Hanoi means having access to some of the most incredible destinations in Asia. Whether your guests are visiting for a long weekend or several weeks, Northern Vietnam offers enough experiences to create memories they’ll talk about long after they’ve flown home.

And honestly, sometimes hosting visitors is the perfect excuse to become a tourist in your own city again.