Green “healing” destinations on hot summer days near Hanoi capital

The Red River stone beach with flower garden is a popular check-in spot for young people. (Photo: The Dai/ Vietnam+)

When the sudden summer showers are not enough to dispel the hot city, a green destination that can “heal” all the lethargy and busyness of work is what everyone wants to find.

Sometimes it can be a rocky beach by the river with strong winds, clear views and fragrant flower beds; it can also be a “town in the clouds,” a hot mineral spring, or a remote, wild, cool island… But wherever it is, it is a resting place to help you soothe the hot summer days.

Red River rock beach

Located along the riverbank, in Nhat Tan ward, Tay Ho district, Hanoi , the Red River rock beach is a suitable place for groups of young people, families, or those who want to return to a fresh natural space without having to go far.

This place is considered by young people as a place for entertainment and reunion that should not be missed if you only go for a day with a series of interesting experiences from checking in and taking virtual photos in the middle of a colorful flower garden to picking strawberries, sliding on grass, sliding on inflatable tubes, rowing on the river, playing with animals such as horses, rabbits...

In addition, this area also provides camping services, enjoying BBQ parties on site... helping visitors conveniently sightsee, enjoy the breeze or gather to eat and drink with friends and relatives and relax together in a poetic space.

Experience with pets at the Red River rock beach. (Photo: PV/ Vietnam+)

On the rocky beach grounds, there are also many types of flowers that change with the seasons, along with beautiful check-in corners for visitors to comfortably take pictures. It is worth mentioning that this rocky beach in the center of the capital has become an attractive destination because the services and experiences here are all affordable, suitable for many subjects from students, workers to families.

The entrance fee here is 70,000 VND/adult; 50,000 VND/senior; 50,000 VND/child from 80-120cm tall and 30,000 VND/child under 80cm tall. After 6pm every day, the entrance fee is reduced to 30,000 VND/adult and 10,000 VND/child.

If you do not have a private car, you can choose to travel by public transport such as bus, with many bus routes and stops passing through the Red River rock beach area such as 13, 31, 33, 41, 55, 58 depending on the starting point.

The best time of day to come here is early in the morning when the dawn breaks, or in the afternoon after 3-4 o'clock when the sunset falls, covering the whole space with a brilliant sunset.

Cool, peaceful green space at the Red River stone beach.

Tam Dao "Town in the clouds"

Located at an altitude of more than 900 m above sea level, with a cool climate all year round, Tam Dao National Tourist Area (Vinh Phuc Province) is especially interesting, because no matter what season you come here, you can enjoy the climate of 4 seasons in one day.

Tam Dao possesses a mountainous landscape and many new constructions with European architectural style, making it a suitable destination for short weekend getaways. Here, the summer temperature is always 4-5 degrees Celsius lower than Hanoi, the highest is usually 27-28 degrees Celsius. Therefore, Tam Dao attracts a large number of tourists and backpackers to escape the heat.

In addition to entertainment areas and tourist attractions, Tam Dao town also "causes nostalgia" with local dishes and specialties such as stir-fried chayote shoots, raw beef with ants, grilled hill chicken wrapped in clay, wild boar meat, black sticky rice...

To travel from Hanoi, visitors can go to Tam Dao in just 2 hours by car, private motorbike, bus, limousine, taxi also shuttles Hanoi - Tam Dao (round trip ticket about 200,000 - 300,000 VND/person). This route is about 50 km along National Highway 2, then 24 km along National Highway 2B and finally nearly 13 km of mountain pass to the town center. Because the road from the foot of the mountain uphill is winding, with many bends, if traveling by motorbike, visitors should choose a manual transmission to ensure more safety.

Tam Dao in the mist. (Photo: Contributor/ Vietnam+)

In Tam Dao town, if you do not have a means of transportation, local people always have a motorbike rental service available, priced at 150,000 - 250,000 VND/day depending on the type.

Hot spring bath, village stay

Kim Boi hot spring resort is located in Mo Da hamlet, Ha Bi commune, Kim Boi district, Hoa Binh province, about 70km from Hanoi. Kim Boi mineral water emerges from limestone with a geological age of about 250 million years, when exposed the water has a temperature of about 34-36 degrees Celsius.

Scientists assess that this water source has the most stable chemical composition, creating ideal conditions for health recovery, helping to treat arthritis, intestinal diseases, stomach diseases, blood pressure, etc.

The mineral bath service here is equipped with a standard system to serve tourists, with personal whirlpool baths, large whirlpool baths, yin-yang baths or jet baths... The entrance fee to Kim Boi Hot Mineral Spring Resort is only about 180,000 VND/person.

After experiencing health therapy with Kim Boi hot mineral water, visitors can visit nearby Mai Chau (Hoa Binh) to immerse themselves in the life of the Thai, Dao, Mong people, admire the mountains in the early morning mist, and the fruit fields surrounding the houses.

Mai Chau cuisine. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+)

Mai Chau is beautiful in every season in its own way, especially the landscape changes throughout the summer. May and June are the rice harvest seasons, the golden color of ripe rice covers the entire valley; July is the water pouring season; August and October are the best seasons to enjoy the cool autumn weather and the honey-like sunlight pouring over the vast rice fields of Mai Chau...

To experience the local cultural identity, you should definitely not miss the 700-year-old stilt houses in Ban Lac, where you can easily see the images of mothers and grandmothers spinning yarn, weaving brocade, or the other half of the world carving bows and arrows, knife handles...

Enjoy Thai and Mong specialties such as bamboo rice, wild boar meat, bitter bamboo shoots, grilled stream fish... If you like shopping for cute little handicrafts, visit Pom Coong village.

If you want to enjoy the taste of a slow pace of life, without the hustle and bustle of commerce, you should visit Tong Dau, Cha Long... to calm down and feel more because the people here still mainly practice agriculture.

A corner of Bakhan Village Resort seen from above. (Photo: Ho Ha/Vietnam+)

If you love peace, you can choose homestays such as A Pao Homestay, Y Mua, Y Sao... near the cloud hunting spot Hang Kia - Pa Co, and are often located in villages with green tea hills and plum gardens.

Ban Lac has many homestays for tourists to choose from, including Little Mai Chau, located away from the tourist area, in a peaceful space. More upscale, Mai Chau gathers many famous resorts, located in harmony with nature such as Mai Chau Ecolodge, Avana Retreat, Bakhan Village Resort, Mai Chau Onsen, Mai Chau Hideaway...

'Green Pearl' wild

Quan Lan Island (Van Don District, Quang Ninh) is located in Bai Tu Long Bay, an attractive destination thanks to its beautiful, pristine landscape, clear blue water, and long, gently sloping white sand beaches. This green gem in the heart of the Gulf of Tonkin is located in the bay, so the sea route to the island is usually without big waves, and the travel time is short, so visitors do not have to worry about seasickness.

To get to Quan Lan Island, visitors need to travel to Quang Ninh, then go by road to Hon Gai wharf, Ha Long city or Cai Rong port, Van Don district. If you do not drive yourself from Hanoi, you can take a limousine or bus to Ha Long or Cua Ong, Cam Pha at My Dinh or Giap Bat bus stations (150,000-200,000 VND/way). Travel time is nearly 4 hours.

Hanoi children enjoy experiencing "pets" on Quan Lan Island. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)

The journey from the port to the island by speedboat takes about 45 minutes. Departing from Cai Rong port will help you shorten the travel time at sea (when booking a room, you can ask the hotel to support you in booking speedboat tickets and shuttle bus from the port).

The average price for renting a motorbike on the island is 150,000-200,000 VND/day (depending on whether the motorbike includes gas or not). If you go in a large group or family, you can rent a tuk tuk for about 700,000 VND/day, an electric car for about 1.2 million VND/day.

Quang Ninh seafood is famous for its unique specialties that you should not miss such as sea worms, eggplant, and sea cucumber. However, whether you eat at a hotel, beach, or residential area, remember to ask carefully about the price to avoid being "ripped off." If you want to enjoy seafood like the locals, you can go to the market early to buy by the kilo.

Accommodation facilities on the island have improved in recent times with a variety of options such as motels, hotels, stilt houses, homestays, villas and resorts; room rates range from 300,000-3.5 million VND depending on room type and time. Some suggestions highly appreciated by tourists are Phoenix Minh Chau, Minh Chau Pearl Hotel & Spa, Minh Chau Beach Resort, Grandpearl Resort.../.