Suggestions for a short spring trip in the North during Tet

The trip for tourists departing from Hanoi, lasting 3 or 4 days, is suitable for families traveling after the first day of Tet when they have completed the traditional New Year rituals. Suggestions based on the reporter's experience and advice from some travel companies in Hanoi. These itineraries are also suitable for traveling by car.

Experience the movement

Admiring early season plum blossoms in Moc Chau and mountainous provinces

Plum blossoms in early February 2023 in Moc Chau. Photo: Sang Sang

The beginning of the year is a beautiful time in Moc Chau when plum blossoms begin to bloom white. Depending on the weather, some years the flowers bloom on the first or second day of Tet, ideal for spring trips. Plum and apricot blossoms usually last about 2-3 weeks, so visitors have enough time to find the most suitable departure time. The distance from Hanoi to Moc Chau is 180 km, taking about 4-5 hours to travel depending on traffic conditions. In Moc Chau, visitors have to travel many more stages to reach the famous tourist destinations.

Some places not to be missed in Moc Chau: Na Ka plum valley, Trai Tim tea hill, Ban Ang pine forest, world record glass bridge.

Cuisine: Moc Chau salmon and sturgeon, crispy fried stream fish, cat's whiskers, fried veal, rock snails, dairy dishes.

In addition to Moc Chau, many destinations in the Northeast - Northwest region also attract tourists during Tet such as Yen Bai - Cao Bang - Bac Kan - Son La - Dien Bien. These itineraries can all be experienced in 3-4 days.

Climbing and cloud hunting at famous peaks

Cloud hunting on the top of Bach Moc Luong Tu. Photo: Vietrekking

Winter and spring are usually the most ideal times for cloud hunting in Ta Xua (Son La), Lao Than, Y Ty (Lao Cai), Sin Ho (Lai Chau), Bach Moc Luong Tu (Ky Quan San - Lao Cai), Ta Chi Nhu (Yen Bai), Ngu Chi Son (Lao Cai) and some other mountain peaks.

To ensure safety, visitors should buy a tour with a guide. Usually, a two-day, one-night tour, combined with a visit to some local places, will last 1-2 more days depending on demand. In the tours to conquer these peaks, visitors will travel through primeval forests, diverse terrain, streams and waterfalls, with an average level of difficulty. Usually, at night, the group will sleep at a gathering point "a short" distance from the peak (about 30-40 minutes walk) so that they can start hunting clouds early the next morning.

To climb mountains and hunt clouds, visitors need to exercise regularly and maintain the best health to complete the trip, creating a milestone for themselves at the beginning of the new year.

Tour price ranges: 3-5 million VND.

Cave tours in Quang Binh

Va Cave (Quang Binh). Photo: Oxalis

Quang Binh is famous for many caves, many of which have 2-3 day tours (not including travel time) and open during Lunar New Year such as Va Cave (2 days 1 night) by Oxalis Adventure or Hung Thoong Cave (3 days 2 nights) and Tiger Cave (3 days 2 nights) by Jungle Boss.

These tours are usually all-inclusive (not including transportation costs from the starting point). Visitors will be provided with full safety equipment and meals throughout the journey. As with mountain climbing trips, visitors need to prepare good health and "mentally" stay away from phone waves, 4-5G, social networks and electronic devices used every day.

Relaxing experience

Relaxing cruise tour

Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan.

Cruising on Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh) or Lan Ha Bay (Hai Phong) is an ideal experience for those who love to relax. The program usually has the option of 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights.

Tourists can stay two nights on the ship, visit some pre-designed destinations in the itinerary or stay one night on the ship, the remaining night on land in Ha Long City or Cat Ba Island District. Tourists can join yoga, taichi classes or experience kayaking, gentle cycling to visit Viet Hai ancient village, Ba Trai Dao beach (Lan Ha Bay), Ti Top island, Sung Sot cave (Ha Long Bay).

Depending on the tour price (ranging from 3 to 8 million VND/person), the accompanying services and meals will vary. Refer to some highly rated suppliers such as: Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan, Mon Cheri, Scarlet Pearl, Stellar of the seas, Paradise, Ambassador, Indochine.

Relax and bathe in hot mineral water

Bang Onsen mineral spring in Quang Binh. Photo: Resort

In the North and North Central regions, many places have hot springs such as Thanh Thuy (Phu Tho), Kim Boi (Hoa Binh), My Lam (Tuyen Quang), Tram Tau (Yen Bai), Ke Ga (Ninh Binh) or onsen areas such as Quang Hanh (Quang Ninh), moving a little further there is Bang Onsen (Quang Binh). However, not all places have modern, convenient resorts that combine synchronous and self-contained services.

If you decide to go on vacation, you should choose the following places: Serena Resort (Hoa Binh), Ohayo Onsen (Thanh Thuy, Phu Tho), Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh (Quang Ninh) and Bang Onsen (Quang Binh). In addition to hot mineral baths, you can combine the remaining time to visit famous tourist attractions in each locality.

Check out the destinations here.

Vacation in famous tourist spots

Melia Vinpearl Cua Sot Beach Resort in Ha Tinh. Photo: Resort

Tet is the peak tourist season, so most famous destinations are crowded. However, if you decide to relax and enjoy the services inside high-class resorts and hotels, you can eliminate this worry.

Within 3-4 days, those in need can experience vacations at famous resorts in the North and North Central regions such as Flamingo Dai Lai resort (Vinh Phuc), Vinpearl Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Sun Spa Resort (Quang Binh), Muong Thanh Luxury (Nghe An), Jade Hill Resort & Spa, Silk Path Grand Resort & Spa, Hotel de la Coupole - MGallery (Sa Pa, Lao Cai), FLC Luxury Hotel Sam Son (Thanh Hoa), Melia Vinpearl Cua Sot Beach Resort (Ha Tinh). Some places have hot water swimming pools, health care massage services, gyms, yoga classes, helping visitors to rest and relax.

Spiritual experience

Tours during Tet cannot lack spiritual activities. Spiritual tours are usually not long, usually one day or two days one night, combined with visiting some nearby places at the destination. Tourists departing from Hanoi have some popular options such as:

- Tam Chuc Pagoda - Phat Quang Pagoda - Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda (Ha Nam).

- Van Long Dam tourist area - Hoa Lu ancient capital - Bai Dinh pagoda - Tam Chuc pagoda (Ninh Binh - Ha Nam).

- Temple complex in Yen Tu (Quang Ninh).

HA (according to VnE)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/goi-y-chuyen-du-xuan-ngan-ngay-o-mien-bac-dip-tet-370969.html