Suggestions for a short spring trip to Northern Vietnam during Tet (Lunar New Year).

This trip, departing from Hanoi and lasting 3 or 4 days, is ideal for families looking to travel after the Lunar New Year's Day celebrations, once traditional New Year rituals have been completed. This suggestion is based on a reporter's experience. and advice from several travel companies in Hanoi. These itineraries are also suitable for travel by car.

Experience physical activity

Admire the first plum blossoms of the season in Moc Chau and other 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 the plum blossoms begin to bloom in a blanket of white. Depending on the weather, some years the flowers bloom on the 1st or 2nd day of Tet (Lunar New Year), ideal for spring trips. Plum and apricot blossoms usually last about 2-3 weeks, so tourists have enough time to find the most suitable time to travel. The distance from Hanoi to Moc Chau is 180 km, taking about 4-5 hours depending on traffic conditions. In Moc Chau, tourists will have to travel further to reach the prominent tourist attractions.

Some must-see attractions in Moc Chau include: Na Ka Plum Valley, Heart-shaped Tea Hill, Ban Ang Pine Forest, and the world- record-breaking glass bridge.

Cuisine: Moc Chau salmon and sturgeon, crispy fried stream fish, mustard greens, stir-fried veal, rock snails, and dairy dishes.

Besides Moc Chau, many destinations in the Northeast and Northwest regions 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.

Hiking and cloud hunting at famous peaks.

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

Winter and spring are usually the 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, tourists should book a guided tour. Typically, these tours are two days and one night, incorporating visits to several local attractions, and may be extended by 1-2 days depending on needs. On these tours to conquer peaks, tourists will trek through pristine forests, diverse terrain, and waterfalls, with a moderate level of difficulty. Usually, the group will sleep at a meeting point a short distance from the summit (about 30-40 minutes' walk) to be ready to depart early the next morning to chase the clouds.

For those who enjoy mountain climbing and cloud hunting, regular physical training and maintaining optimal health are essential to completing the trip and setting a milestone for themselves at the beginning of the new year.

Tour prices range from 3 to 5 million VND.

Cave tours in Quang Binh

Hang Va (Quang Binh). Photo: Oxalis

Quang Binh is famous for its many caves, including several 2-3 day tours (excluding travel time) that open during the Lunar New Year period, such as Va Cave (2 days and 1 night) offered by Oxalis Adventure or Hung Thoong Cave (3 days and 2 nights) and Tiger Cave (3 days and 2 nights) offered by Jungle Boss.

These experiential tours are usually all-inclusive (excluding transportation costs from the starting point). Tourists will be provided with all necessary safety equipment and meals throughout the journey. Similar to mountain climbing trips, tourists need to be in good health and mentally prepared to stay away from cell phone signals, 4G/5G networks, social media, and other electronic devices they use daily.

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 enjoy relaxing getaways. Programs typically offer options of 2 days and 1 night or 3 days and 2 nights.

Tourists can spend two nights on the ship, disembarking to visit some pre-planned attractions along the itinerary, or spend one night on the ship and the other night on land in Ha Long City or Cat Ba Island. They can participate in yoga or tai chi classes, or enjoy kayaking and cycling to visit Viet Hai ancient village, Ba Trai Dao beach (Lan Ha Bay), Ti Top Island, and Sung Sot Cave (Ha Long Bay).

Depending on the tour price (ranging from 3 to 8 million VND per person), the included services and meals will vary. Here are some highly-rated providers: Heritage Cruises Binh Chuan, Mon Cheri, Scarlet Pearl, Stellar of the Seas, Paradise, Ambassador, Indochine.

Relax and enjoy hot spring baths.

Bang Onsen hot springs in Quang Binh. Photo: Resort

In Northern and North Central Vietnam, 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 like Quang Hanh (Quang Ninh), and a little further away, Bang Onsen (Quang Binh). However, not every location has modern, well-equipped resorts with comprehensive and self-contained services.

If you're planning a relaxing vacation, consider these destinations: Serena Resort (Hoa Binh), Ohayo Onsen (Thanh Thuy, Phu Tho), Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh (Quang Ninh), and Bang Onsen (Quang Binh). Besides bathing in hot springs, you can also combine your time with visiting other famous tourist attractions in each locality.

Check out the destinations here.

Relax at popular tourist destinations.

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

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

For 3-4 days, those interested can enjoy a relaxing vacation at renowned 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), and Melia Vinpearl Cua Sot Beach Resort (Ha Tinh). Some resorts offer heated swimming pools, massage services, gyms, and yoga classes, allowing guests to rest and relax.

Spiritual experience

Tours during Tet (Lunar New Year) are incomplete without spiritual activities. Spiritual tours are usually short, typically a day trip or two days and one night, combining visits to a few nearby places at the destination. Tourists departing from Hanoi have several popular options such as:

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

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

- The 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