In the last days of May, Hanoi entered a period of intense heat with outdoor temperatures sometimes exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
Instead of long trips that take time and cost, many families and groups of young people are tending to find resorts near the capital to "cool down" for the weekend.
With just under 3 hours of driving, visitors can leave the hot city air to return to cool mountains, green lakes or eco-tourism areas shaded by trees.
Tam Dao (Phu Tho)
Tam Dao continues to be a name chosen by many people this summer.
Located at an altitude of over 900 m above sea level, Tam Dao is about 80 km from Hanoi, possessing a cool climate all year round, especially pleasant in the summer.
Many tourists compare this place to a "miniature Da Lat" of the North with fog, winding slopes and cafes overlooking mountains and forests.
Ba Vi (Hanoi)
Not too far from the capital center, Ba Vi is also a suitable choice for short trips.
Ba Vi National Park is famous for its roads shaded by trees, pine forests and temperatures a few degrees Celsius lower than the inner city on hot sunny days.
Many groups of children choose to trek, camp or picnic in the green space to change the wind after a stressful week of work.
Dai Lai (Phu Tho)
Meanwhile, Dai Lai Lake attracts families thanks to its easily accessible lakeside resort space, only about an hour's drive from Hanoi.
This area stands out with its wide water surface, many green trees and resorts located interspersed among pine forests.
Activities such as kayaking, cycling or simply relaxing by the lake are becoming a popular choice on weekends.
Mai Chau (Phu Tho)
A little further away, Mai Chau brings a completely different feeling with a slow pace of life in the Northwest mountains and forests.
The valley about 140 km from Hanoi impresses with green fields, Thai villages and rare fresh air in the summer. Many stilt house homestays here are always crowded on weekends when the demand for "hiding from the heat" increases.
Ninh Binh
In addition, if you love river experiences, visitors can choose Trang An or Tam Coc (Ninh Binh).
Only about 2 hours drive from Hanoi, this place brings a cool feeling thanks to the cave system and the blue water flowing through the limestone mountains. Boating trips in the early morning or late afternoon are being loved by many young tourists in the summer.
In addition to familiar destinations, many eco-tourism areas near Hanoi such as Thien Son Suoi Nga, Quan Son Lake or Ham Lon Mountain also record increased visitor numbers on weekends. The common point of these destinations is the space with many green trees, lakes and convenient daytime travel.
According to many travel agencies, the trend of short-term resorts near nature is becoming increasingly popular in the context of the summer in the North continuously experiencing prolonged heat waves.
Instead of crowding in distant tourist destinations, many people prioritize short trips, saving time but still enough to regenerate energy and stay away from urban pressure.
With convenient distances and not too high costs, "heat shelters" around Hanoi are forecast to continue to attract tourists throughout this summer.
