8:00 am The tour guide and vehicle of Paradise Indochina Travel pick you up at your hotels then depart for Ba Vi National Park. In case you do not need hotel pickup, you can go here (Hanoi Opera House - the meeting point) for pickup.
After 1.5hour drive, you arrive at the park. Our car will take you to Pine forest where you would do a hiking to discover the neglected ruins. It is ancient French church (Ruins). The collapsed church is located in the jungle, 800 meters above ground. The roof has been long gone, leaving the whole structure vulnerable to the elements. The cross still remains, but the whole cathedral is covered in moss, mold, mist, grasses, and even trees, having been empty for many years. But then again, the sight is a stunning evidence of both history and beauty.
During the French colonial presence in Vietnam, system of prisons intended to detain local patriots and revolutionists including one erected in Ba Vi National Park. Nowadays, Only moss walls are left, covered by grass and trees, but with what is left, one can still imagine the wild immage in the pine forest in the heyday. Today, Ba Vi becomes a favorite site for photographers. You would also have chance to walk through the jungle and visit the old green cypress trees as well as the stunning flora and fauna surrounding. Especially, located at Point 600m is the historical battle of Ba Vi Regiment on Dec 31, 1951 that successfully broke off the Da river defense line of the French, leading to the victory of Hoa Binh campaign in 1952. You would also have chance to walk through the jungle and visit the old green cypress trees as well as the stunning flora and fauna surrounding.
Have lunch at the food zone nearby and you should try some specialties from the mountainous area of Ba Vi park (the lunch is not included and you pay. It costs around 9 USD per person for a lunch in the park) Then change your direction to the King High Peak Temple (called Đền Thượng in Vietnamese) - a hollowed site for worshiping Tan Vien Saint. The peak at 1,227 meters where the Tan Vien shrine was built in the 11th Century in honor of a legendary hero who had helped Vietnamese in their hard struggle. Only tens of steps more would let you stand on the Tan Vien peak (or Vong Canh peak, or the viewpoint) where dense of fogs and clouds cling to your feet, make you feel like standing at the border between heaven and earth.
Return to your car and get back Hanoi. After 1.5hour drive back from Ba Vi, you arrive back in Hanoi. We will drop you off the same pickup place. Tour ends at your hotel in Hanoi around 17:30
I’ve had touching experience touring outside the city of Vietnam, I visited one of the oldest village and going to ba vi national park to see the temple up on the peak my tour guide was very helpful (bobby) he went above and beyond
Transportation and guide were both excellent. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, over a wide range of interests. Our tour was a few hours short presumably because we declined climbing a second mountain trail. We felt other aspects of the park could have been explored. We had a nice day.
We had a wonderful visit to Ba Vi National Park. The guides communicated proactively and responsively, picked us up right at our Airbnb (even though it was harder to find than a hotel), and went above and beyond to make sure we got the most out of our hiking. Highly recommend!
We had a great day with our tourguide Ben. He gave us a lot of information, not only on the tour and temples, but also about Vietnam and the vietnamese culture. Watch out, there are many steps to take to go up to the temples, so only suitable for persons with good condotion. Unfortunately, the weather was rather cool, foggy and misty, but still we enjoyed the trip. On 1200 m hight it was even less cold than we had expected.
We decided on a pricier tour to Ba Vi than some others, thinking it might be better — but we were so wrong about that! The guide, though nice enough, apparently knew nothing about the sites we were supposed to go to, and not even what was on the itinerary. The description started with “you’ll trek through a lush forest to Ngoc Hoa cave, stumble upon a series of French ruins” Nope… no trek; no French ruins. Instead just drive to the church ruin for a brief photo stop.(I asked him later about the cave and he just shook his head “I dunno”). Then onward to the steps to the temple and pagoda at the top of the peak. Unknown to us (and probably him) the road was closed before the entrance due to road repairs. We had to walk up the hill for the mile or so just to get to the stairs. Our guide said he would walk “halfway” to the top steps and stop at the temple. When we reached the temple, he was surprised that we were there at the top.(i don’t think he’d ever been there before, especially since he was taking some pictures of the place himself) i asked what is the name of the temple and he said it didn’t have a name (though checking the itinerary later saw that it’s called Thoung Temple) When we were back down the steps, I asked him about the prison we are about to visit and he looked confused. He didn’t know of any prison. I showed him the itinerary that says we visit “Tàn Tích Nhà Tù Thời Pháp French Prison Ruins”. He didn’t know anything about it, and asked the guard at the gate. Then he told us that if we want to see it, we need to climb back up the 1200 steps, showed us a picture, and said “anyway it’s just an old wall.” (Of course we passed.) We were pretty hungry by that point and wanted to get some lunch (which was supposed to be included). He had no idea where to stop for lunch and kept asking as we passed the roadside stands, “ Do you want eat here?” They all looked the same; we said anywhere. We pulled over and he spoke briefly with the people in Vietnamese. They came back with menus that had English translations, and we were shocked that the prices were about five times higher than elsewhere. (like $25 USD for chicken and rice). Our guide informed us at that point we need to pay for lunch. We showed him that lunch is included on our tour. Again he seemed confused and called his office. He came back to us and said that Yes, it says lunch included on the main page, but later in the ad it says lunch is not included. When he saw that we were really frustrated by that time, he suggested ordering fried rice, which we did, and the total bill came to $3 USD for the both of us. After lunch, he asked if we wanted to go back to Hanoi or what we wanted to do. Really?! We didn’t realize we were the ones who needed to come up with a plan — so…no hike through the cypress trees, no French ruins, no cave, no prison— just 4 hours of driving, 1.5 hrs up/down the steps, 45 minutes walking up and down the closed road, 15-minute church/ruin stop and half hour lunch. Back in 7 hours — not 9-10 hrs as advertised. (I suppose the missing 2-3 hours were supposed to be all the things that we did not get to.) Chalk it up to one of those travel tours that don’t go well, but be warned about this one! Btw… to go up the peak to the temple and pagoda, and visit the old church run you don’t need a guide at all.
Our wonderful day exploring Ba Vi National Prak . Our knowledgeable guide shared fascinating insights into the lush forest, making every step of the hike more meaningful. His friendly and approachable demeanor added to the joy of discovering hidden waterfalls and stunning views. it was the perfect combination of nature and adventure, leaving us with wonderful memories.
The private tour to Ba Vi National Park was amazing! The lush greenery and peaceful atmosphere were perfect for exploring. We enjoyed the guided walk through the forest trails, learning about the local flora and fauna. The stunning views and fresh air made the experience unforgettable. Highly recommend this tour to nature enthusiasts looking for a peaceful getaway
I had a great experience exploring Ba Vi National Park on a private tour. The hike through the lush forest was refreshing and the views were breathtaking. We hiked to the top where the air was fresh and the atmosphere was peaceful. The visit to Linh Truong Pagoda added a cultural touch to the adventure. The perfect blend of nature and history
Our group had a tour of Ba Vi National Park, which was really great for nature lovers like me. The tour guide paid attention to every detail, ensuring the safety of our group throughout the trip. The lush green forest trails were a delight for nature lovers. Highly recommended for outdoor enthusiasts—don't forget to bring the necessary personal items for a smooth adventure
Our group had a memorable visit to Ba Vi National Park. The quiet green forest provided the perfect retreat for hiking and exploring. The tour started smoothly, with a modern car and tour guide picking us up at the meeting point. Our tour guide was professional, humorous and shared fascinating stories, making the experience more profound. Ba Vi is truly an ideal destination for a peaceful holiday
Our group had an unforgettable trip to Ba Vi National Park, designed especially for us. We were really impressed with our guide Lee, whose extensive knowledge and warm enthusiasm made this experience extraordinary. Every detail was perfectly arranged, from the stunning views to the seamless logistics. Lee’s passion for the area made it special, making this trip not just a trip but a memory to cherish.
The trip was specially organized for our group . We were very excited to climb the mountain. Althoughit was a long hike, it was safe and easy. The abandoned church at the foot of the mountain was amazing Definitely worth a visit. A great day.One of the highlights of my visit to Vietnam
Visiting Ba Vi National Park was a wonderful experience! Hiking through the lush green forest trails was both refreshing and adventurous. Our guides were knowledgeable and attentive, sharing fascinating details about the flora and fauna. Truly a peaceful retreat
We had a memorable visit to Ba Vi National Park , breathtakingly beautiful, with lush greenery and serene landscapes. The hike ken be tiring, so carrying water is essential. For those in good physical condition, the long trails are a must for an immersive adventure. Our guide spoke excellent English, providing fascinating insights throughout The trip . A perfect place for nature lovers
Amazing view, beautiful forest/ peak mountain/ pagoda with accessible path, as long as you’re not afraid of stairs. That was awesome. Mr Hai was very nice and gave us all the tips we needed, plus the car was comfortable.
Fabulous day trip up to Ba Vi National Park doing some small treks. We had a few obstacles to overcome due to the recent typhoon, which only added an extra couple of kms to our walk. That just made it more of an adventure. Our guide for the day, Ken, is fantastic, very knowledgeable. Thanks also to our driver Trung. Highly recommend this for anyone wishing to stretch their legs away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi City.
Our tour to Ba Vi national park was very nice. The trek was not perfect (we mostly went on concrete steps. However, it was worth to see some stunning scenery and French ruins and a wonderful views of Da River. The atmoshere here was so nice. We went on a very hot day and went we reached the top, it was so cool. This trip is good for those who want to have outings and love a medium trek.
Basically, this is a drive up a small mountain, followed by 700+ concrete steps, and then a temple on top. This is followed by a drive to see a couple of spooky abandoned buildings. Lunch was in a roadside shed surrounded by smoking locals taking shots (probably best bit of the day…not exactly family friendly though). The icing on the cake was the forced visit to a lacquer factory in Hanoi (we deliberately chose a tour without obligatory viewing of ‘traditional crafts’, and had been assured this wouldn’t happen) where hoards of very miserable tourists had also been dumped.
Ba Vi - great for nature lovers! Some hike to the church and a lot of steps to 2 other peaks! Must try the yoghurt at the shops along the street. Tam Dao - can take very instagrammable pics, feel like you are in Europe Both on private tour and guides and drivers are very helpful and love to joke!
My family had a great half day Hanoi city tour. During a few hours we could discover many things and hidden corners. Our guide was very knowledgeable and has good English. We also had a nice noddle soup. All in all, our experience was worth of the money!
I didn’t want to give this a bad review because it was a special, local experience. Our group of three were the only westerners there, and it felt authentic and unique. But, it seemed like our tour guide may not have done this tour before… or maybe was rusty? He definitely had to stop and ask people/locals where things were. When we were out for lunch, our guide was a bit forceful about trying the rice wine, which we repeatedly said we did not want. We were patient in the beginning but towards the end, it was really disappointing to have spent $80 on an experience that was really not high quality. We booked the tour because we wanted to go for a hike, and get out of the city. In some ways, it was less important that we had a guide with strong English, or even to learn about the area - we just wanted to move around in a beautiful jungle. I'd really recommend finding a different tour service or finding your own way to get to Ba Vi if you can.
Our group 4 of us booked a private day trip to Ba Vi national park. It is a short trek with our tour guide (because we NOT having much time) and we really loved it. We went of top of the park, and we looked over Da River, wow amazing view, nice breath. It is so nice, so beautiful, truly stunning area. We were lucky to have an experienced driver too, he is also friendly. And all in all, we loved it so much. I definily recommended!
We had one day left in Hanoi and decided to book the trip to Ba Vi national park with this travel company Paradise Indochina Travel when passing by the office. It was great. We did hiking thru the top of Ba vi mountain, had the amazing panorama of Da river and Hanoi. If you have time (2 days is better), you should stay overnight in here. Anyway, I think one day is OK, we had a nice trip. Really recommended
Not many travel company run this tour, so I searched online and found out this travel company, Paradise Indochina Travel. I also looked up some reviews and I booked this trip for me and my wife. This is an ideal place for those who love nature, hiking. During the trip, we can see Cactus house, Thuong Temple, Churches, Bao Thien Tower. The lunch is good, NOT so perfect because the restaurant here so not 100% same as in Hanoi. However, we had a wonderful tour guide and driver. We really enjoyed.
We heard about this area from my friends who had been to Ba vi national park a few times. Then we booked the private tour with a travel agency Paradise Indochina Travel (the one that my friends used). I must say that it was a nice trip. The view when you reached the top is so amazing. We were lucky to have a nice weather on the trip. My tour guide and driver are so nice, friendly and professional. I recommended Ba Vi national park with trekking here if you have not much time in Hanoi.
my friends and I, six of us, booked the Day Trip to Ba Vi National Park with a local tour operator in Hanoi – Paradise Indochina Travel. We could say we loved this area so much (we hope we could come here every weekend). This place is a wonderful national park, having amazing trail for hiking. It is so nice for sightseeing and trekking to the sacred Tan Vien temple. And when you reached top of the area, it seems like a paradise on earth. Amazing!
The drive is fine at approx. 90 min and we had a great guide for the private tour who provided us with a lot of background information about Vietnam and also placed it in the context of global political events. The ruins of the French church are nice to look at, but basically you have seen everything in 10 min, incl. a small tour where you also enter the ruins of an old house. After that, we went to climb the temple. The more than 1000 steps were easy to manage. The path is well laid out and there are several places to rest. We didn't see any monkeys or many butterflies (it had rained heavily the previous days), but the loud singing of the cicadas was impressive and there were still some imposing insects to admire. The temple tower is unfortunately no longer accessible, but still worth seeing. Due to the clouds that day, one looked into a white wall from the viewpoints. After the temple, we went to the last stop, or what was left of it. The cactus house is de facto no longer accessible. The path there is completely overgrown and the cactus house itself is abandoned. This should no longer be advertised. We did the tour at the end of August 2026.
Perfect day with Tony. Explanations, laughter! We recommend! Thanks also to our driver at the top
Die Fahrt war sehr gut, die Wanderung zum Tempel auch bei Nebel eindrücklich. Unbedingt langsam angehen, 1000 Stufen sind nicht zu unterschätzen. Der Abschluss mit der Kirchenruine im Urwald und das feine Essen mit Einheimischen das Tüpfchen auf dem i.
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