2-Day Sóc Sơn Pine Forest Trek: Hidden Trails & Local Stories

Walk the pine forest outsiders don't find, then soak your feet in herbal water the way locals do

A 2-day trek in Sóc Sơn, just outside Hanoi, follows hidden trails through the city's only pine forest with a local guide who shares stories of the land and its people. The itinerary includes a herbal foot bath made from local ingredients after your hike, breakfast each morning, entrance fees, and access to U Lesa Retreat amenities such as the swimming pool, basketball court, archery and bicycles. Small groups keep the experience intimate and unhurried.

The experience

Sóc Sơn sits close enough to Hanoi that you can reach it without a car, but far enough that mass tourism hasn't arrived. The trek moves through the only pine forest in Hanoi, following trails locals use and outsiders don't know. Your guide grew up here and carries the place in the stories they tell: about the land, the people, the way the forest changes through seasons. This isn't a pace-driven march. It's built around noticing: the air you breathe, the ground underfoot, the quiet that comes when you stop rushing.

After the hike, a herbal foot bath waits for you: made from local ingredients and prepared as a simple gesture of care. It's the kind of detail that signals what this experience is: not a checkbox tour, but a deliberate slowdown. You stay at U Lesa Retreat, where breakfast is included each morning, and the grounds offer a swimming pool, basketball court, archery, and bicycles if you want to move differently on your second day. Entrance fees and sightseeing fees are covered. Your guide speaks English.

The two-day format lets you settle in instead of rushing through. The first day builds the connection. The second day deepens it. Small groups are the rule here, not an upgrade. It's how the guide can actually share stories and how you can actually hear them.

What’s included

• English-speaking local guide who grew up in Sóc Sơn.
• breakfast each morning.
• entrance fees and sightseeing fees.
• herbal foot bath after the hike.
• access to U Lesa Retreat amenities including swimming pool, basketball court, archery and bicycles.
• hotel pickup from Hanoi.

Before you book

Days and timesSaturday and Sunday

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (8 to 17 years) · Infant (under 8)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 25

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by U Lesa Retreat

Is this one for you?Pickup from your Hanoi hotel is included, so you don't need a car or local transport knowledge to reach Sóc Sơn. The 2-day format gives you time to settle into the pace instead of rushing through a single afternoon, and small groups mean your guide can actually share stories and respond to what interests you.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 17 years); Infant (under 8).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the pine forest in Sóc Sơn actually like compared to other forests near Hanoi?

Sóc Sơn holds the only pine forest in Hanoi, which makes it distinct in the region's landscape. The forest is peaceful and untouched by mass tourism, with hidden trails that locals know and use. Your guide, who grew up there, will explain what makes this particular forest and its surroundings meaningful to the people who live nearby.

How do I get to Sóc Sơn from Hanoi without renting a car?

Pickup is included in this tour, so you don't need to arrange your own transport. Your guide will collect you from your hotel or accommodation in Hanoi and bring you to U Lesa Retreat in Sóc Sơn for the start of the trek.

What happens on the second day of the trek?

The second day is less structured than the first. You'll have breakfast at the retreat, and the day is designed for you to move at your own pace. The retreat grounds offer a swimming pool, basketball court, archery, and bicycles, so you can choose how to spend your time before heading back to Hanoi.

What's included in the herbal foot bath, and when does it happen?

The herbal foot bath is made from local ingredients and happens after your hike on the first day. It's a traditional Vietnamese touch meant to soothe and refresh you after the trek. The specific herbs used vary, but they're prepared on-site as part of the experience.

Are there any activities at U Lesa Retreat beyond the forest trek?

Yes. The retreat amenities include a swimming pool, basketball court, archery, and bicycles. These are available during your stay, so you can use them on the second day or whenever you want a break from hiking.

What should I know about fitness level or physical demands?

The trek is suitable for all physical fitness levels. However, it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport.