Ba Vi National Park Jeep Tour: Rural Villages & French Ruins

Summary

Ride through Hanoi’s countryside to Ba Vi park by Jeep with local stops

You’ll ride in an open-air Jeep from Hanoi through rural villages and farms before climbing into Ba Vi National Park with a local guide. Expect stops at historic pagodas and a mossy French church, plus time for simple local lunch and panoramic views over the countryside. The cool mountain air and glimpses of daily life make this day trip feel unexpectedly personal.

What’s the experience like?

"Is that really the old French church?" I asked our guide, who just grinned and nodded while steering the Jeep up another winding bit of road. We’d left Hanoi behind maybe half an hour earlier — honestly, it felt like less because the city noise faded so fast. Suddenly we were bouncing past rice paddies and tiny vegetable plots where women in conical hats waved as we rattled by. The air smelled different out there — kind of grassy and sweet, with a hint of smoke from someone burning something nearby. I kept thinking how close all this countryside was to the city.

We stopped at a pagoda I’d never heard of (I still can’t pronounce its name right), and our guide explained some of the history — apparently it’s been there for centuries, tucked between fields like it’s hiding from time. There was incense in the air and a few old men playing cards under a tree. I tried to say thank you in Vietnamese; got a laugh for my effort. The drive up into Ba Vi National Park itself was cooler than I expected — literally cooler, too, since you climb up to about 1200 meters above sea level. Trees everywhere, big ones with roots that look like they’re gripping the earth for dear life.

The highlight for me was that crumbling French church near the top — all mossy stone and broken windows, just sitting there in the mist like something out of an old movie. We trekked up a short trail after lunch (which was simple but good — sticky rice and pork, nothing fancy) to this lookout point where you could see all the way back toward Hanoi if the clouds let you. It’s funny how quiet it gets up there; even with other people around, everyone seemed to go silent for a minute or two just looking out over everything.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jeep tour to Ba Vi National Park

• Start tour at 8:00 am
• Drive 20 minutes out of city
• See rural villages and farms
• Drive on national way to park
• Stop at historic pagoda
• Arrive at Ba Vi National Park
• Drive up to park summit
• Visit old French church
• Trek to loop top viewpoint
• Enjoy panoramic views including Hanoi

Top questions

How far is Ba Vi National Park from Hanoi?

It’s about 65 km from Hanoi to Ba Vi National Park by road.

Is hotel pickup included on this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your day trip booking.

What do you see on the way to Ba Vi National Park?

You’ll pass rural villages, rice paddies, vegetable farms, and stop at a historic pagoda before reaching the park.

What is special about Ba Vi National Park?

The park has lush forests, mountain views at 1200m elevation, and an old French church ruin near the top.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, lunch is included along with bottled water and snacks.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

No special fitness level is required; it’s suitable for most travelers.

Are guides local on this tour?

Yes, your guide is local and shares insights about each stop along the way.

Is there trekking involved in Ba Vi National Park?

You’ll do a short trek to reach one of the panoramic viewpoints after lunch.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Hanoi, all activities led by a professional local guide, bottled water to keep you cool on the drive, snacks along the way, use of a helmet when needed for safety, plus a simple lunch before heading back down from Ba Vi National Park.