Hanoi Countryside Jeep Tour: Red River Villages & Co Loa

Summary

Rural Hanoi by Jeep with local markets, crafts and home lunch

You’ll ride through Hanoi’s countryside in a vintage Jeep, cross the Red River to explore ancient villages or Bat Trang ceramics, chat with locals at markets or over a home-cooked meal, and see daily life up close. This isn’t just sightseeing — you’ll taste fresh dishes, hear stories from your guide, and feel part of real village rhythms.

What’s the experience like?

“You know you’re out of Hanoi when the air changes — it’s got this damp green smell, like wet grass after rain. We’d barely left the Old Quarter before our driver steered the old army Jeep off the main road and suddenly we were bouncing past banana groves and skinny cows. Our guide, Minh, grinned at my wide-eyed look and said something about ‘real countryside life’ — I think he was right. There were women in conical hats bent over fields, and every so often a rooster would crow loud enough to make us all laugh. I kept thinking: this is still Hanoi?”

We stopped at Co Loa Citadel first — Minh told us it’s older than Rome (I had to Google that later; turns out he wasn’t kidding). The walls are thick and mossy, and there’s this hush under the banyan trees that made me feel like I should whisper. A couple of older men played chess under a tarp nearby; one waved us over but my Vietnamese is hopeless so we just smiled a lot. Minh explained the legend of the citadel’s magic turtle (I probably missed half of it), but what stuck was how proud he sounded talking about his city’s roots.

I didn’t expect lunch to be such a highlight, honestly. We squeezed into a small house where three generations cooked for us — fish with dill that tasted like river water (in a good way), sticky rice, something pickled I couldn’t name. The family laughed when I tried their chili sauce (too much, rookie mistake). It felt less like a tour stop and more like being invited in on an ordinary day — except for the Jeep parked outside looking all heroic.

If you pick Bat Trang instead, Minh said you get to try your hand at making pottery with real craft families — apparently tourists’ bowls are always lopsided but they fire them anyway. Either way, seeing daily life here from the back of that rattling Jeep… it sticks with you longer than any museum tour ever could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Hanoi outskirts and countryside

• Pick up from Hanoi Old Quarter hotel
• Drive through urban outskirts
• Cross bridge to Red River side
• View farmland panoramas
• Visit traditional rural villages
• Observe local daily activities
• Explore Co Loa ancient citadel
• Learn about wet rice farming
• Visit local markets and handicraft production
• Enjoy home-hosted authentic Vietnamese meal

Top questions

How long does the Hanoi Countryside Jeep Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4.5 hours.

Is hotel pickup included in the Hanoi Countryside Jeep Tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from hotels in or around Hanoi Old Quarter are included.

What destinations can I visit on this tour?

You can choose between Co Loa Ancient Citadel village or Bat Trang Ceramic Village as your main destination.

Is food provided during the tour?

Yes, an authentic Vietnamese meal is included—either home-hosted or at the start/end depending on your schedule.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

Yes, vegan or vegetarian food is available upon request.

Can children join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and all areas are wheelchair accessible.

Who leads the tour?

An English-speaking local guide accompanies each group throughout the experience.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off around Hanoi Old Quarter, entrance fees to sites like Co Loa Citadel or Bat Trang Village, all food and drinks (with vegan/vegetarian options), rain ponchos if needed, an experienced English-speaking guide riding alongside you in a classic Vietnam Army Jeep (fuel covered), plus time for market visits or hands-on crafts before heading back to town together.