Hồ Quan Sơn, Hà Nội

Known as a miniature “Hạ Long,” Hồ Quan Sơn is an appealing stop on trips to Hà Nội. Located on the outskirts of the capital, the lake is known for its beautiful natural scenery, lush vegetation, ancient pagodas and many valuable historical sites. It is also a popular weekend destination for camping and picnics.

The Quan Sơn tourist area is a landscape of lakes, mountains and forests in Mỹ Đức District, on the outskirts of Hà Nội. Covering up to 850 ha across 5 communes, the area is known for its picturesque scenery. With around 20 mountains of varying sizes, encircling waters and diverse vegetation, it is an ideal destination for weekend camping and picnics.

Quan Sơn also bears the distinctive character of a traditional Vietnamese cultural region, with unique festivals and the unspoiled way of life of Vietnamese villages. Famous ancient pagodas around the tourist area include Bàn Long Tự, Linh Sơn Tự, Hàm Long, Ngọc Linh Tự and Thung Phật… Around 1 km away are the remains of the Mạc Citadel, including sections of its ancient walls and gate. Hồ Quan Sơn itself contains historical sites from the resistance war against the French.

• See also: The most appealing tourist attractions in Hà Nội