5 villas on Hanoi's outskirts for summer vacation

De'bay Villa

De'bay Villa in Hanoi's Soc Son District. Photo courtesy of De'bay Villa.

De'bay Villa in Soc Son District, an hour's ride from downtown Hanoi, is deep inside a pine forest and secluded, making it an ideal summer escape for families and groups of friends.

Tourists can enjoy a swimming pool in the middle of the forest, walk around the forest taking pictures and make a barbecue.

The villa is actually five small bungalows and a large villa with all kinds of amenities. Each pinewood bungalow has two floors made mainly of wood and glass with a 360-degree view. The largest villa can accommodate 10-20 people.

The cost of a bungalow for two is VND1.09 million ($47.40) per night and of the large villa is VND5.9 million ($256.18).

The Pool Villa

A swimming pool at the Pool Villa in Hanoi's Soc Son District. Photo courtesy of Pool Villa.

Also situated in the outlying district of Soc Son in a village surrounded by pine forests and meadows, the Pool Villa is suitable for up to 12 people. The fresh air means it is an ideal place to relax and bust stress after a long working day.

One of the most recommended experiences by travel bloggers is climbing the small hills nearby every morning.

The villa has two rooms, a swimming pool, a fishing pond and private outdoor space for a BBQ party.

The cost of the villa is VND3.5 million ($151.80) on weekdays and VND5 million ($216.87) during weekends.

U Lesa Retreat

A bungalow inside U Lesa Retreat in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of U Lesa Retreat.

U Lesa near De'bay Villa is romantic and overlooks a valley.

It is suitable for couples, families and groups of friends. Guests can order BBQ and drinks at a small restaurant there, go bicycling and enjoy its swimming pool, plunge pool and mini basketball court.

There are 11 bungalows at VND1.2-5 million per night.

Thung May Farm Villa

A swimming pool at Thung May Farm Villa in Hanoi's Hoa Lac District. Photo courtesy of Thung May Farm.

Located in another outlying district, Thach That, around two hours from downtown Hanoi, Thung May Farm Villa is good for large groups of 20-40 people.

Spread over an area of over 20,000 square meters, it has two dormitories, three bathrooms, a large pool, and an outdoor BBQ area.

There is also an orchard and a pink lotus pond, which is always in bloom in summer, where visitors can pick fruits and feed the fish.

The price for a night is VND4-6 million for the entire place.

Topaz Villa

Topaz Villa stands on a tea hill in Hanoi's Ba Vi District. Photo courtesy of Topaz Villa.

Topaz, which is on a tea slope in Ba Vi District, 60 km from downtown Hanoi, has one villa and two bungalows.

It is suitable for small groups of families and friends, complete with a kitchen, living room and bedrooms. It also has a large swimming area, with water slides and other games. Its white and green theme makes Topaz stand out amid the tea hills.

Because of the pandemic, visitors will be asked to clean their hands, wear masks and have their temperature checked before and after checking in.

While at the villa, visitors can check out some nearby destinations such as the 11,000-hectare (27,182-acre) Ba Vi National Park.