Weekend trips from Hanoi - ideas welcome!

[LaLaFlottes]

Hi!
DD will hopefully be spending some time in Hanoi in March and April. She will have 3 or 4 weekends, potentially a couple being long weekends, where she can explore.
Other than the sights in Hanoi itself, ideas for excursions over weekends would be welcome if anyone has any experiences they can recommend?

Many thanks.

Ha long and Ninh Ninh can both be done in a weekend

Ha Long bay; you stay overnight on a boat - very touristy but it’s beautiful.

We did Lan Ha Bay, which is next to Halong Bay but nowhere near as crowded. It was absolutely wonderful! Sea kayaking in a hidden cove was a real highlight.