From an early-morning fishing village and peaceful beaches to paragliding above golden rice terraces, these destinations offer memorable experiences within a few hours of Hanoi during Vietnam’s September 2 National Day holiday.

Nghi Son fishing village, Thanh Hoa

Around a 3.5-hour drive from Hanoi, Bai Dong on the Nghi Son Peninsula in Thanh Hoa offers an unspoiled, peaceful coastline, clear blue water and fresh seafood.

In favorable weather, it is also a picturesque place to watch the sunrise or sunset, with some visitors comparing its scenery to the islands of Phu Quoc and Ly Son.

Just a few kilometers from Bai Dong, travelers willing to wake up early can visit the fish market in Nghi Son fishing village.

The market comes alive from around 5:45 a.m. to 7 a.m., when fishermen return from the sea carrying baskets filled with their fresh catch.

Compared with some of central Vietnam’s better-known seafood markets, such as Tam Tien, Ly Son and Mui Ne, Nghi Son offers a more limited variety. What it does offer, however, is exceptionally fresh seafood at relatively affordable prices.

Early September is still a good time for squid in these waters, and baskets of different varieties - including small squid, tube squid and egg-bearing squid - arrive at the market in quick succession.

Fresh from the boats, the squid still glisten as their pigments flicker in the early-morning sunlight and their tentacles move gently inside the baskets.

Squid is also one of the most widely available products at the market, with prices ranging from around $4 to $11 per kilogram, depending on the variety and size.

Visitors can spend either two days and one night or three days and two nights exploring Nghi Son. Beyond swimming, they can visit the fishing village, church and lighthouse, or combine their trip with a tour of Bung Island for fishing, boating, coral viewing and local cuisine.

Travelers can also time their itinerary to catch National Day fireworks at Lam Son Square and Sam Son Sea Square in Thanh Hoa.

The displays are expected to last 15 minutes, from 9:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on September 1.

Nghi Son fishing village in Thanh Hoa.

Tien Trang Beach, Thanh Hoa

About 170 kilometers from Hanoi, or roughly a three-hour drive, Tien Trang Beach in Tien Trang Commune, Thanh Hoa, appeals to visitors with its unspoiled atmosphere and relative absence of noise and crowds.

The beach lies within the 100-hectare Tien Trang tourism area. With 2.5 kilometers of coastline, clear blue water and a broad sandy beach, it is an appealing stop for travelers looking for a quieter, more picturesque corner of Thanh Hoa.

Rows of lush casuarina trees stretch along the beach, providing welcome shade while adding to the area’s natural beauty. They also make the coastline well suited to outdoor activities and recreation.

A range of accommodation and dining options can be found not far from the beach. Visitors can dine at restaurants and seaside eateries serving reasonably priced seafood dishes such as steamed squid, jellyfish salad, seafood fried rice and salt-roasted mantis shrimp.

A visit to Tien Trang can also be combined with several nearby attractions, including the windswept coastal landscape of Bai Ngang, Quang Nham Beach and Yen Cat Pagoda.

Paragliding over northern Vietnam’s golden rice fields