3 Days / 2 Nights
Malaysia
Overview
Step into a land awash in history and customs with an overnight trip to Ky Son. Escape from Hanoi to the fertile Tonkin valley for a night in a traditional-style homestay. Spend a day biking on backroads, exploring ancient villages and getting a hands-on introduction to Vietnam’s rural customs.
Trip Highlights
See Mai Chau’s pristine landscapes
Spend two nights in the bucolic Mai Chau, enjoying the lush valleys, green rice terraces and solitude of the region.
Experience local Vietnamese life
Join the Ky Son community as they go about their daily tasks in the fields and at home.
Explore an ancient village
Bike to Duong Lam, enjoying lunch in a traditional family home and exploring the well-preserved ancient buildings.
Itinerary
1
Hanoi - Ky Son & Duong Lam Villages
Biking distance: 6 – 15 km, leisure on flat road.
Drive 1 hour northwest of Hanoi for a one night stay in a unique lodge reconstructed from authentic Thai Binh and Mai Chau province buildings and set in the fertile Tonkinese valley next to the village of Ky Son.
Upon arrival, explore the traditional structures and bucolic landscape that comprise this lovely property before rolling up your sleeves in the spacious, bright kitchen for a cooking class, learning from the owner how to make delicious Vietnamese dishes served as lunch!
Spend some time at leisure after lunch at a Vietnamese traditional house.Then, hop on a bicycle for a six-km leisure ride along charming back roads, rice paddy fields and through picturesque villages such as the ancient village of Duong Lam. Visit Mia Pagoda, built in the 15th century and sheltering 287 statues of all sizes, among which are statues of Buddha and statues of the ‘Eight Vajra Deities’. Then, discover Mong Phu temple in Mong Phu commune – one of the few hamlets where the original village entrance remains. Continue riding through the narrow alleys to see the old laterite houses. Finish at Ngo Quyen temple and Phung Hung temple, places dedicated to two national heroes - Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung.
Return to the lodge and try a local tisane and a traditional herbal steam bath before dinner.
Overnight in Ky Son Village.
Biking distance: 6 – 15 km, leisure on flat road.
2
Ky Son Village Departure
Wake up early to join in Yijinjing exercises and traditional Vietnamese worship customs honoring ancestors with morning rituals.
After breakfast enjoy free time to luxuriate in stunning natural surroundings. Walk around the village, stop at any home for a cup of tea. Chat with local people about their daily life and farming. Help with plowing, transplanting seedlings or harvesting rice, tea, cassava, corn, or sweet potatoes depending on the harvest season. Collect tea and medicinal herbs in the garden to use back at the lodge. Alternatively, take some time to relax in a garden hammock or take pictures in traditional Vietnamese garb before heading back to Hanoi.
Notes: the bicycle tour can be arranged on the 2nd morning, and is especially advised during June-August period as weather will be hotter in the afternoon.
Important Information
Inclusions
Notes
Our services include:
- Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room (private room in shared house)
- Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
- English/ French speaking local guide (for other languages supplements apply)
- Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle
- Entrance fees for mentioned visits
Our services do not include:
- Other meals than mentioned
- Other services than mentioned
- International and domestic Flights
- Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature
- Tips, Travel insurance
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