Charm of the Hanoi Countryside By Bikking

During a full-day escape from bustling Hanoi, you will be guided by an escort and experience the beauty of the Red River Delta.  You will visit amazing attractions, getting to know about the local lifestyle, while you relax and soak in a great experience.

You will be picked up at the hotel by our van and driven to Southwest Hanoi at Xuan Phuong Village, where you will start biking. You will ride through the rich, fertile farmlands of the Red River Delta on your way to the first destination, Thay Pagoda. Thay Pagoda was built in the 11th Century, during the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong. You will explore its complex of temples, communal houses and pagodas, nestled at the foot of a large limestone cliff formation which is characteristic of the area. It is said that traditional water puppet theatre originated here. You then continue biking to Tay Phuong Pagoda, where the unique collection of Buddhist statues has remained intact since the 17th century. After conquering the 239 stone steps, you will arrive at the main sanctuary and are free to explore. Following that, you have lunch at a local restaurant

In the afternoon, our car will take you to visit Son Tay Citadel (erected in 1822) located in Son Tay Village. The body of the wall was built of hard sandstone with one gate on each side. The wall is surrounded by a 3 m deep, 20 m wide moat and each corner of the citadel was once armed with cannons. Furthermore, there is the Kinh Thien Palace, which was the resting house of the king.  It also served as residences and offices for provincial leaders, warehouses, and troop camps. Due to the passage of time and the effects of war, parts of the ancient wall were destroyed, but measures to prevent and restore this historic relic have recently been implemented.

You will next drive to the Duong Lam ancient village, then start biking to explore the Red River Delta, with its village gates, banyan trees, temples, communal houses, pagodas, and ancient homes more than 300-400 years old.

You’ll see Duong Lam, an ancient Viet village, famous for its hundreds of brick houses.  You will also visit Mong Phu communal house, Mia Pagoda and Ngo Quyen Temple.  Later, you’ll stop and visit a local home, where three to five generations of a family may live!  While you have some tea, you can chat with the owner about the village’s history and the traditions of the local people.

Next, you will cycle to Va Temple, where you can witness the worship services for our national saint, Tan Vien, who, according to legend, protects the Vietnamese people from the annual inundation.  Your vehicle will meet us at Va Temple and drive you to your hotel in Hanoi, bringing to an end an experience we are sure you will always treasure.