Archives: Tours

Hanoi Red River Local Life – fullday trip

08:00: get together at our bike store meeting point – 38c, lane 209, Doi Can street – view location.

Bike and helmet preparation to begin our cycling around Hanoi.

Start biking on the narrow bustling streets of Hanoi to Long Bien wholesales market. Your guide will then introduce on the famous ‘ceramic road’ then, take a short walk to visit Long Bien market. This market is a place where all the fruit and vegetable of Hanoi will be distributed from.

Continue to go up to Long Bien bridge, often called le Pont Doumer built under French Colony and it is now over 100 years of age mostly served for pedestrians, bicycles and motorbikes only.

Get down the bridge (you must bring your own bike with but donot worry, there are only short steps!)
You will then bike along the footpaths along the Red River – indeed, those paths are used by farmers for their cultivation needs

Visit a ceramic market. The ceramic made from Bat Trang followed by river to be here as wholesales place.
Continue to visit Quang Ba flower farmings before returning to meeting point and take taxi back to your hotel.

Destinations: Red River, Long Bien market, Bat Trang, Quang Ba flower farmings
Accomplished: 30 km

Half day hanoi biking tour

Hanoi biking tour, Hanoi, a city between the rivers, built from lowland, Hanoi has many scenic lakes and sometime is called “city of lakes”. Among its lakes, the most famous are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Halair Lake, Bay Mau Lake…As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural centre of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike…

08:00: get together at our bike store meeting point. Bike, helmet and uniform preparation for Hanoi biking tour.
Visit Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple and continue with the Historic Museum to understand about history of Vietnam. We will visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from outside, his former residence, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature
Return to meeting point
Return to your hotel

Meals: Lunch
Destinations: Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, historic Museum, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature
Accomplished: km, elevation gain: 0
Accommodations: No

Surburban Hanoi Countryside Bike Tour

07:00: get together at our bike store meeting point – 38c, lane 209, Doi Can street – view location

Bike and helmet preparation to begin our cycling around Hanoi.

We begin Hanoi countryside bike tour by first exit the bustling city to outskirt of Hanoi passing West Lake, Nhat Tan – Hanoi most beautiful bridge and also the former Soviet Union funded Thang Long bridge to ancient citadel and capital of Vietnam of Co Loa. You will bike on the remaining vestige of the ancient citadel where King An Duong Vuong 257-207 B.C) ruled Au Lac and villages, farms nearby.

Visit too the showroom to understand more about Au Lac, the King and his beloved daughter legendary tale.

Continue to visit fresh vegetable farm that provides majority of the vegetables of Hanoi called Tien Duong. You will have chance to learn and see farmers do their daily field work and understand more about the cultivation habit of Vietnamese.
Having lunch at local family

In the afternoon, visit Me Linh flower village which is similar to Tay Tuu and short visit to Trung Sisters temple

Trung Sisters (or Hai Ba Trung in Vietnamese, 40-43 BC) ruled the country with notable achievement of bronze drum and soldiers on the elephants. Ma Vien defeated them to begin the 2nd time rule of the Chinese against Vietnamese…

We finish our Hanoi countryside bike tour by gathering at our bike store and you return to your hotel.

Meals: Lunch
Destinations: Co Loa ancient Citadel, Tien Duong fresh vegetable village, Me Linh flower villge and Sisters Trung temple
Accomplished: 50 km

 

East West adventure bike tour

Day 1: Hanoi arrival – flight to Dien Bien Phu (no meals)
 On arrival Hanoi Noi Bai airport, check in again at the domestic terminal then on flight to Dien Bien Phu
Arrive Dien Bien Phu, transfer to check in at hotel
Rest of day free
Bike preparation
Overnight at basic hotel in Dien Bien Phu

Day 2: Dien Bien Phu – Tuan Giao (B) 80 km biking (Breakfast)
Simple breakfast at hotel
Follow the alphalted road 279 (AH13) direction to Tuan Giao
Overnight at basic hotel in Tuan Giao

Day 3: Tuan Giao – Than Uyen (B) 87 km biking (Breakfast)
Breakfast at local restaurant
AM: Bike from Tuan Giao to Than Uyen follow the national road no. 6 and 279 passing Pac Ma and the Black river.
Overnight at basic hotel in Than Uyen

Day 4: Than Uyen – Sapa (B) 80 km biking, 40 km bus (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel
08.00: Bike from Than Uyen to Sapa passing the O Qui Ho pass (the most spectacular one) – 80 km
Then from here, bus to Sapa
Check in at hotel
Overnight at basic hotel in Sapa

Day 5: Sapa (B) biking to ethnic villages (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel
In the morning, start biking to visit Ta Van and Lao Chai villages of black Hmong
In the afternoon, biking to visit Sin Chai village, Sapa charming town and Sapa central market
Overnight at the same hotel in Sapa

Day 6: Sapa – Bac Ngam – Bac Ha (B) 71km biking (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel
Bus from Lao Cai to Pho Lu followed the road 4E
From Pho Lu, followed road TL BN-XN to Bac Ha with stops to visit couple of ethic villages on the way
Check in at hotel
Overnight at basic hotel in Bac Ha

Day 7: Bac Ha – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi (B) 80km all biking, critical part 30km (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel
Visit of hilltribe Bac Ha Sunday only market (1 hour only)
Bus will escort you to Lung Phing junction (10 km from Bac Ha). From here, you bike to Xin Man (44 km) then Hoang Su Phi (36 km) passing the most difficult part which bus can’t go through (30 km)
Bus will go another way to group at Tan Quang town.
Overnight at basic hotel in Hoang Su Phi

Day 8: Hoang Su Phi – Tan Quang – Ha Giang (B) 66 km biking (Breakfast)
Breakfast at local restaurant.
Start 66 km biking on the nice road with many streams and rice terraces
From Tan Quang to Ha Giang is 45 km on bus
Check in at hotel
Overnight at basic hotel in Ha Giang

Day 9: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh (B) 80 km biking (Breakfast)
Breakfast at local restaurant.
Bike from Ha Giang town to Quan Ba (45 km) stop a bit then continue to Yen Minh (40 km)
On the last 15 km to Yen Minh if you are tired then take the bus
Overnight at basic hotel in Yen Minh

Day 11: Yen Minh – Lung Cu – Dong Van (B) 70 km biking (Breakfast)
Breakfast at local restaurant.
Bike from Yen Minh town to Lung Cu where you will see the border flag on the farmost point to the North of Vietnam (30 km) stop a bit to visit Sung La cultural village and Pho Bang Sino – Vietnamese boarder then continue biking to Dong Van (40 km)
Overnight at basic hotel in Dong Van

Day 12: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Bao Lac – Tinh Tuc – junction to Phia Den (B) 84 km biking (Breakfast)
Breakfast at restaurant with the famous Vietnamese cuisine Banh Cuon at Ms Yen’s
Start biking from Dong Van to Meo Vac (24 km) with stop at the spectacular Ma Pi Leng to take photo down to Nho Que river
From Meo Vac, continue biking (60km) to the junction with road no. 34 to Bao Lac
From here, bus to Bao Lac (26 km) then to inter-section to Phia Den (78 km)
Check in and overnight at basic hotel in Son Dong

Day 13: Junction to Phia Den – Na Ban – Ha Hieu – Cho Ra – Ba Be national park (B) 61 km biking (Breakfast)
Simple breakfast at restaurant of Son Dong hotel
Start biking to Phia Den (21 km) then to Na Ban (10 km)
Bus from Na Ban to Ha Hieu (15 km difficult bad road)
Bike from Ha Hieu to Cho Ra and Ba Be on the road 279 (31 km)
Homestay in Bac Ngoi village

Day 14: Ba Be (B) 30 km biking (Breakfast)
Simple breakfast at hotel
Take the boat to explore the Ba Be lake in the morning
In the afternoon, biking to the villages in this area.
Homestay in Bac Ngoi village

Day 15: Ba Be – Bang Lung – Dinh Hoa – Thai Nguyen – Hanoi (B) 36 km biking (Breakfast)
Simple breakfast at hotel
The group will take boat to the other lake bank to start biking to Bang Lung (36 km)
The bus has to return to Cho Ra then Bac Kan and Bang Lung to pick up group there at Bang Lung
Bus from Bang Lung to Dinh Hoa – Thai Nguyen and Hanoi (120 km)
Drop off and check in at 2* bed in Hanoi

Day 16: Hanoi guided tour (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel
Visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum from outside, his former residence, One Pillar Pagoda and Temple of Literature
In the afternoon, attend the performance of water puppetry – an unique Vietnamese traditional art performance
Continue to visit Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son temple, Hoa Lo former prison and explore Hanoi Old streets (36 streets)

Day 17: Hanoi – Hai Phong- Binh Ferry – Cat Ba Island (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel
Pick up at hotel then transfer to Hai Phong for high speed boat to Cat Ba Island. Check in hotel. In the afternoon, bike (rental local one) to visit Cat Ba National park (20 km)
Overnight at 2*bed in Cat Ba island

Day 18: Cat Ba Island (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel
Pick up at hotel & transfer to harbor for cruising trip around monkey island about 4 hours, kayaking on the bay.
Free at leisure on island.
Overnight

Day 19: Cat Ba Island (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel
Guided trekking to visit Viet Hai village
Boat back the Cat Ba jetty with boat
Free at leisure on island.
Overnight

Day 20: Cat Ba Island – Hai Phong – Hanoi (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel
Pick up at hotel then transfer to harbor for speedboat back to Hai Phong, transfer by car to hotel in Hanoi.
Overnight at 2* bed in Hanoi.

Day 21: Hanoi – Departure (Breakfast)
Having breakfast at hotel then free time for shopping and relax. Transfer from hotel in Hanoi to airport

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Eastwest Vietnam
Accomplished: 70km per day
Elevation gained: Lung Cu Pass, 1800m

 

Mountain biking Vietnam

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (no meals)
You are warmly welcomed at Hanoi/Noi Bai international airport. Transfer to your hotel for check in.
Rest of the time at leisure for own activities
Overnight at 2* bed

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – taste local ‘bia hơi’ and ‘café sữa’ (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel
Hanoi, a city between the rivers, built from lowland, Hanoi has many scenic lakes and sometime is called “city of lakes”. Among its lakes, the most famous are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Halair Lake, Bay Mau Lake…As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural centre of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike…
Cycle to explore Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday and Friday), his former residence. Continue to visit Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo former Prison ‘called Hilton hotel’ by US pilots!
In the afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple and attend the performance of water puppetry (unique Vietnamese art performance) and Hanoi Old Streets to taste local ‘Bia Hoi!” and ‘Vietnamese milk coffee’
Overnight at hotel

Day 3: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Bac Kan (Breakfast)
Breakfast at hotel
We will transfer you to Thai Nguyen on the new express road (60km) to begin your mountain biking Vietnam trip.
We start biking from here to Bac Kan city (55 km) on very nice section of national road no. 3 from Thai Nguyen to Bac Kan.
Overnight at basic hotel

Day 4: Bac Kan – Giang Pass then Gio Pass – Cao Bang  (Breakfast)
Breakfast
From Bac Kan, we cycle through Giang and Gio Passes. Each pass is 3 km in length and elevation of 800m above the sea level.
Continue to bike until you reach 70km.
Bus transfer to Cao Bang (50km) and check in at hotel
Overnight at basic hotel

Day 5: Cao Bang – Ma Phuc Pass – Trung Khanh – Ban Gioc Waterfalls  (Breakfast)
Breakfast
Bus transfer to the top of Ma Phuc Pass (20km) and from here, we bike to Trung Khanh (54km) then head to Ban Gioc waterfalls (20km)
Take photos on the sunset of this wonderful waterfall
Overnight at basic hotel

Day 6: Ban Gioc Waterfalls – Nguom Ngao Cave – Cao Bang – Pac Po complex – Cao Bang  (Breakfast)
Breakfast
Sunrise visit and take photos on this waterfalls and cycle to visit Nguom Ngao cave.
On bus back to Cao Bang
Cycle to Pac Po Historical site (55km). Pác Bó is a small village in Cao Bằng province, Vietnam, 3 km from the Chinese border. Near this village is a cave, Hang Cốc Bó in which Ho Chi Minh lived for seven weeks, during February and March 1941, when he returned after 30 years of exile
Visit the sitte including Lenin stream, Coc Bo cave.
Return to Cao Bang on bus
Overnight at basic hotel

Day 7: Cao Bang – Dong Khe – That Khe – Lang Son (Breakfast)
Breakfast
We bike from Cao Bang to Dong Khe where the major battle of the First Indochina War fought and That Khe (66km) and then bus to Lang Son (64km)
Check in at hotel
Overnight at basic hotel

Day 8: Lang Son – visits – Bac Son Valley (Breakfast)
Breakfast
Visit the central market then bus transfer to visit Huu Nghi Quan (Friendship Border Gate Vietnam – China)
Back to Lang Son then continue another 20km direction to Bac Son
We start biking on national road 1A to this incredibly amazing valley
Take the sunset photos from a top of a mountain to capture the panoramic view of the valley
Overnight at basic hotel

Day 9: Bac Son Valley – Hanoi (Breakfast)
Breakfast
Sunrise photo shoots and take short walk to the villages.
Bus back Hanoi and drop off at hotel. Finish your mountain biking Vietnam.
Overnight at 2* bed

Day 10: Hanoi – Departure (Breakfast)
Breakfast
Leisure for own activities or shops
Transfer to airport for your departure flight back home.

Meals: Breakfasts
Destinations: Eastwest Vietnam
Accomplished: 70km per day
Elevation gained: Gio Pass, 1200m

 

Grand Eastwest Adventure

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
You are warmly welcomed at Hanoi/Noi Bai international airport. Transfer to your hotel for check in.
Rest of the time at leisure for own activities before starting bike trip off beaten track Vietnam.
Overnight at 2* bed

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – taste local ‘bia hơi’ and ‘café sữa’
Breakfast at hotel
Hanoi, a city between the rivers, built from lowland, Hanoi has many scenic lakes and sometime is called “city of lakes”. Among its lakes, the most famous are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Halair Lake, Bay Mau Lake…As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural centre of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike…
Cycle to explore Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday and Friday), his former residence. Continue to visit Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo former Prison ‘called Hilton hotel’ by US pilots!
In the afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple and attend the performance of water puppetry (unique Vietnamese art performance) and Hanoi Old Streets to taste local ‘Bia Hoi!” and ‘Vietnamese milk coffee’
Overnight

Day 3: Hanoi – Bat Trang Pottery Village – Hanoi
Breakfast at hotel
Bicycle ride to Bat Trang, which translates as ‘bowl-making village’ became famous for its bricks and for its bat dan, a type of bowl popular in the Red River Delta. Bat Trang was so well known that its bricks. The village’s ceramics were finished with five types of glaze: iron brown, blue and white, ivory, moss green, and cracked. The most typical designs, and the ones that are most popular to this day, involve a combination of white and deep cobalt blue.
Overnight

Day 4: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Dinh Hoa – Bang Lung (Bac Kan) – Ba Be Lake
Breakfast at hotel
We will transfer you to Thai Nguyen to begin bike trip off beaten track Vietnam on the new express road (60km) and then from there, continue 30 km to the junction on direction to Dinh Hoa
We start biking from here on the provincial road 268 (20 km cycling) to Bang Lung then follow provincial road 254 to Bang Lung (50km cycling)
Continue by car to Ba Be National Park (45 km)
Homestay overnight at Pac Ngoi village.

Day 5: Boat trip on Nang river visiting villages, waterfalls, caves – boat trip Ba Be Lake
Breakfast
Transfer to the jetty to take boat trip on Nang river to visit Bat Cave then discharge boat to take a trek to ethnic Tai village and Dau Dang waterfalls
Boat down to the Ba Be lake and finally stop at the jetty near Pac Ngoi. Take a short way to the homestay
Overnight

Day 6: Ba Be Lake – Cho Ra – Phia Den – Son Dong café and hotel (before Tinh Tuc)
Breakfast
Bike from Ba Be lake to Cho Ra on the road 254 and 279 (25 km) then continue junction of Na Khao (14 km)
From Na Khao then we go to Son Dong on the road 253 (44 km)
Overnight at basic hotel

Day 7: Son Dong – Tinh Tuc – Bao Lac – Junction to Meo Vac (Ly Bon bridge on Nho Que river) – Dong Van
Breakfast
Bus transfer from Son Dong to Bao Lac then to the junction of Ly Bon bridge on national road 34 (110km). You feel from now on the real bike trip off beaten track Vietnam
Cycle from here to Meo Vac (road snake up but wonderful scenery) within 55 km
Bus transfer from Meo Vac to Dong Van with stop at the Ma Pi Leng Pass (ranked number 4 on the must conquer passes of north Vietnam!)
Overnight at basic hotel

Day 8: Dong Van – Lung Cu peak – Quan Ba
Breakfast at hotel
Cycle from Dong Van to explore Lung Cu (30km, road snake up, highest point is 1700m)
Explore the landmark of this region – the flagpole and capture the surroundings from this tower.
Going down with bus until Lung Tao on the junction to Hanh Phuc road (or national road 4D)
Continue with your bike to the direction of Sung La and visit this village then continue with another 35km cycling before get up to the bus to town of Quan Ba
Overnight at basic guesthouse

Day 9: Quan Ba – Ha Giang – Hanoi
Breakfast at hotel
Cycle to conquer ‘Cong Troi pass’ and on direction to Ha Giang city (55 km)
Load your bikes to the bus and drive back Hanoi
Overnight at 2* bed

Day 10: Hanoi – departure
Breakfast at hotel
Free time for your own
Pack all bikes and transfer to airport for flight back home.
Finnish your amazing trip!

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Eastwest Vietnam
Accomplished: 70km per day
Elevation gained: Lung Cu Pass, 1800m

 

Hidden Northwest Loop

Day 1: Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Ba Khan
08:00: get together at our bike store meeting point. Bike, helmet preparation to start the biking northern Vietnam.
The escort car will bring you to Hoa Binh under the Kun Pass
We conquer this first pass – 12 km at the elevation of 700m. Road is good.
Continue to Ba Khan. This place is on the opposite side of Mai Chau and people called it as “a sleeping beauty’ – very quiet and tranquil with rare tourist access.
Sleep with locals.

Day 2: Ba Khan – Mai Chau – Bai Sang – Phu Yen
08:00: Have breakfast and warm up. Check the bike to make sure it is in good condition
You will cycle up and down continuously. This road is directly from Hoa Binh hydro – electric plant Reservoir which very beautiful and unique leading to Tong Dau.
From here, bus will bring you to Bai Sang boat jetty and you will cruise upstream on Black River to Phu Yen of Son La. Disembark here.
Homestay overnight

Day 3: Phu Yen – Bac Yen – Tram Tau
08:00: Have breakfast
It is the most critical part today as the national road 37 is very bumpy but the adventurous feeling is no where to be found…
Overnight at a basic guesthouse (very simple)

Day 4: Tram Tau – Nghia Lo – Tu Le
08:00: Have breakfast
From Tu Le, we bike to Nghia Lo on a snake up 30 km road. The surrounding scenery is so beautiful with forest, stream and rice terraces.
Continue riding to Tu Le on national road 32 – this section, road is very good.
Overnight at basic guesthouse (very simple)

Day 5: Tu Le – Khau Pha Pass – Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen – Tam Duong
08:00: Have breakfast
We leave Tu Le to conquer the Khau Pha Pass, the word refers to the fact where the Earth meets the Sky at the elevation of 1400m, 15 km up and 15 km down until finishing at Mu Cang Chai.
From Mu Cang Chai, car will take you to Tam Duong – a little town near O Qui Ho Pass
Overnight at basic guesthouse (simple accommodation)

Day 6: Tam Duong – O Qui Ho Pass – Sapa
08:00: Have breakfast
Depart Tam Duong to Sapa on the national road 4D – very good road condition and breath taking landscapes.
Conquer the “King of Pass” of entire Vietnam, total length 40km, elevation at peak 1800m.
Reach Sapa and overnight at 2* bed

Day 7: Sapa visits
08:00: Have breakfast
In the morning, start biking to visit Ta Van and Lao Chai villages of black Hmong
In the afternoon, biking to visit Sin Chai village, Sapa charming town and Sapa central market
Overnight

Day 8: Sapa to Hanoi
08:00: Have breakfast
Pack your bikes into the box
Leave Sapa to Hanoi on highway Lao Cai – Hanoi (360km). Total driving time is around 4 hours.
Check in at your hotel in Hanoi
Overnight at 2* bed

Day 9: Hanoi departure
08:00: Have breakfast
At leisure until transfer to airport for flight back home or to other country.

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Northwest Vietnam
Accomplished: 80 km per day
Elevation gained: Khau Pha Pass, 1254m and O Qui Ho Pass, 1400m

 

Mai Chau beautiful valley, Pu Luong national forest

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau
08:00: get together at our bike store meeting point – 38c, lane 209, Doi Can street – view location.

Bike and helmet preparation to start our Mai Chau Pu Luong cycling tour
Our escort car will drive you to Luong Son where the national road 6 is quiet, the road face is alphalted
From Luong Son, you will start biking. Your first challenge will be the Kem Pass (Doc Kem) and to Hoa Binh and pass the second challenge of Kun Pass (Doc Kun – higher) to Muong Khen and approach Thung Khe pass (total 53km biking).
From there, we load our bikes into bus and continue driving to Mai Chau
Check in
Have some soft walk around the village
Dinner with traditional folk song of Thai ethnic minority performance
Homestay overnight in a house – on – stilt

Day 2: Mai Chau – Pu Luong – Kho Muong
Breakfast
Start biking on the national road 15c to Pu Luong Nature Reserve (46 km) then direction to Hieu village. This is a small but very nice village located inside Pu Luong
Dinner and homestay at Les Bains de Hieu Ecolodge.

Day 3: Guided walking and biking – Hanoi
Breakfast
Easy morning, depending on the season and your preference, you can stay at the lodge and relax, go for a walk or a bicycle ride around, or enjoy a nice canyoning itinerary. From the lodge, hike up the cascades to the village overlooking the valley. It is pretty easy, accessible to most of people and offers a unique experience in North Vietnam.
We have lunch at the lodge and then walk for about an hour and half to the road where our car can access. We drive back to Hanoi on the Ho Chi Minh road and should be there by 6pm.
Drop off at your hotel (accommodation here is not included)

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Destinations: Mai Chau (Hoa Binh), Pu Luong (Thanh Hoa)
Accomplished: 100 km
Elevation gained: Kun Pass, 1200m

Dong Ho folk painting – But Thap pagoda fullday trip

08:00: get together at our bike store meeting point – 38c, lane 209, Doi Can street – view location.

Bike and helmet preparation to start bike Dong Ho village.

Cycle on the river dyke of Duong to Thuan Thanh district of Bac Ninh to visit Dong Ho Painting Village – This 300 – years old handicraft village has a good reputation for woodcut paintings. The specialties of Dong Ho picture are the type of paper made from shell and colors derived from nature. Scallop shells are ground to dust and used to cover the surface of the paper to create sparkling colorful background.

According to the villagers, their ancestors started making Dong Ho paintings in the 11th century during the reign of the Lý Dynasty.

Back to visit But Thap pagoda (2km from Dong Ho): This complex of buildings is situated on a dike of the Duong River amid rice farms. Like most Buddhist temples, a number of buildings actually comprise the temple, usually laid out in linear form, moving successively toward the center. Here the layout has an Entrance Porch, a Bell Tower, and then several central buildings– for performance of rituals, burning of incense (where prayers are recited), and sanctuaries with statues of Buddha and Bodhisattvas.
Cycle back, have a rest and drink before coming back to your hotel.

Meals: Lunch
Destinations: Bac Ninh
Accomplished: 80 km

 

Hanoi Thay & Tay Phuong Pagoda

08:00: get together at our bike store meeting point – 38c, lane 209, Doi Can street – view location.

Bike, helmet preparation to start cycling Thay Tay Phuong pagoda.

Bike southeast to Thay Pagoda, alias Thien Phuc Tu Pagoda, was built in the 11th century during the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong. At first, it was a small pagoda managed by Priest Tu Dao Hanh. The pagoda was initially built according to Sino-Vietnamese character Tam – this character is formed by 3 hyphens parallel to each other.

The pagoda therefore consists of 3 sections: Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda, and Thuong Pagoda. The outer part, Ha Pagoda, is a place for offerings and ceremonies; the middle part, Trung Pagoda, is a place for worship of Buddha; and finally, the inner part is a place for worship of Priest Tu Dao Hanh. An automated sandalwood statue of Tu Dao Hanh that stands and sits is located in a red lacquered shrine trimmed with gold and covered with a curtain.

Continue to bike to visit Tay Phuong pagoda which is just very near to Thay pagoda. Tay Phuong architecture describes as:”The central construction has a directing role and is consequently raised higher than the others. It symbolizes Heaven. The construction at the rear plays the role of a foundation: it symbolizes the earth. The construction closest to the world of man stands in front. The whole structure is the symbol of Thai Cuc (the Prime Principle, from which the whole world derives). The double tier of the roof symbolizes the double principle, Luong Nghi, yin and yang. The slopes, the roof on the four sides symbolize the four elements of heaven, Tu Tuong; the sun, moon, stars and deities, while the slopes on the eight sides stand for the Eight Signs of the Sacred Octagon (Bat Quai)”

Return to meeting point – refresh and have a drink before returning to your hotel.

Meals: Lunch
Destinations: Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas, Hanoi
Accomplished: 80 km