Escape to Villages by Bike – 2 Days

Day 1: Hanoi – Thach That (overnight in Dong Truc village) (L, D)
Our tour guide and driver will meet you at the hotel. We depart from Hanoi by bus and head out northwest of Hanoi. After 45 minutes, we arrive to our first destination, Thay Pagoda (note: we should dress appropriately to visit pagodas).
You will be fascinated by the unique architecture and intriguing interiors of the pagoda. Especially mysterious is the story about the first Master of this pagoda which dates back a thousand years ago.
After we take in the great panoramic view of rice paddies from mountain peak, we get on our bikes and start cycling through local villages, crossing rice paddy fields. Enjoying the ride for about over an hour, we will stop to see the famous pagoda of Tay Phuong and have lunch in a local restaurant nearby.
After lunch, we keep riding to the village of Dong Truc. This is a really pleasant route for easy cycling. We cross small bridges, ride along little canals, all the while being greeted by children and farmers, calling on you with nice smiles on broad faces.
Arriving at our home stay still early in the afternoon, our guide will introduce you to the family, provides orientation then relax drinking tea and chatting with our host.
There is still time to continue enjoying the slow wandering, biking to other villages close by. This evening, we will be treated to various authentic Vietnamese dishes, cooked by the family members.

Tay Phuong pagoda

Day 2: Thach That – Son Tay – ancient village of Duong Lam – Hanoi (B, L)
If you wish to breathe the fresh morning air of countryside, get up early for a stroll around the village, have fun chatting with the locals. After breakfast, we say farewell to our host, get on the bikes and keep riding to Son Tay.
This is where the genuine Vietnam still exists. The old citadel is well preserved; the town is quiet with no tourists. Lightly explore the area then head out for a short ride of only 4 km to the ancient village of Duong Lam.
You will find the real image of Vietnam, first at the village entrance, grace by a high banyan tree and tiles roof gate with brick lanes leading you to Mong Phu Temple. This is a beautiful old temple where villagers seriously worship and celebrate ceremonies to honor the Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung kings, who were born from this village.
We enjoy cycling around, go through narrow mossy lanes and stop to visit an old house, having tea and cake with the owners. Our lunch will be servered at the local restaurant. After lunch, we put away the bikes and head straight back to Hanoi

Bike to Duong Lam Village