Duong Lam & Son Dong Villages Experience Day

Itinerary

• Hanoi 60km - 1.5h
  Strolling & discovering Duong Lam ancient village, Son Dong wood carving village

  8:00 AM: Enjoy 1.5 hour drive from your hotel to the Duong Lam village a typical village in the Red River Delta which has been well-known as a living countryside museum . This is a great passing from the Old Quarter, French style buildings, across the new city to the countryside. On arrival, first visit the Mia pagoda which contains 287 statues in total, half of them made from wood. The pagoda is also enriched by an interesting village market in front of the main gates.

  Walking on the “wedding brick road” to visit one of the oldest houses. Have an interesting talk with the host about their unique house. Then take a bike (optional) to discover the village and the Mong Phu communal house. Built-in the 17th century, the Mong Phu communal house is dedicated to the Mountain God who they believed could protect the village from bad things. Towards the original main gate, you pass some ancient wells and laterite houses. Keep cycling on small paths through fields to the temple of King Ngo Quyen who lived in the 10th century and defeated the Chinese in 938AD.

  Back to the village to have lunch before traveling to Son Dong wood carving village. According to the Vietnamese Guinness book, Son Dong village is the biggest work-shop of wooden statues and worshipping items in the country. The skillful hands and creative minds of craftsmen transform the lumpy pieces of wood into spiritual statues which will be all over Vietnam and even abroad. On arrival, we first visit the communal house where local people worship their village founder. Then stroll around to visit the village and stop at any work yard as you wish.

  Transfer back to the hotel in the late afternoon.

  Note: Biking distance is flexible, dressing cover knees and shadows inside worshiping places