Duong Lam Village-stay

The ancient village of Duong Lam on the outskirts of Hanoi, being home to around 300 houses built three and four centuries ago with lateritic bricks, is also known as "The museum of laterite" . The village has also been described as the last stronghold of wet rice farming culture in northern Vietnam. A journey to Duong Lam village is a trip to trace back the origin of Vietnam's culture and Vietnam's traditions. This is also a wonderful chance explore architecture of ancient houses while wandering along its narrow alleyways, visiting beautiful and exotic temples dedicated to the two kings born there and, most interesting of all, chatting with locals in their ancient ancestral homes

Itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi / Duong Lam / Ky Son
You start the day from your hotel at 08.00am and travel west of Hanoi to visit Duong Lam village, a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River delta where there are, still preserved and in use as family homes, houses - some over 400 years old.. It is a unique experience to walk along tiny ancient alleys and visit Mong Phu temple in Mong Phu hamlet - the only hamlet whose original village entrance gate remains intact, dedicated to national heroes. Have a talk with the locals in their ancient houses by visiting the ancient houses of Mr Lam, Mr Ha and Mr Huyen. Enjoy your special lunch of the most authentic Vietnamese food in an ancient house.

After resting, we continue driving to visit Mia Pagoda (other hamlet in Duong Lam village), built in 15 th century and admire 287 statues of all sizes, among with are famous sculptures such as the statue of Buddha in the Himalayas and the statues of the Eight Vajra Deities. Then visit Ngo Quyen temple and Phung Hung temple, places dedicated to two national heroes Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung.

Continue to Ky Son village (4 km). Welcome to the old mandarin house.
- Take shower with fresh herbs perfumed leaves (lemon grass, pommelo, huong nhu, etc.. that you can chose and pick yourself in the garden)
- Dinner and talk with the owner of the house about Vietnamese culture
- Traditional "Foot spa" before sleeping (put your foot in the warm water with traditional medicinal leaves)

Day 2: Ky Son / Hanoi (or next destination)
- Breakfast
- Learning Vietnamese with local people, get to know the Vietnamese traditional clothes (you can wear it if you want)
- Walking around Ky Son village passing the time and chatting with the locals - Continue trekking or biking around or relaxing in the garden
- Cooking class (preparing your lunch with the family and learn how to decorate the food with vegetable and fruits)
- Lunch.