A Day in the Countryside of Nam Dinh
Overview
This day-long excursion, far from the bustling urban life, will allow you to breathe in the fresh countryside air, discover rustic life, authentic Vietnamese villages, and traditional craft villages in a typical rural setting
- A journey into the heart of the Red River Delta to explore rural life, far from the hustle of the capital.
- Visits to craft villages specializing in water puppetry, wood carving, and trumpet making.
- Exploration of Co Le Pagoda and Pham Phao Cathedral.
- Discovery of the Luong Tile-Covered Bridge.
Itinerary
7:30 AM: Welcome by our driver and guide at your hotel. On the way to Rach Village in Nam Dinh, one of the cradles of water puppetry art, where artisans craft water puppets themselves.
Upon arrival, meet Mr. Trien, the owner of a private water puppet theater and a skilled artisan who creates his own water puppets. Engage with him to better understand this unique art and visit his water puppet workshop. Scenes of rural life inspire artisans to infuse soul into these figurines, making them as lifelike as possible.
Optional: During the village visit, based on your interest, you can learn to make puppets and manipulate them on the water, or even attend a water puppet show if you reserve this option in advance.
Visit Co Le Pagoda, a splendid Buddhist worship place with a lotus-shaped structure standing on a turtle. You can observe the interplay between Christianity and Buddhism. Rebuilt in 1902, it stands out with remarkable architecture combining Buddhist and Gothic elements on the exterior.
En route to Hai Hau, an area at the mouth of the Red River renowned for high-quality rice and productivity in the Red River Delta.
12:00 PM: Lunch at a local's house.
Afternoon: Bike ride through villages and rice fields interspersed with irrigation canals. During your bike ride, stop to visit some iconic sites in the region to better understand local life: Pham Phao Cathedral known for its wood sculptures, Luong Tile-Covered Bridge dating back to the 16th century, meet Mr. Cuong, an artisan who makes brass trumpets, explaining the traditional production of brass trumpets, and Luong Pagoda with its ancient secular walls.
Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon. Travel by vehicle for 5 hours, covering 250 km.
Prices and Accommodation
How to book?
Enter your travel date, the number of adults, and the language
Click "Book this tour" for price, then "Book now" to reserve.
"Pricing is for up to 6 adults. For larger groups, please request a customized offer in your 'special requests'
Included
- Transportation according to the itinerary in a private vehicle with a chauffeur for your exclusive group.
- Meals as specified in the program: 1L = 1 Lunch.
- English-speaking guide.
- Visit fees and entrance rights to the sites to be visited.
- One liter of bottled water per day per person.
- Administrative fees.
Excluded
- Personal travel insurance for travelers.
- Bank fees.
- Beverages, phone expenses, personal expenditures, and anything not explicitly mentioned in the "What's Included" section.
- Tips.
Useful Information
Historical Site Visit: Explore the 16th-century Luong Tile-Covered Bridge and learn about traditional brass trumpet production from Mr. Cuong, an artisan with expertise in the craft.
Water Puppet Artisan Encounter: Engage with Mr. Trien, a skilled artisan and owner of a private water puppet theater, to gain insights into the traditional art of water puppetry.
Hands-On Experience: Optionally, participate in a puppet-making session or enjoy manipulating water puppets on the village water, offering a hands-on understanding of this unique craft.
Full-Day Journey: Expect a full-day journey from Hanoi, covering approximately 250 km by private vehicle with a guide, providing a comprehensive exploration of cultural, artistic, and historical aspects of the region.
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