Vietnam Cycling Tour 4 days: Red River Delta & Mai Chau

Morning departure for Thach That. After 45 minutes, arrival at Thay Pagoda. 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.
 

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 take the bike around villages or free and easy walk. Tonight enjoy the dinner with the family. Overnight in homestay in Duong lam village.
 
 

Moring depart by vehicle for Mai Chau, we will drive through picturesque scenery with stunning views of the northwestern mountainous area. Mai Chau located in Hoa Binh province, approximately 135 km from Hanoi is surrounded by a green valley with a patchwork of rice paddies and stilt houses. The area is home of many ethnic minorities, including the Muong and the Thai. The friendly team of the local Thai ethnic minority will warmly welcome you to the Mai Chau Lodge. Afternoon, we get familiar with the bike and start  2-hour easy cycling tour through the beautiful valley of Mai Chau. We will have a lot of chance to see the local hill tribes pursuing their daily routine, such as planting/harvesting rice, herding buffalos or building houses.  Tonight enjoy dinner at the lodge accompanied by a traditional local Thai dance performance. Overnight in Mai Chau Lodge.
 

After an early breakfast, we will enjoy around 2 hours riding tour through the beautiful valley of Mai Chau. we will meet the local hill tribes pursuing their daily routine, such as planting/harvesting rice, herding buffalos or building houses. After lunch. In the afternoon, transfer back to Hanoi.  End of service.