Duong Lam Village Day Tour : Step Back in Time to Vietnam’s Ancient Countryside & Timeless Charm
Overview
Trip Highlights
Overview of Duong Lam Ancient Village Day Trip
Located 60 kilometers west of Hanoi, Duong Lam is an ancient village renowned for its well-preserved traditional houses and unique cultural symbols of the Red River Delta. The Duong Lam village day tour offers a refreshing escape from city life to this tranquil, rural setting.
During the tour, you’ll explore the village’s cultural heritage through visits to ancient long houses, the communal house, a traditional water well, and various temples and pagodas. You’ll also have the opportunity to interact with the friendly locals.
The tour is designed to be flexible and active, featuring walking tours around the village, engaging conversations with local host families, and enjoying a traditional lunch in their historic home. You’ll also have the chance to bike around the village and its surroundings, providing a rich experience of Vietnam’s countryside and traditional culture.
Special Highlights of this Duong Lam Village Day Trip:
- Immerse yourself in the serene and tranquil ambiance of rural Vietnam.
- Discover the traditional cultural symbols of the Red River Delta village.
- Engage in interesting conversations with locals and savor a genuine lunch with a local family in their historic home.
- Enjoy a range of healthy activities, including walking and biking, to explore the village.
Itinerary
8:00 AM, our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Duong Lam Village, a traditional agricultural village in the Northern Red River Delta known for its well-preserved, centuries-old houses.
Upon arrival, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through Mong Phu Hamlet, where the original architecture remains intact. Our first stop will be Mia Pagoda, built in the 15th century to honor Buddha. Here, you’ll have the chance to admire 287 beautifully crafted statues of various sizes, including the notable Buddha statue in the Himalayas and the Eight Vajra Deities.
The village’s entrance
We’ll then wander through the narrow alleys of the hamlet, stopping to visit some of the ancient houses, many of which are over 400 years old. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with the homeowners, learning about the history and architecture of these remarkable houses.
Next, we’ll visit the village center, where you’ll find the large, historic communal house, a key gathering place for villagers during important events. This is a great chance to explore the village’s iconic symbols: the banyan tree, water wells, entrance gate, and the communal house itself.
Visit Ngo Quyen Mausoleum
Lunch will be served in one of the ancient houses, where you’ll enjoy local dishes prepared by the host.
After lunch, we’ll do a leisurely bike ride through other hamlets in Duong Lam commune, giving you deeper insight into the daily life and farming practices of local Vietnamese peasants. Along the way, we’ll visit Ngo Quyen Temple, dedicated to Emperor Ngo Quyen (896–944), who led the decisive battle that ended 1,000 years of Chinese domination in 938. We’ll also visit Phung Hung Temple, which honors King Phung Hung (771–802), who united the people to fight off the Duong invaders, securing the nation’s independence.
After our bike ride, we’ll return to the host’s home, meet our driver, and head back to Hanoi, finishing the tour at your hotel by 5:00 PM.
The Trip’s Inclusions :
- Meals as mentioned in the itineraries: Vietnamese food
- Private transfers within the tour by air-conditioned vehicle, including pick-up and drop-off at hotel.
- English Speaking Tour guide.
- Cycling around village by bicycle
- Entrance and sightseeing fees of mentioned visiting places
The Trip’s Exclusions:
- Beverages and other meals do not indicate in the program.
- Tipping/ Gratuities to guide & driver
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses………
Price
Important information
Children Policy
- Infants under 5 years old can join the tour free of charge. Any additional expenses incurred during the trip will be the responsibility of the parents.
- Children from 5 to 8 years old are charged 75% of the adult rate.
- Children aged 9 years and above are charged at the full adult rate.
- Policy applies to 1 child sharing services with 2 adults. From the second child onward, 50% of the adult price will be applied.
Notes
- Guests are recommended to bring personal essentials such as cash, mobile phone, camera, sunscreen, raincoat or umbrella, and suitable clothing depending on weather conditions and tour activities. Comfortable trekking shoes are advised for hiking activities, while long-sleeved clothing and long pants are recommended when visiting temples or religious sites.
- Tour timing may be adjusted slightly due to traffic, weather, or actual operating conditions.
- The itinerary sequence may be changed by the tour guide for the best operational arrangement while ensuring all attractions are covered.
- If you have any medical conditions, food allergies, or special requests, please inform us before the departure date.
- Pick-up and drop-off services are available from hotels located within Hanoi city center
Frequently Asked Questions
Duong Lam is the first village in Vietnam to be recognized as a National Historic Site. It is a “living museum” of Northern Vietnamese rural life, famous for its unique laterite (red clay) brick houses, some of which are over 400 years old. Visiting Duong Lam allows you to step back in time to see traditional village gates, ancient banyan trees, and communal houses that have remained unchanged for centuries.
Duong Lam Ancient Village is located about 50 km (31 miles) west of Hanoi in Son Tay town. The drive typically takes 1.5 hours. The most convenient way to visit is through a private day tour with Golden Holiday Travel, which includes door-to-door transport, a professional guide to explain the village’s complex history, and a traditional lunch in a century-old house.
Duong Lam holds a unique place in Vietnamese history as the birthplace of two of the country’s national heroes: Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen. Both were kings who led successful rebellions to regain independence for Vietnam. During your tour, you can visit the ancient temples dedicated to these two monarchs, which are significant spiritual sites for the local people.
A typical day tour includes cycling through the narrow laterite alleys, visiting the Mong Phu Communal House, and exploring ancient houses to meet the 15th or 16th generation of families living there. You can also see the traditional process of making “Tuong” (fermented soy sauce) in large ceramic jars and enjoy a rustic meal featuring local specialties like Mia chicken.
Yes, Duong Lam is ideal for cycling. The village is mostly flat, and the narrow, winding paths are largely free of heavy traffic. Cycling allows you to reach the more remote parts of the village, such as the Chua Mia (Mia Pagoda)—which houses 287 beautiful statues—and the surrounding rice fields, providing a peaceful and eco-friendly way to explore the countryside.
As a licensed local operator, Golden Holiday Travel provides access that independent travelers might miss. We arrange for you to have lunch inside an authentic ancient house with the homeowners, providing a deep cultural connection. Our guides act as translators, allowing you to hear the stories behind the laterite walls directly from the elders who have preserved this heritage for generations.
Good to Know
Before travelling to Vietnam, please ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and has at least two blank pages for immigration stamps and visa purposes.
Citizens from several countries, including France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain, can currently enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days. Visa policies may change from time to time depending on nationality and travel regulations.
If you intend to stay longer than the visa exemption period, or if your nationality is not included in the visa-free list, you can apply for an e-visa online.You are also welcome to contact our team for updated visa information and travel assistance before your trip to Vietnam.
Travel insurance is not included in our tour package; however, valid travel insurance is mandatory for all participants joining the tour. Your policy should provide adequate coverage for:
- Emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation
- Trip cancellation, delays, or interruptions
- All activities included in your itinerary, including outdoor and adventure excursions
We also recommend checking whether your credit card offers travel insurance coverage and purchasing additional protection if needed to ensure comprehensive coverage throughout your journey.
The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). While some hotels and tourist-oriented businesses may accept US dollars or euros, payments are generally preferred in local currency.
Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and larger establishments, especially in major cities and tourist destinations. However, cash is still widely used for local markets, small shops, and rural areas.
ATMs are easy to find throughout Vietnam, particularly in cities and popular travel destinations. Currency exchange services are available at international airports, banks, hotels, and licensed exchange counters.
Also, please make sure your banknotes are clean and undamaged, as torn, heavily worn, or marked foreign bills may not be accepted for exchange or payment in Vietnam.
Vietnam is a year-round destination, offering diverse weather patterns across its different regions. In general, spring (February to April) and autumn (September to December) are considered the most comfortable times to visit, thanks to pleasant temperatures, lower humidity, and less rainfall.
As Vietnam stretches over 1,600 km from north to south, the climate can vary greatly depending on where you travel:
- Northern Vietnam: Experiences four distinct seasons, with cool and sometimes chilly winters (December to February) and hot, humid summers (May to August).
- Central Vietnam: Usually enjoys warm weather, though the rainy season typically occurs between September and November.
- Southern Vietnam: Has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year, alongside occasional tropical showers during the rainy season from May to October.
We recommend packing light, comfortable clothing as well as seasonal items suited to the regions included in your itinerary.
International flights are not included in our tour prices, giving you the flexibility to choose the airline and flight schedule that best suit your travel plans and budget. If needed, our travel consultants are happy to assist you in finding the most convenient and competitive flight options.
For international departures, we highly recommend arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight to allow enough time for check-in, immigration procedures, and any unexpected delays or issues that may arise.
If your itinerary includes domestic flights within Vietnam, all flight schedules, airline information, and booking details will be included in your final travel documents before departure.
For a smooth journey, we recommend arriving at the airport at least 2 hours prior to your flight. Please make sure to carry your passport along with your e-ticket or booking reference.
Baggage Allowance: Checked baggage allowance typically ranges from 20kg to 23kg depending on the airline and ticket class, while cabin baggage is generally limited to 7kg per passenger.
Important Notice: Extra baggage fees may apply for your overweight or oversized luggage. We strongly recommend reviewing the baggage policies of your airline in advance, such as Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, or Bamboo Airways.
Please note that domestic flight schedules may occasionally change due to airline operations or weather conditions. Should there be any updates, our team will inform you as soon as possible.
If your journey includes a connecting domestic flight within Vietnam, please keep the following information in mind upon arrival:
- Collect your checked luggage after landing.
- Complete immigration and customs procedures.
- Proceed to the domestic terminal for your onward flight. At some airports, this may involve a short walk or shuttle transfer between terminals.
- Airport staff are usually available to assist passengers, so feel free to ask for directions or support if needed.
Recommended connection time: at least 2 hours 30 minutes
This allows enough time for immigration clearance, baggage collection, customs procedures, terminal transfers, and possible flight delays.
Practical Tip: At major airports such as Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, international and domestic terminals may be located in separate buildings. Please follow airport signage carefully and allow sufficient transfer time.
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Duong Lam Village Day Tour : Step Back in Time to Vietnam’s Ancient Countryside & Timeless Charm