Option: Private Tour: Visit Cay Thi & Ba Danh Pagodas
Begin your journey at Cay Thi Pagoda, located on the slope of Ngu Mountain, 115 metres above sea level. Follow the mountain slope to the top to the southeast, about 100 metres from the ancient pagoda, to see the tomb of Minister - Doctor Truong Cong Giai.
At the foot of the mountain, to the southwest, 50 metres from the ancient pagoda, is the Temple of Martyrs of Chua Mountain, which marks the heroic sacrifice of 241 main force soldiers, militia, and local guerrillas against the historic second Chanh Che sweep (May 21, 1954) of the French colonialists. In 2010, the Chua Mountain site was ranked as a provincial historical relic.
Admire the characteristic architectural feature of Cay Thi Pagoda, which is the modern style interwoven with tradition, the presence of the East Asian Zen style combined with Vietnamese culture, creating a peaceful and serene Buddhist architectural complex and space. Walk on white gravel roads or stone steps, with rows of pines, junipers, and green gardens on both sides. Pass through the Welcome Guest Hall, the Zen Garden, and Quan Am Pavilion to reach the Ancient Pagoda. Inside is a 2.5-meter high black bronze Buddha statue.
Next, head to Ba Danh Pagoda, located on the bank of the Day River. Initially, Ba Danh Pagoda (or Bao Son Pagoda) was built by bamboo to worship a Goddess who deserved credit for ensuring favourable weather and abundant crop for this region. In the reign of King Le Hy Tong (1675-1705), the pagoda was renovated and embellished. During the resistance war against French Colonial, Ba Danh Pagoda was the gathering place of force, food, weapons for the struggle of local army and people.
Option HALF DAY Group Tour : Visit 2 Villages: Conical Hat and Incense Craft Village + Train Street (optional)
Duration: ~ 6 hours
Morning from 7:45~13:30
Afternoon from 11:45~17:30
Start with a pickup from Hanoi’s Old Quarter and head to Chuong, a village that has been well-known for the craft of conical hat-making for over 300 years. Get an observe how conical hats are made and decorate a hat by painting it then bring it home as a souvenir.
Depart for the Quang Phu Cau village, which has been producing incense for more than 100 years. Take a walk to the centre of the village and see how locals make incense on the artisanal, family scale. Meet a family who specialises in dyeing incense sticks and take in the colourful bundles of incense.
Back to the city centre. First place for drop off: Hanoi Train Street. If you don't want to get drop off here, please wait in the car.
