Nam Dinh countryside explorer 2 days tour

Day 1: Hanoi to Giao Thuy

This morning you will meet your tour leader in your hotel after breakfast and head off on the 2 hour drive to the Nam Dinh Area where we reach our local host family mid-morning. Share a refreshing pot of green tea with your hosts and get to know them a bit better, chatting about their daily lives.

Next we head out to help in the farm or garden by tending to the soil and maybe planting some seeds or vegetables. Then you will head out to the rice paddy to continue to assist a local farmer – this time you will be dressing up in traditional Vietnamese farming gear with the hats you will have seen in the movies and boots to help you walk through the mud. You will learn how to plant baby rice or perhaps how to work in the fields with the water buffalo. Later, enjoy a slow bike ride or perhaps a stroll through the village, taking in the peaceful atmosphere as you go.

Have lunch in a local restaurant in the area. Next, we head off for our next activity – a short drive to the city of Nam Dinh. You will stop by the Shore Lake Park and take a few pictures, viewing the statue of General Tran Hung Dao and the stunning Tran Temple. Then, a treat lies in store for you as we head to the Old Quarter, with its charming streets.

Still there are more sights to take in – the Vi Khe bonsai village and its stunning bonsais grown into beautiful shapes – including the impressive Green Temple. We’ll stop off also at the Co Le Pagoda to marvel at its towering beauty and learn a bit about Buddhism before we head to Hai Hau area

We take a tour of the impressive Pham Phao Church so we can see its wooden carvings and stunning interior. Pass by the House Bridge on the way and learn a bit about the local tradition of ancestor worship,

We drive to a homestay in Hai Hau for staying overnight. Jere you have time for a bit of a rest before an exciting traditional dinner and folk songs. Head to bed afterwards in a local homestay and have a well-earned rest!

Day 2: Hai hau –  Xuan Thuy National Park and seafood lunch – Hanoi

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

8.00am : Have a breakfast with local family

Transfer to Giao Xuan area. We willl drive along the dyke to pay a quick visit to a fish sauce workshop and learn how to make it before we continue on our journey on to the Xuan Thuy National Park for a spot of bird spotting and views of the lush landscape around Nam Dinh

We take a boat ride to Clam Hut – here, dozens of families are growing clams and you will have a chance to learn about how it’s done before dining on a delicious lunch of fresh seafood.

After that, we drive 40 minutes to visit the Phu Nhai Church – the birthplace of Christianity in Vietnam. From here, we take a shore drive and pay a visit to the Countryside Museum where we take in a good display about rural life in the region.

Next we head back Hanoi. Tour ends around 4.00pm

Vi Khe bonsai village in Nam Dinh

Clam huts in Xuan Thuy national park in Nam Dinh

Lunch with seafood in a clam hut Nam Dinh