Discover one of the most colourful and revered Vietnamese pagodas and temples, the Thay pagoda, located 30 km south-west of Hanoi and built in the 11th century.
Thay pagoda is widely known for its Buddha's finely carved statues in lacquer and gold, representing both his past and present form, and its colourful Buddhist ceremonies. You'll take the steep steps up to the main pagoda building, then find a path at the back that loops down past the other two pagodas and wander through the adjacent hillside village. The complex can be rather confusing with lots of hidden corners and smaller parts of the pagoda. Just follow your guide and you'll be able to gain a deeper understanding.
After a full immersion into the local culture and day-to-day life off the beaten tracks, you'll be safely driven back to your hotel in the city centre.