Bac Ninh Off the Map: Secret Songs, Sacred Paths & Hidden Crafts
Description
- We are the one and only company to design and operate curated tours in Bắc Ninh City, bringing travelers face-to-face with the region’s living heritage. - Every itinerary is the result of careful research and long-standing local partnerships, so you don’t just visit — you belong. - Our focus is clear: uncover off-the-beaten-path experiences, preserve cultural traditions, and deliver the most authentic encounters with Quan Họ singers, craft villages, and temple rituals. - Expect thoughtfully implemented logistics, respectful community engagement, and stories that stay with you long after the trip ends.
Tour Options
Itinerary
- Built in the early 9th century, this historic temple stands as a silent witness to the early foundations of Vietnamese civilization. - It is a sacred place of worship honoring the kings of the Ly Dynasty, who played a crucial role in shaping Vietnam’s political, cultural, and spiritual identity. - The temple represents a unique symbol of over one thousand years of uninterrupted cultural heritage, blending history, spirituality, and traditional architecture. - As you explore the site, you will admire one of the most ancient architectural complexes in Vietnam, from weathered stone structures to intricate carvings, while listening to fascinating stories and legends that have echoed through the centuries.
- Continue to the Lim Festival, home of Quan Ho folk singing, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. - Here, you’ll meet the “brothers” and “sisters” of Quan Ho, who inherit this centuries-old vocal art. - Join them in exchanging melodic call-and-response songs, feel the harmony of their voices, and learn about their lifelong dedication to preserving this unique Northern Vietnamese tradition.
- The 1,000-year-old Phat Tich Pagoda awaits, once one of Vietnam’s largest Buddhist centers and an important hub of spiritual and cultural exchange. - You’ll walk up four levels on the path symbolizing the journey toward Nirvana. - Along the way, explore sacred temples, admire the statues of 10 sacred animals, and stand before the giant Buddha statue—27 meters tall, 3,000 tons, and honored as a national treasure in 2013. - At the summit, visit Pho Quang Tower, over 5 meters high and home to the ancient relics of revered monks who once lived and practiced here.
- This village is home to two of Vietnam’s most unique and famous handicrafts: Dong Ho folk paintings and Votive Paper. - Follow your guide through each step of creating a Dong Ho painting on Dó paper—from gathering raw materials, processing them into paper, carving wooden blocks, printing colours, to drying and finishing the artwork for display. - Next, visit the Votive Paper village, where nearly every household crafts intricate religious paper items. The lively scene and countless designs will amaze you. - Learn about the long history of votive paper and its deep cultural role in Vietnamese spiritual life. Then, join local artisans to make one yourself as a meaningful souvenir.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
-Our tour guide will send you a message the day before the tour to confirm the pick-up point and number of guests. - You either wait for us in your hotel (if it's inside the Old Quarter) or in front of the Opera House (if your hotel is not). Please be ready by the scheduled time. - In case you don't see the tour guide at such time, contact our hotline immediately: (+84) 965-412-992
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(8)
Had a day trip from Hanoi Old Quarter (picked up by tour group) and visited to Ninh Binh with a few stops in between, led by tour guide Tu -Aquarius. Tour guide was very friendly and always tried to be on time. Aside from weather being too hot and drenched in sweat, the trip was enjoyable for a day trip. Got to see a beautiful side outside Hanoi. 🏞
The experience was really good, we enjoyed the whole tour thoroughly with Mr. Tu. We covered all the places with reasonable amount of time and the guide was really experienced and knowledgeable. He shared so many interesting things about Vietnam.
Wow, today's full day tour with our wonderful guide was definitely the highlight of our trip to Vietnam. Mr Hung (our guide) was such a funny guy, he added much information on the places we visited in a very humoristic way.
An amazing experience in Vietnam. Our tour guide was friendly, professional, and always willing to help. The itinerary was well-organized, and everything went smoothly from start to finish. The accommodations and transportation were comfortable, and we had enough time to explore and take photos without feeling rushed. Overall, the trip exceeded my expectation!!
A wonderful tour to experience Vietnam without filters and away from the beaten path. It is definitely worth going to learn more about the history of the local village, where talented artisans have been passing down their craftsmanship from generation to generation. I especially enjoyed the stamp painting activity, and the best part is that you can take your artwork home with you. The lunch by the river deserves a special mention. The food was magnificently prepared, and everything was clean and tidy. The surrounding nature is beautiful. Our guide was very kind, spoke excellent English, and answered absolutely all of our questions. Highly recommended this experience!
We booked this trip after a friend recommended the agency, and I’m so glad we did! We wanted a quick getaway from Hanoi, so we chose a tour where we got to make our own traditional paintings using stamps and organic paints. It was honestly such a cool experience! Our guide, Hung, was super smart and he knew everything about Vietnamese history and could answer all our random questions about the place and craft. We even made a paper horse (the kind locals burn it for good luck and wealth). The bus was really comfy, which made the travel time fly by. For lunch, they took us to this amazing riverside restaurant. The view was breathtaking and the food was 10/10 there was lots of fresh local food, like beef, shrimp, chicken and veggies. It wasn't spicy at all, and they were really great about checking our food preferences. The highlight for me was the afternoon. We visited a park with a temple and a pond where singers were performing on boats. They were doing this incredible back-and-forth improvising and the atmosphere was just magical. We also visited some older performers in stunning traditional outfits, being that close to the performance felt really special. That was the last spot in a cozy small park near the pond and under the huge old tree. One more spot was very peaceful, there we visited a statue of a huge Buddha, with a breathtaking nature and there was a temple with an amazing view! I loved that the trip balanced history with fun, hands-on activities. Plus, it was totally off the beaten path with no huge crowds of tourists or annoying queues. Definitely a unique find for people who love outstanding trips.
We had an amazing experience with our guide during our two-day visit to Hanoi and Ninh Binh. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive to every detail. He shared so much about Vietnam’s history, culture, and everyday life, and always with a great sense of humor and kindness. Thanks to him, we discovered beautiful places, learned far more than we expected, and enjoyed local food and hidden spots we would have never found on our own. Truly an unforgettable experience — highly recommended!
I just came back from a one-day trip to **Bac Ninh Province** with **Earthy Travel**, and I honestly didn’t expect to feel this moved after such a short journey. Yet here I am, still replaying moments from today with a big smile on my face. Our first stop was **Do Temple**, a place that feels deeply rooted in Vietnamese history and spirit. Walking through the ancient grounds, listening to the stories of the Ly Dynasty kings, I felt a quiet sense of respect and connection to the past. The temple’s architecture, shaded by old trees and surrounded by calm scenery, set a peaceful tone for the rest of the day. One of the most unforgettable experiences was listening to **Quan Ho folk singing**. Hearing this traditional music live—so gentle, soulful, and full of emotion—was truly special. The singers’ voices carried warmth and sincerity, and even without understanding every lyric, I could feel the cultural depth and romance of Bac Ninh. It wasn’t just a performance; it felt like a heartfelt conversation through music. The highlight for me was visiting **Dong Ho village**, where we got hands-on with traditional handicrafts. Learning about **woodblock printing** and **votive paper making** was fascinating. Carving, printing, and coloring the folk paintings myself made me appreciate how much patience, skill, and heritage go into each piece. It was incredibly rewarding to create something with my own hands while learning directly from local artisans who are dedicated to preserving their craft. What made the trip truly exceptional was how thoughtfully Earthy Travel organized everything. The pace was relaxed, the explanations were meaningful, and there was a genuine respect for local culture and communities. It didn’t feel like rushing through tourist spots—it felt like being invited into Bac Ninh’s cultural heart for a day. This one-day trip left me feeling inspired, grounded, and grateful. Bac Ninh may be close to Hanoi, but the experience felt rich and profound. Thanks to Earthy Travel, this wasn’t just a trip—it was a beautiful cultural journey I’ll remember for a long time.
