A Day in Ky Son: Biking, Cooking & Herbal Healing

Morning

Depart from Hanoi at 07:30 and enjoy a scenic drive to Ky Son village, where you will arrive at the charming Moon Garden Homestay around 9:00. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed with a local dessert and a refreshing cup of green tea.

At 9:15, begin your countryside adventure with a choice of two cycling routes.

• The short ride (6 km round trip) takes you through the farming communities of Ky Son, Tam Son, Van Minh, and Cham. Along the way, you will visit local families who practice traditional crafts, stop at homes for a cup of tea, and, if open, visit the village kindergarten. You can also walk through the village and even join in seasonal farming activities such as plowing, transplanting seedlings, or harvesting rice, cassava, corn, sweet potatoes, or cucumbers.
• The long ride (12 km round trip) takes you further afield with a local guide, cycling through the same farming villages before reaching Duong Lam Ancient Village. Here, you will visit Mia Pagoda, Mong Phu Communal House, and meet a local family who makes traditional candies, before returning along the ritual paths of Thang Thac village.

At 12:00, join a hands-on cooking class with your hosts, learning the secrets of authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Enjoy the fruits of your labor at 12:45 with a delicious traditional lunch prepared from fresh local ingredients.

Afternoon

After lunch, at 13:30, relax with a soothing hand spa experience, where your fingers are dipped into a fragrant lime bowl followed by a traditional herbal hand massage. You will then have free time to relax further, chat with your host family about Vietnamese culture, or even learn a few Vietnamese phrases from them.

At 14:00, continue your rejuvenation with a warm herbal foot bath, infused with ginger, salt, and mugwort medicinal herbs. While you soak, taste seasonal local snacks such as maize, sweet potato, cassava, peanuts, and traditional desserts.

By 15:00, enjoy some personal free time to wander around Moon Garden Homestay or explore Ky Son village on your own. You may visit the local market or kindergarten (if open) before rejoining your driver for the journey back to Hanoi or onward to your next destination.