Phú Thọ

Day Trips

Begin your morning with a scenic drive from Viet Tri city to the revered Temple of the Hung Kings complex. Ascend the stone stairway through lush pines, pausing at the Gate of the First Kings to admire panoramic forested valleys. Join local worshippers in offering incense and learn ancient legends from a resident guide.

Sample fragrant rice vermicelli and grilled pork at a street stall near the sanctuary entrance. Explore the second temple courtyard and marvel at ornate dragon carvings that date back centuries. Wander along the hillside paths to discover hidden shrines and enjoy the cool mountain breeze.

Stroll the Da River promenade as lanterns light up the water’s edge and local vendors set out their night wares. Sip on sugarcane juice and try bánh cuốn while watching families gather for an evening outing. Return to your riverside hotel for a restful night’s sleep under the hum of cicadas.

Depart before sunrise for Xuan Son National Park and meet your park ranger at the visitor center. Embark on a guided trek through primary rainforest, listening for endemic birds and scanning the canopy for playful gibbons. Reach the first scenic overlook and absorb sweeping views of karst hills rising above emerald valleys.

Settle by the Do Stream waterfall for a picnic lunch of bánh mì and fresh tropical fruit. Descend into Mot Cave to explore its hidden chambers and admire dramatic limestone formations sculpted over millennia. Continue along an elevated boardwalk that winds through ferns and delicate orchids.

Camp beneath a blanket of stars at the park’s eco-lodge campsite and gather around a crackling fire. Share stories over a traditional folk music performance by local villagers. Drift to sleep in your tent to the gentle chorus of night insects.

Tee off at Minh Dai Golf Course, winding through manicured fairways framed by lush mountains. Enjoy a relaxed pace as you navigate picturesque water hazards and tree-lined greens. Refuel with a light clubhouse breakfast overlooking the course.

Venture to nearby Ngoc Thai Cave, where you’ll don headlamps to explore chambers adorned with sparkling stalactites. Learn about local geology from your guide and capture stunning photographs of natural formations. Return to the golf resort for a rejuvenating swim in the pool.

Dine riverside at a floating restaurant on the Da River, savouring grilled river fish and fresh herbs. As twilight falls, admire the reflection of candlelit lanterns dancing on the water. Cap off the night with a leisurely stroll along the resort’s illuminated pathways.

Travel to Thanh Ba district to visit a family-run tofu workshop and watch artisans craft silky tofu by hand. Sample varieties flavored with scallions, chili oil, and fermented soy paste. Chat with local producers to learn time-honored techniques passed down through generations.

Unwind at the nearby Muong hot springs, dipping into mineral-rich pools surrounded by verdant hills. Indulge in a herbal steam sauna and opt for a traditional massage using fragrant lemongrass oil. Sip on jasmine tea as you soak in the serene mountain setting.

Relish a hearty goat hotpot infused with mountain herbs at an open-air pavilion overlooking the springs. Savor tender meat and fresh greens while recounting the day’s adventures. Return to Viet Tri for an evening of rest in your boutique riverside inn.

Start with a guided visit to Phu Tho Museum to trace the province’s history from prehistoric times to modernity. Continue to the Hung Kings Museum to view intricate relics honoring Vietnam’s foundational heroes. Admire traditional Đông Sơn drums on display and listen to multimedia presentations.

Board a wooden sampan for a leisurely cruise along the Da River, observing fishermen tending their nets and water buffalo wading on distant banks. Pause on a riverbank island for a riverside picnic of bánh giò and fresh fruit. Return to town to browse art installations at the cultural center.

Explore the vibrant night market, where stalls glow beneath colorful umbrellas and locals hawk silk scarves, lacquerware, and street snacks. Taste phở cuốn rolls and sip on ice-cold sugarcane juice as you mingle with families. Head back to your hotel for a peaceful overnight stay.

Cycle through winding roads toward the misty Nghi Dua tea plantation, passing emerald tea bushes rolling over gentle slopes. Join farmhands to hand-pluck tender tea leaves at dawn’s cool hour. Learn to sort and wither leaves properly in a traditional processing hut.

Climb to a hilltop pagoda overlooking the plantation for a guided tea ceremony, sampling light oolong and robust black varieties. Photograph the stunning patchwork of tea terraces set against the horizon. Relax on a shaded pavilion deck with a pot of freshly brewed tea.

Dine at the plantation’s eco-lodge restaurant, savoring wild mushroom soup and stir-fried river prawns. Watch the sunset paint the fields gold as fireflies begin to twinkle in the sugar palms. Spend the night in a cozy bamboo bungalow immersed in nature’s symphony.

Arrive in Xuan Vien minority village and be greeted by your host family in traditional dress. Learn the art of rice planting in nearby paddies, feeling the cool mud between your toes. Observe local farmers deftly managing their water buffalo.

Return home to prepare a feast with your hosts: roll bánh cuốn by hand, stir canh cua crab soup, and craft glutinous rice dumplings. Share laughter and cooking tips as regional spices scent the air. Gather around a long wooden table to relish the fruits of your labor.

Partake in a vibrant folk music and dance performance around an open hearth, with villagers playing đàn môi mouth harps and two-string fiddles. Sample home-distilled rice wine as stories of ancestral heroes come to life. Retire to your upstairs guest room, lulled by the gentle croak of frogs outside.

Set off to the 17th-century Giang Mao Communal House, marveling at intricate wood carvings and its solemn courtyards. Listen to tales of village elders who built this communal center to honor local deities. Stroll through surrounding rice fields shimmering under the morning sun.

Head to Mai Hich textile village where skilled artisans spin cotton, dye fabric with natural indigo, and weave patterns by hand. Try your hand at the loom under the guidance of a master weaver, producing a small souvenir to take home. Learn about traditional motifs and their cultural significance.

Enjoy dinner in a villager’s home, sampling cold rice vermicelli salad mixed with herbs, roasted peanuts, and a dash of fish sauce. Sip on scented green tea while chatting about daily life in the countryside. Find rest in a simple guest room, serenaded by distant temple bells.

Launch a kayak at dawn from a quiet riverside clearing and paddle through tranquil river channels flanked by limestone karsts. Spot herons and kingfishers along the riverbank as the morning mist rises. Pause on a pebble beach to rest your arms and observe local water buffalo grazing nearby.

Navigate gentle rapids downstream, feeling the thrill of mild whitewater against the sun-warmed hull. Stop at a hidden cave mouth carved into a towering cliff and explore its cool interior by flashlight. Enjoy a boxed lunch of bánh mì pâté and fresh mango on a shaded riverbank.

Dock at a floating bamboo raft restaurant for grilled river fish and stir-fried morning glory served family-style. Watch the sun dip below distant hills, casting golden light across the water. Return your kayak by moonlight and head to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Venture to Phu Tho Central Market as stalls spring to life with fresh vegetables, dried spices, and handcrafted souvenirs. Chat with vendors who offer local specialties like phở chua and khúc bánh đúc gelatin rice cakes. Purchase woven baskets, lacquerware, and silk scarves to support community artisans.

Enjoy a final feast of Cao Lau noodles infused with local greens, accompanied by a side of crispy spring rolls. Wander through a nearby pottery workshop to see clay vessels formed on a traditional kick wheel. Pack your bags and bid farewell to the friendly hosts who made your journey unforgettable.

Transfer back to Hanoi or the nearest transit hub, reflecting on ten immersive days in Phu Tho’s mountains, rivers, and villages. Savor one last bowl of hot phở from a roadside stall under the flickering glow of lanterns. Arrive at the station or airport in good time, carrying memories of a province rich in history and natural beauty.