FREE Bắc Ninh Tour Review: An Amazing Cultural Getaway!
As soon as I heard Bắc Ninh was offering FREE tours to explore its cultural and historical gems, I jumped at the chance to sign up! Let me tell you, it was an experience I won't soon forget.
Choose Your Adventure: 4 Awesome Tour Options!
Currently, they have 4 incredible tours running, with 8 departures per day! Here's a peek at what each tour offers:
- Tour 1: Bắc Ninh Museum - Bút Tháp Pagoda - Dâu Pagoda - Đông Hồ Folk Painting Village - Đền Đô - Nam Hồng Royal Museum - Vincom Plaza Bắc Ninh - Bắc Ninh Museum.
- Tour 2: Bắc Ninh Museum - Phật Tích Pagoda - Kinh Dương Vương Mausoleum - Phù Lãng Pottery Village - Đền Nguyễn Cao - Diên Quang Pagoda - Vincom Plaza Bắc Ninh - Bắc Ninh Museum.
- Tour 3: Bắc Ninh Museum - Bà Chúa Kho Temple - Lonely Tree - Diềm Village (exploring Đền Cùng - Giếng Ngọc, Đền Vua Bà, Đình Diềm, Bắc Ninh Quan Họ Folk Music Theater, with a lunch break) - Lý Thường Kiệt Temple - Đình, Đền Tướng Quốc, Thánh Quang Pagoda - Bắc Ninh Museum.
- Tour 4: Bắc Ninh Museum - Cao Lỗ Vương Temple - Lệ Chi Viên Temple - Thái sư Lê Văn Thịnh Temple - Đông Hồ Folk Painting Village (lunch and activities) - Đền Tam Phủ - Phù Lãng Pottery Village - Bắc Ninh Museum.
When & How to Join the Fun!
Registration and Tour Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, starting March 8th, 2025, and running through the end of June 2025.
How to Register: Sign up online in advance. When it's time for your tour, pick up your pass and bus number at the Bắc Ninh Museum.
My Experience: Tour 3!
I opted for Tour 3! Since the meeting point was the Bắc Ninh Museum, I made the trip from Hanoi early, leaving around 6 AM. The tour bus then whisked us away to all the amazing sights before returning us to the museum.
Essential Tips for a Smooth Tour:
- Register ASAP! These free tours are super popular.
- Be on Time! The bus leaves promptly and won't wait.
- Bà Chúa Kho Temple (Tour 3): If you plan to make offerings, prepare in advance as it gets crowded.
- Fuel Up! Eat breakfast beforehand and pack snacks. Tours 1 & 2 offer a chance to grab a bite at Vincom.
Cost Breakdown:
- Round-trip Transportation (Hanoi - Bắc Ninh): 280k VND
- Tour Cost: FREE!
- Food & Drinks: Approximately 100k VND/person (depending on your appetite!)
I actually stayed an extra night in Bắc Ninh – more on that in my next post!
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