Excursion Zen monastery & local village tour at Halong Bay

Experience the insight of Zen Buddhism during this half-day tour.

Giac Tam Buddhist Zen Monastery

Board the coach and drive for approximately one hour and 30 minutes towards the Giac Tam Buddhist Zen Monastery. Along the way, enjoy the views of the scenic countryside of Ha Long, passing villages surrounded by bamboo fences and lime stonewalls.

Learn of the history of Vietnamese's Buddhist Zen, set up by the Tran Kings who destroy the Kublaikhan troop in the 13th century. After their victory, they climbed into this primitive forest and dedicate their life to Buddhism. Visit the monastery; listen to the Zen lesson given by one of the monks as he demonstrates the proper techniques for Zen meditation.

Local Village

Leaving the monastery, drive towards the Limestone Mountains, where you stop briefly for photos, before arriving at a local village and farm. At a local home, chat with the resident farmer, interact with the children and learn of their lives and ways of worship, while you sip a cup of tea. Visit the farmers' gardens, full of fruit trees from the north of Vietnam. Then, reboard the coach for the hour's return to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Ha Long Countryside, Giac Tam Buddhist Zen Monastery, Limestone Mountains, Local Village, Shops, Temples and Homes

Note

Please note: This tour involves moderate walking for approximately 2 hours with optional steps to climb approx. 170 steps with no hand rails. There is a slide path of 300 meters that is wheelchair accessible to the first wing of the monastery than there are 4 steps to climb to the entrance. The ground in the village may be unpaved with an uneven surface. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or for those who utilise a wheelchair. We suggest you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. Please remember to bring your camera. The Zen lesson is given by the monks depeding on their availability, otherwise guides will do the lesson presentation. The drive to/from Halong Bay and the Zen Monasery is approximately 1,5 hours each way and can be uncomfortable due to the local road conditions. Although English is very popular language in Vietnam, local Tour Guides tend to have a strong accent therefore we urge flexibility and understanding.