It was Vietnam's Independence day when we arrived in Hanoi. The streets in the city was busy so we were glad to take the road less traveled and go to Hanoi's country side to do the Bavi Eco Tour and it was all worth it.
The Rich History of Ba Vi District
The history of Ba Vi District dates back centuries, and it is steeped in fascinating tales and legends. From ancient times to the present day, Ba Vi District has been a cultural crossroads, influenced by various dynasties and colonial powers.
Wandering through the district, you'll come across remnants of the past that tell stories of a bygone era. Ancient temples and pagodas stand as testaments to the spiritual beliefs and practices of the people who once inhabited this land. Intricate carvings and ornate decorations adorn these architectural wonders, showcasing the craftsmanship and artistic prowess of the artisans who built them.
Harvesting tea leaves on a traditional 30-year-old Tea Plantation
We started our day early where we were picked up by Trung our tour guide for the day. He was well versed with Hanoi and Vietnam's history so anything that my mom asked he was able to answer to my mom's satisfaction, although she does not look like it on this intense photo
We start at Moc Village which is a small village located in the Ba Vi District of Hanoi, Vietnam. It is about 68 kilometers from the city center and takes about 1.5 hours to get there by car. Moc Village is known for its traditional Vietnamese culture and its beautiful scenery. I arrived at Moc Village around 9:30 AM.
We started our day with a visit to a local tea plantation. The tea plantation is owned and operated by a family who has been growing tea for generations. At the plantation we met Mr. Duoc, a man who works and owns the tea plantation also happens to be one of the soldiers during the Vietnam war.
They showed us how to harvest tea leaves in the traditional way. We used bamboo baskets to collect the leaves and we have to pick them by hand.
After harvesting the tea leaves, we went to the family's small workshop to learn how to process the leaves into tea. The process is very labor-intensive, but it is also very rewarding. We used traditional tools to roll and ferment the leaves. After the leaves were fermented, we dried them again. Once the leaves were dried, we were able to try some of the freshly brewed tea.
It was delicious! The tea had a rich flavor and aroma. I was really impressed by the quality of the tea.
Cooking with a friendly local host
After visiting the tea plantation, we went to the home of a local family for a cooking class. The family was very welcoming and friendly. Our host Mrs. Chin showed us how to make several traditional Vietnamese dishes, including spring rolls and Vietnamese salad.
Vietnamese food is known for its fresh ingredients, complex flavors, and balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements. The cuisine is also influenced by its diverse history, including its French colonial past. Banh mi is one of those cultural influence from the French. It is a Vietnamese sandwich made with a baguette, meat, vegetables, and pickled vegetables.
One of the dishes that we made were Spring Rolls which is a thin rice paper rolls filled with various ingredients, such as shrimp, pork, vegetables, and noodles.
Vietnamese food is typically served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as nuoc cham (a fish sauce-based sauce) and hoisin sauce. Rice is also a staple of the Vietnamese diet.
After the cooking class, we sat down to enjoy a delicious lunch with the family. We ate the spring rolls and Vietnamese salad that we had made in the cooking class. We also had some other traditional Vietnamese dishes. The food was delicious and I really enjoyed the company of the family.
We rested for a bit before we were off to the 2nd half of our adventure. Watch out for the second half!
I hope you enjoyed our Off the Beaten Path Travel Guide to Hanoi!
TTYL