On Saturday, April 16, the Friends of Vietnam Heritage group will organise an excursion to Thành Chương’s Việt Palace, in Sóc Sơn suburban, about 30km from city’s centre.

The excursion will allow attendees to enjoy the Vietnamese countryside and a little-known attraction.

The site is a complex of historic buildings and also the showcase of Vietnamese artist Thành Chương.

In 2001, he acquired the property and spent three years transforming it from a bare hillside into a beautiful environment of historic and reconstructed buildings set amongst lush gardens.

The buildings provide an atmospheric and serene setting for the artist’s paintings and his collection of Vietnamese antiques.

The excursion costs VNĐ320,000 including bottled water, with a limit of 25 people.

To sign-up for the excursion, email Helen at helenshuntley@yahoo.com