Highlights
- See and learn about the skillful craftsmanship of Vietnamese artisans.
- Unique shopping opportunities that directly support local economies.
Tour Code: RT-306
The Hanoi vicinity has many handicraft villages that you can visit. These villages specialize in a wide variety of crafts ranging from the making of conical 'non' hats to the production of fine lacquer wares. Deep tradition continues to the present day in Vietnam’s famous handicraft villages, and you’ll be amazed by the skill of these artisans. During your Hanoi time, we encourage you to spare at least a day to experience these villages; they are ideal places to visit if you are in love with local arts and crafts, or are searching for an ideal gift or memento of your journey to Vietnam.
DESTINATIONS
- Choose 4 of the major handicraft villages of the Red River Delta
ITINERARY
Meals: lunch | Accommodation: not included
8:30 – Pick up from your hotel. You’ll spend the day to experience handicraft villages around Hanoi. We’ll start with Bat Trang Pottery village - Vietnam’s premier ceramics centre is 15 km northeast of the city centre. While the upper side is quite commercialized and focuses on glazed ceramic items, the riverside ‘ancient’ village leans more towards earthenware and pottery products. There is also a large ceramics market with many small business people selling a wide variety of items large and small.
Next stop is Dong Ho village where the traditional woodblock paintings are preserved. Carved wood is pressed onto prints that illustrate wishes for good luck and typical scenes from rural life. Each painting is completely handmade on paper of the Dzo tree and is coloured with other natural materials and its glittery surface is finished with oyster shell dust.
Back to city centre for lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, you’ll visit a lacquer ware workshop to learn about our centuries-old technique of applying and polishing layer upon layer of varnish from the Vietnamese lacquer tree (Rhus succedanea). Combined with eggshell and mother-of-pearl inlays, the lacquer works of art found here come in thousands of designs and varieties.
Our last village of the day is Du Du Sculpture village; this is a traditional sculpture village offering various kinds of lively and artistic sculptures that display traditional cultural and historic themes. Trip ends at your hotel in Hanoi around 16:30.
