8 Must-Visit Traditional Craft Villages in Hanoi

An indispensable destination on a trip to Vietnam, Vietnam's capital is one of the most interesting destinations in the country. A thousand-year-old capital, Hanoi has great historical, cultural, architectural and culinary heritage. Gorgeous, modern, and at the same time very traditional, Vietnam's capital is a fascinating city full of contrasts that we were happy to explore. Today we will explore ancient cultural features that are still preserved to this day , which are unique craft villages.

1. Bat Trang Pottery Village 

The ceramic profession in Bat Trang has existed for more than 500 years. This craft village is considered the cradle of Vietnamese ceramics. With more than 600 kilns still operating, Bat Trang is home to the largest number of kilns in the country. Even today, Bat Trang village focuses almost exclusively on this traditional craft and its marketing. Most households in Bat Trang village are directly involved in ceramic production.

In Bat Trang, there are many shops where you can explore the scale of local production. There you can find vases, jars of all sizes, bowls, plates, saucers, spoons, cups, tea sets, boxes, and more. If you have some time, you can even custom-order it from the factory in a shape, style, and design that suits you. Bat Trang ceramics are a great souvenir from Vietnam to bring back for yourself or loved ones. And that's also a way to support local products and help them continue to function.

For tourists who want to discover the secrets of Vietnamese ceramics, there are pottery classes to participate.

 
Location:  Bat Trang commune, Gia Lam, Ha Noi, Vietnam

>> Read more: Bat Trang ceramics Village

2. Van Phuc Silk Village 

Van Phuc Silk Village is a famous place associated with Ha Dong, Hanoi, featured in many Vietnamese movies and poetry.

In the past, Van Phuc silk was used to make clothes for members of the Hue royal family. Currently, Van Phuc silk is often used as a gift for special events. 

Van Phuc Village has now become one of Hanoi's favorite tourist destinations because of its unique beauty. Visitors can visit the factory to learn about production processes such as gluing, silk sewing, dyeing... Each step must be performed very carefully to ensure the best quality. 

Location: Van Phuc ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi

3. Quang Phu Cau Incense Village 

When visiting the homes of most Vietnamese people, you may have noticed the image of people respectfully holding incense sticks in front of images of Buddha statues or deceased relatives. In Vietnamese beliefs, incense smoke is considered a way for the living to communicate, express affection, respect and send wishes to the deceased in the afterlife.

Almost everywhere in rural areas of Vietnam, there are traditional incense factories. Visiting the handmade incense-making village in Hanoi, Quang Phu Cau is an interesting experience, close to local traditions. For photography enthusiasts, visiting this incense village is a must. Wonderful!

Location: Ung Hoa district, 35 km from downtown Hanoi

4. Dao Thuc Village water puppetry

Dao Thuc Village, nestled in Dong Anh District, is famous for its 300-year-old water puppetry. A villager named Dao Dang Vinh, who fell in love with water puppetry, worked tirelessly to pass down the art to the next generation.

The puppets made by the Dao Thuc villagers are about 30-40 cm tall and made of painted wood. Each puppet represents a famous character from a Vietnamese folktale. Dao Thuc water puppetry possesses a repertoire of more than 20 stories, featuring rural activities: planting rice, plowing, tending buffalos, fishing, dancing, singing, and swinging. Visitors to Dao Thuc Village are treated to lovely performances and poignant folksongs. 

Location: Dong Anh District, Dao Thuc commune, Hanoi

5. Dinh Cong Jewelry Craft Village

Dinh Cong Jewelry Craft Village is famous for its old history of jewelry handcraft sculpturing. Dinh Cong’s products are definitely hand-made with the high skills of silversmiths. The artisans must understand four basic techniques, including smoothing, combining, sculpturing, and pulling. Smoothing is to polish products and create standard shapes. Combining is to join details of products harmoniously and ensure they are well-proportioned. Sculpturing is to draw and carve fine patterns for the silver or gold products. Pulling is to drag hot melted silver as threads, which are as small as strands of hair to make patterns or shapes of animals or flowers for sticking on the products. Only after visiting booths showcasing the complicated techniques of making silver products, looking at young silversmiths passionately learning the traditional career with beads of perspiration on their foreheads, holding and enjoying silver products of Dinh Cong village, will you understand more about the creation and perfection in the silversmith’s hands.
 
 
Location: Thanh Tri district, Hanoi, Vietnam

6. Chuong Conical Hat Making Village 

The conical hat has long been a symbol of Vietnamese people. Chuong hat-making village is located in the west of Hanoi. The craft village has a long tradition of making traditional conical hats. For generations, villagers have quietly worked to keep this tradition and maintain their reputation for producing high-quality hats.

Visiting Chuong village, visitors can observe the process of making conical hats and can participate in making their own hats.

 
Location: Phuong Trung Commune, Thanh oai district, Hanoi, Vietnam

>> Read more: Beauty of vietnam conical hat

7. Quat Dong embroidery village

Quat Dong Embroidery Village is a unique destination in Hanoi for tourists who want to explore traditional embroidery. Quat Dong village is well-known for its beautiful handmade embroidered products reflecting the Vietnamese people and land which are favored by both domestic customers and foreign friends. 
Visiting Quat Dong embroidery village, you will witness the process of creating beautiful works of art and if you want, you can participate in the process of creating these products.

 
Location: Thuong Tin district, Quat Dong commune, Hanoi, Vietnam

8. Vong Green Young Sticky Rice Making Village 

Com Lang Vong is a culinary specialty of Vietnam and Hanoi. This is an indispensable destination for gourmet tourists. This village is famous for its green young sticky rice, which has been included in Vietnamese poetry.
The process of making this special type of sticky rice involves carefully selecting the young, unripe grains of rice, which are then roasted and pounded into a paste. The paste is mixed with pandan leaves to give it a special green color and a fragrant aroma. The mixture is then steamed until it becomes sticky and fluffy. Sticky rice is often eaten with ripe banana slices, providing a sweet and creamy contrast to the rich and buttery flavor of the rice. Visiting Vong village, you will witness the traditional process of making young sticky rice and learn more about the cultural significance of this dish in Hanoi.

 
Location: Vong village, Dich Vong ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi

>> Read more : Want to eat Xoi?

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