Coming Hanoi, you are now considering where to chill out in several days here. You are often recommended by family and friends to the most popular attractions like Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology and do not miss the Old Quarter with Sword Lake inside it… However, if you need a new way of exploring Hanoi and its local life, a tour to craft village nearby Hanoi is not a bad choice. Let us introduce some to you: “Top 3 famous handicraft villages must to see in Hanoi”.
1. Bat Trang ceramic village
The village was documented to be established since the 14th and 15th century at the bank of Red river, however, local people state that this may appear earlier. Its own history was told in two different ways. The first one tells that under the reign of Ly dynasty in 1100, when the nation was in peace and development, there were 3 scholars who returned from their mission trip to China, brought along the ceramic craft industry learnt there and taught this job to Bat Trang people. In the second story, when King Ly Cong Uan relocated the capital city in Hanoi in the 10th century because of its good location for trading and commercial. There are many businessmen, crafters from nationwide coming to settle down in Bat Trang village for their business. In this area, there was a lot of white clay so many potters came and built the kilns here. Gradually, Bat Trang has changed from a normal ceramic and pottery village into a famous one until now.
If you are curious to know the way workers make these ceramic by hand, let’s come and join them for only 13 kilometers south east of the Old Quarter. Be aware that this is a manual job with clay and colors so you should wear casual clothes for your comfort. If you find it too difficult to complete your creative product, do not hesitate to ask for their help. After you finish making your ceramic stuff, it’s time to shop around in the porcelain ceramic market nearby while waiting for your product to be dried.
This market is a paradise of ceramic including ceramic tile painting, flower vases, tea pots and cups, bowls, plates, spoons, even ceramic animals like dogs, cats, ducks. The price is very reasonable comparing to exported products from the same brand name. Do bargaining for some great deals while shopping. You will have many souvenirs.
2. Van Phuc silk village
Van Phuc is a village traditionally associated with silk weaving in Ha Dong, 8 km south-west of Hanoi. At the age of more than 1,200 years, Van Phuc is proud to be the most ancient silk village which provides the best silk in Vietnam.
Until now, Van Phuc still protects and remains many things that are characteristic of a thousand – years – old village lying on the side of Nhue River. Visitors to Van Phuc village will be impressed by banyan tree, well, communal house, and the sound of power-looms everywhere.
Coming to Van Phuc village, tourists will be lost in the world of silk with various products like shirts, ties, crafts, dresses… made of silk available in the village. With the amount money of 200,000vnd or 300,000 vnd you have got a cheongsam or blouse from premium silk.
However, the most attractive thing here is that people have chance to see old looms in operation. Despite the fact that the residents need modern weaving machines for production requirement, many of them still keep these old ones as a proof of history.
3. Dong Ho – painting village
Dong Ho Village with its famous paintings has become an aesthetic symbol in Vietnam culture. Dong Ho stood for centuries making their unique art work. From over 100 families in the 1950s, currently there are only a handful of families still making the traditional craft.
Located in Bac Ninh province, around one hour drive from Hanoi city, visitors coming to this small village will have the chance to learn more about the ancient art form of woodblock printing and the unique art of making Dong Ho paintings that once had been a must-have item for decoration during Tet holidays in most households of Vietnam. For day tours visiting Dong Ho village, tourists might want to take a look at this one-day tour from Hanoi.
To see more traditional handicraft villages tour packages around Hanoi 1 day. Please, click at this link : Handicraft villages tour packages around Hanoi 1 day
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