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Exploring Hanoi tourism, delving into traditional craft villages is one of the captivating destinations, preserving timeless cultural traits.
1. Bat Trang Pottery Village
Located in Gia Lam district, more than 10km from the center of Hanoi, Bat Trang pottery village has existed for over 500 years with its traditional pottery craft. Situated on the left bank of the Red River, the pottery village has become an attractive tourist destination.
Located just 10km from the city center, if you're not traveling by motorbike, you can catch bus 47A at the Long Bien transfer point to go directly to the pottery market or bus 47B which stops at the beginning of the village. Along the way to Bat Trang pottery village, you'll come across numerous well-organized stalls set up at people's homes, these stalls are dubbed as 'VIP booths' by buyers due to their exquisite arrangement under sparkling lights and bright glass doors. But if you're willing to explore, you'll discover unique and high-quality products at more affordable prices at this Hanoi tourist spot.
Venturing further in, you'll encounter the central market with a variety of 'specialty' items from the pottery village, ranging from teapots, bowls, to the tiniest eye-catching decorative pieces. This market area is quite spacious for you to take souvenir photos. However, due to the closely-packed products, space is limited, so be cautious while moving around to avoid accidents.
2. Van Phuc Silk Village
Van Phuc Silk Village is now located in Van Phuc ward, Ha Dong district in Hanoi. Situated about 10km from the center of Hanoi, with the urbanization process, this area has been upgraded with elegant streets, convenient transportation, yet still retains its long-standing traditional features as a Hanoi tourist destination.
Renowned for its silk weaving craft, from quality to exquisite techniques, perfection; Van Phuc Silk Village is not only a place for exchanges, meetings to exchange techniques but also a bustling trading hub for generations. The village's silk products vary in style, color, and utility; from simple, modest designs to vibrant costumes that never lose the delicate, skillful touch of artisans. And you'll surely 'lose yourself' in this soft, graceful silk paradise when visiting Hanoi tourism.
Today, Van Phuc silk is one of Hanoi's specialties as gifts. And Van Phuc village has also become an attractive destination in craft village tours - one of the fascinating tourist attractions for travelers.
3. Chang Son Fan Village
Located in Chang Son commune, Thach That district, the fan-making craft has existed for nearly a hundred years, not only known domestically but also exhibited in Paris.
To get a satisfactory product, choosing the right materials is the most crucial step. Bamboo tubes for fan ribs, rattan fibers for edges, and paper for covering all must be carefully selected, with flexibility, shine, and durability. The paper, once fixed to the fan ribs, will be dried for artisans to paint on. The final step is to apply a glossy coating to the fan to maintain long-lasting and vibrant colors. Chang Son Fan has become a specialty of Hanoi tourism.
Chang Son Fans come in various styles, sizes, suitable for both practical use and high-end decoration. Fans can be used as alternatives to wall paintings in spacious, vintage spaces.
5. Bell Hat Village
Bell Hat Village, located in Phuong Trung commune, Thanh Oai district, nestled by the serene and picturesque Day River, is famous for its long-standing hat-making craft.
The image of conical hats tilting in the afternoon sunlight, rustic, simple, dotting the rice fields or nestling beside the young ladies' slender ao dai, has become an indispensable part of Vietnamese culture in general and the culture in Hanoi tourism in particular.
Bell Village hats are famous not only for their beautiful designs but also for their sturdiness, strength, and durability. Bell Village holds six markets every month, starting from the early morning, attracting the attention of many tourists.
Time may blur the marks on traditional craft villages, but it does not fade the traditional cultural features at Hanoi tourism destinations.
