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Ninh Binh is an enticing destination with scenic spots such as Trang An, Thung Nham eco-tourism area, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, ... Besides, Ninh Binh also boasts numerous traditional craft villages with long-standing historical value. Despite the increasingly modern and developed life, the traditional craft villages in Ninh Binh still retain their ethnic identity and attract tourists for exploration.
Explore traditional craft villages in Ninh Binh
1. Van Lam lace embroidery village
Mentioning the traditional craft village of Ninh Binh, this place is considered a leading center for lace embroidery art in Vietnam. The village is located near the cluster of scenic and natural heritage site Trang An, so you can easily visit and learn.
Image: @Idesign
According to the elders in the village, since 1285 when King Tran Thai Tong turned 40, he abdicated the throne to his son and left the royal palace to meditate in the Vu Lam mountains. Following that, Mrs. Tran Thi Dung - the wife of Tran Thu Do, came here and taught the people of Van Lam village how to raise livestock, weave fabric, and embroider in the style of the Tran dynasty court.
Image: @thuonghieuvaphapluat
In the travel experience in Ninh Binh, this craft village has been in existence for over 800 years and still exists today. Throughout this time, the craft has been preserved, developed, and passed down to future generations by the locals. Notably, all families in Ninh Hai own various embroidery frames, from children aged 7-8 to the elderly aged 70-80, who can proficiently embroider lace.
Image: @thongtindoingoai
Previously, the people of this famous traditional craft village in Ninh Binh specialized in embroidering products for rituals and ceremonies such as: trousers, shirts, and hats for the ceremonial team; curtains, banners, and ritual clothing for temples and shrines. Nowadays, the artisans of Van Lam have innovated and created various lace embroidery products such as: bedspreads, curtains, pillows, tablecloths, paintings, photos, ... to enrich and diversify the range of products for customers to choose from.
Image: @Mia
Discover the exquisite art of stone carving in Ninh Van Craft Village.
With a legacy spanning generations, this renowned stone carving village in Hoa Lu district has persevered through the ages. Formerly known for producing items like stone mortars, plant pots, and decorative animals, the village now showcases its high artistic stone products primarily in spiritual and religious tourist spots.
Captured by @baonongnghiep.
Leveraging the abundant stone resources of Ninh Binh and the traditional craftsmanship passed down through generations, artisans in this village can craft large-scale artworks directly in their workshops or cater to clients nationwide. From monumental statues to ornamental fish ponds, spiritual sculptures, the four sacred animals, and fragrant incense burners, the village fulfills diverse customer demands with efficiency.
With his talent, he has not only helped this place develop into a thriving coastal economy, but also established a large-scale bamboo craft village. The development of this traditional craft village in Ninh Binh is on the rise, producing a wide range of bamboo products such as trays, boxes, carpets, handbags, and mats. In addition to domestic sales, they are also exported abroad.
Snapshot: @dulichninhbinh
Products made from bamboo are now not only the main source of income for many households, but also the presence of the Kim Son bamboo brand proves the status of a long-standing traditional craft village. After visiting the craft village, learning about and purchasing products as gifts, it is also very convenient to visit Phat Diem Stone Church nearby.
Snapshot: @tienphong
4. Bồ Bát Ceramics Village
While Bát Tràng Ceramics Village in Hanoi is widely known, this centuries-old pottery village is often referred to as the “cradle” of the famous pottery village in the capital city. The 10th century marked its peak development, where artisans of Bồ Bát Village showcased their extraordinary skills, crafting ceramics with distinctive pure white color, exuding exquisite elegance. Don't miss the chance to explore this place.
Photo: @tainguyenvamoitruong
During the reign of King Lý Thái Tổ when the capital was moved to Đại La, the five prominent lineages of Bồ Bát Village were brought along with the aim of supplying ceramic products to the royal court and the people within the citadel. These artisans settled along the banks of the Red River, establishing the pottery village which today is known as Bát Tràng.
Photo: @Vietnamplus
With such transformations, the traditional pottery craft of this village in Ninh Binh is gradually fading and becoming lost. Going back over a decade ago, efforts to rebuild the craft in the market have gradually reintroduced domestic Bồ Bát ceramic products. The range of products is quite diverse, ranging from household items to decorative and souvenir items such as plates, teapots, flower vases, necklaces, wind chimes, and artistic ceramic paintings.
Photo: @tinhhoanongnghiep
5. Phúc Lộc Carpentry Village, Ninh Bình
Phúc Lộc Village in Ninh Binh is renowned for its ancient carpentry craft. All five hamlets within the village have been practicing carpentry for generations, with approximately 400 people still engaged in this profession. Popular wooden products here include beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs, and doors. All items from the village are handcrafted by experienced artisans, ensuring high quality and exquisite craftsmanship.
Photo: @danviet
6. Vân Long Basket Weaving Village
Basket weaving is not just a longstanding craft but also a lifeline for the people of Vân Long during the years of resistance against the French colonization, when they had to evacuate to various places. Finding refuge in distant lands while having to fend for themselves, they resorted to this craft. During the collective economy era under cooperatives, basket weaving thrived here, with tens of tons of water hyacinth being harvested and turned into thousands of square meters of various-sized mats.
Photo: @nguoiquansat
Nowadays, the craft villages operate on a “10-unit contract” basis, so many families actively participate. Raw materials are sourced from various mountainous regions such as Thanh Hoa, Hoa Binh, or even the remote Hà Tĩnh. Every day, hundreds of thousands of products are loaded onto bicycles, carts, or trucks to be delivered to customers far and wide, across provinces and cities. Although the income is not excessively high, there's a balance between earnings and expenses, and no household is classified as impoverished anymore. Everyone has steady employment throughout the year, enough to support their families.
Photo: @nguoiquansat
Visiting traditional craft villages in Ninh Binh and learning about their unique characteristics helps you understand more about the long-preserved values. Admiring the beautiful scenery and immersing yourself in the culture is the way to develop an affectionate and intimate connection with this historic land.
Hà Lê (Compiled) – us
Photo: Internet
Posted by: Nguyễn Thịnh
Keywords: Traditional Craft Villages in Ninh Binh - where unique essences converge
