Top 10 handicraft villages in Hanoi: the traditional beauty of the capital

With article, we hope that you will be able to plan your visit to these amazing traditional handicraft villages in Hanoi and make the most out of your trip.

With a rich history of more than 1000 years, the capital city of Hanoi is known not only for its old quarter, its delicious specialties but also its craft villages. By visiting these craft villages, you will have the opportunity to discover the craft industry that has been developed for a long time. In addition, you can buy unique products as souvenirs or gifts for your friends and family.

For hundreds of years, these craft villages around Hanoi have been famous for their amazing products! This article will provide you with a general overview of some of the oldest traditional craft villages in Hanoi.

1. Bat Trang Ceramic Village

Location: Bat Trang commune, Gia Lam district, Hanoi city

 Bat Trang Ceramic Village

It is located about 20 km away from Hanoi's old town, the production of pottery and porcelain is the important activity of Bat Trang Ceramic Village. Here you can visit the local workshop to observe the pottery making process and especially try your hand at making your own ceramic products. After finishing, you can take your products home as souvenirs. The price for this service is very affordable. You can also buy ceramic products at the workshop or at the village market.

It is best to arrive in this village at 9 am and stay until 1 pm to enjoy the area. After an excursion, you can have lunch in the small restaurants in Bat Trang craft village. Most of the restaurants are well decorated and make the most of their traditional ceramic products.

2. Traditional silk village of Van Phuc

Location: Van Phuc Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi city

A silk shop in Van Phuc village

Located about 10 km from the centre of Hanoi, Van Phuc is the oldest silk village in Viet Nam. Traditional silk weaving has been developed in this village for over 1200 years. Since the 1950s, the village's products have been exported to European countries and many other countries. Nowadays, more than 100 shops create a "silk city" selling silk products. Van Phuc silk has become the most famous silk brand in Viet Nam.

3. Rattan and bamboo weaving village of Phu Vinh

Loacation: Phu Nghia commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi city 

According to the historical line, the traditional bamboo and rattan craft has existed and developed for more than 400 years. Phu Vinh village was formed in 1700, with the original name is Phu Hoa Trang village (God is endowed with silk hands), because the people here have skillful, skillful hands, good at weaving rattan and bamboo. 

Phu Vinh rattan and bamboo handicraft village

And so, according to the profession “passed down from father to son", the children of Phu Vinh village grew up attached to the rattan tree, bamboo tree, holding the palm of the hand the attributes of each bamboo tree, each rattan fiber. Gradually, bamboo and rattan has developed into a traditional craft of Phu Vinh village. Skilled workers are creating more and more beautiful, sophisticated, and diverse bamboo and rattan products.

In the current trend of natural and anti plastic waste household items, the small products of Phu Vinh village beautify your home. Don't forget to learn several weaving techniques during your visit to this craft village!

4. Chuong Conical Hat Making Village

Location:  Thanh Oai district, Hanoi City

Chuong Conical Hat Making Village is renowned for its unique conical hats which are made from palm leaves and are an important part of Vietnamese culture. Chuong conical hats are not only popular in Vietnam but also in other countries as well. They have become a symbol of Vietnamese culture and are often used as souvenirs or gifts for tourists.

Chuong Village - Home to Famous Conical Hats in Northern Vietnam

Visitors to Chuong Conical Hat Making Village can witness the hat-making process and even try making a hat themselves under the guidance of skilled artisans. The village also has a museum dedicated to the history and development of the conical hat in Vietnam.

5. Thach Xa Bamboo Dragonfly Village 

Location:  Thach That district, Hanoi City.

Thach Xa Bamboo Dragonfly Village is famous for its unique bamboo dragonflies, which are handmade by skilled artisans using traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Bamboo Dragonfly in Thach Xa Village 

The bamboo dragonflies are made from natural materials, primarily bamboo and colors extracted from plants. Each dragonfly is carefully crafted by hand and features intricate details and designs, making them not only beautiful but also unique.

Visitors to Thach Xa Bamboo Dragonfly Village can witness the dragonfly-making process and even try making a dragonfly themselves under the guidance of skilled artisans. 

6. Quang Phu Cau Incense Village

Location: Ung Hoa district, Hanoi City

Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is famous for its high-quality incense sticks, which are made using natural ingredients and traditional techniques. The incense-making process in Quang Phu Cau Village involves several steps, including selecting and preparing natural ingredients such as agarwood, sandalwood, cinnamon, and other aromatic materials, grinding the ingredients into a powder, and mixing the powder with water to form a paste. The paste is then rolled onto bamboo sticks and dried in the sun, resulting in high-quality incense sticks with a pleasant and long-lasting fragrance.

Quang Phu Cau Incense Village

Quang Phu Cau incense sticks are not only popular in Vietnam but also in other countries around the world. They are often used in religious and cultural ceremonies, as well as for personal use as a means of purifying the air and creating a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors to Quang Phu Cau Incense Village can witness the incense-making process and even try making incense themselves under the guidance  of skilled artisans. 

7. Chang Son paper fan village

Location:  Thach That district, Hanoi City

Chang Son paper fan village is a traditional handicraft village renowned for its beautiful and high-quality paper fans, which are made using techniques that have been passed down through generations.

Chang Son paper fan village

Chang Son paper fans are not only popular in Vietnam but also in other countries around the world. They are often used as souvenirs, gifts, or for personal use as a means of staying cool in hot weather. Visitors to Chang Son paper fan village can witness the fan-making process and even try making a fan themselves under the guidance of skilled artisans. 

8. Ha Thai lacquer village

Location: Thuong Tin district, Hanoi City

Ha Thai village is famous for its handmade lacquerware products, which are highly valued for their beauty and durability. Ha Thai lacquerware products are not only popular in Vietnam but also in other countries around the world. They are often used as decorative items or for personal use as a means of adding elegance and style to any setting.

Products in Ha Thai lacquer village

Visitors can witness the lacquer-making process and even try making a lacquerware item themselves under the guidance of skilled artisans. Ha Thai village is a unique and fascinating destination for those interested in traditional handicrafts, Vietnamese culture, and the art of lacquer-making.

9. Dinh Cong Jewelry craft village

Location: Hoang Mai district, Hanoi City

Dinh Cong Jewelry craft village is known for its exquisite handmade jewelry, which is made using traditional techniques and materials. The jewelry-making process in Dinh Cong village involves several steps, including designing the piece, selecting and preparing natural materials such as gold, silver, and gemstones, and then handcrafting the piece using tools such as hammers, pliers, and files. The final product is a unique and beautiful piece of jewelry that reflects the artisan's skills and creativity.

Exquisite Products in Dinh Cong Jewelry craft village

Dinh Cong jewelry products are highly valued in Vietnam for their quality, beauty, and cultural significance. They are often used as gifts for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and other important events. Visitors to Dinh Cong Jewelry craft village can witness the jewelry-making process and even try making a piece of jewelry themselves under the guidance of skilled artisans.

10. Dao Thuc Water Puppet Village

Location: Thuy Lam commune, Dong Anh district, Hanoi Ctity

Dao Thuc is a traditional handicraft village located in the suburbs of Hanoi. The village is known for its unique and beautiful water puppetry, which is an ancient Vietnamese art form that dates back to the 11th century. Water puppetry in Dao Thuc village involves the use of wooden puppets that are operated in water using long bamboo poles. The puppets are intricately designed and painted to represent various characters from Vietnamese folklore and mythology. The puppeteers control the puppets from behind a bamboo screen, creating the illusion that the puppets are moving on their own.

Water puppetry Dao Thuc - a unique folk art form of Viet Nam

Water puppetry in Dao Thuc village is highly valued for its artistic and cultural significance, and it is often performed at festivals and special occasions throughout Vietnam. The puppetry is also considered to be a valuable part of Vietnam's cultural heritage.

Visitors to Dao Thuc water puppet village can witness a live performance of water puppetry and even try their hand at operating the puppets themselves under the guidance of skilled puppeteers. Dao Thuc water puppet village is a unique and fascinating destination for those interested in traditional handicrafts, Vietnamese culture, and the art of water puppetry.

Bonus: Dong Ho folk painting village

Location: Song Ho commune, Thuan Thanh District, Bac Ninh province 

Dong Ho folk painting village is renowned for its unique and beautiful handmade folk paintings, which depict daily life and traditional customs of the Vietnamese people. The folk painting-making process in Dong Ho village involves several steps, including selecting and preparing natural materials such as bamboo and bark paper, creating the design using woodblocks, and then printing the design onto the paper using ink made from natural materials. The final product is a colorful and detailed folk painting that reflects the cultural and artistic traditions of Vietnam.

Dong Ho folk painting 

Dong Ho folk paintings are highly valued for their artistic and cultural significance, and they are often used for decoration, storytelling, and as gifts for special occasions such as the Lunar New Year. The paintings are also considered to be a valuable part of Vietnam's cultural heritage. Visitors to Dong Ho folk painting village can witness the painting-making process and even try making a painting themselves under the guidance of skilled artisans. 

Handicraft villages in Hanoi are a must-visit for anyone interested in the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam. These villages offer visitors a glimpse into traditional craft techniques and allow them to purchase unique and beautiful handicrafts. With this information, we hope that you will be able to plan your visit and make the most out of your trip to Hanoi.

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