{"id":10437,"date":"2022-03-07T22:18:07","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T14:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=10437"},"modified":"2022-04-29T11:53:12","modified_gmt":"2022-04-29T03:53:12","slug":"traditional-craft-villages-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/traditional-craft-villages-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Traditional Craft Villages In Vietnam To Explore Local Crafts & Make Your Own Handiworks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Craft villages in Vietnam to explore local arts & culture<\/h2>\n
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International tourists probably remember Vietnam for the magnificent Ha Long Bay, the serene <\/span>Hoi An Ancient Town<\/span><\/a>, or the bustling yet charmingly antique <\/span>Hanoi Old Quarter<\/span><\/a>. Yet as beautiful as these destinations are, they are but a fraction of what Vietnam has to offer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most often, but a short distance away from popular tourist spots, you can find <\/span>traditional villages<\/b> with generations\u2019 worth of expertise in a specific craft just waiting to be discovered. So, if you have an extra day to spare during your trip, consider dropping by one of these <\/span>8 traditional craft villages in Vietnam<\/b> for a closer look into the local culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Bat Trang Pottery Village \u2013 try your hand at making pottery<\/h3>\n
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\"traditional
\n<\/span><\/i>Plenty of pottery products for sale<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @vuducdiem<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

When \u201ctraditional craft villages in Vietnam\u201d are mentioned, <\/span>Bat Trang Village<\/b> has to be the first name that pops up in many people\u2019s minds. Less than an hour\u2019s drive from Hanoi\u2019s center, the village has been the birthplace of meticulous pottery products for centuries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, the village is a well-known tourist attraction near Hanoi. At its center is a pottery market where you can browse all sorts of products, from human-sized vases to small accessories as souvenirs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"bat
\n<\/span>The Bat Trang Museum is a unique structure that resembles potters\u2019 spinning tables<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @nomad_dazz<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to check out the <\/span>Bat Trang Pottery Museum<\/span><\/a>, a unique structure designed to resemble potters\u2019 signature spinning wheels. Though still not fully operational just yet, it has been a favorite check-in spot for many visitors. The building features exhibitions of impressive pottery products, a souvenir shop, and even a caf\u00e9.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"bat-trang-pottery-making\"
\n<\/span>Make your own pottery products<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @lilunabin<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

A popular activity in Bat Trang Pottery Village is making your own pottery product \u2013 a service you\u2019ll find many locals offering at their pottery shops. You can also choose to have your handiwork baked for increased durability, and color it to your liking.<\/span><\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:<\/b><\/span> 20\u00b058’37.6″N 105\u00b055’01.7″E<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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2. Dong Ho Painting Village \u2013 traditional paintings from natural ingredients<\/h3>\n
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\"traditional
\n<\/span><\/i>Dong Ho paintings<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @kukuluuu<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Dong Ho Village<\/b> in Bac Ninh, 35km from Hanoi, is known as the birthplace of Dong Ho paintings \u2013 a form of traditional Vietnamese art. These paintings are printed from wooden molds into a special type of paper made from the bark of the <\/span>Rhamnoneuron balansae<\/span><\/em> tree, known in Vietnamese as <\/span>d\u00f3<\/span><\/em>. The bark is processed with glue and powdered clamshells, resulting in paper that\u2019s very durable and water-resistant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"dong
\n<\/span>The paintings are printed from wooden molds<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> VNExpress<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Dong Ho paintings have bright colors that come from natural ingredients \u2013 black from charcoal, green from leaves, and so on. They depict Vietnamese rural life, sometimes through anthropomorphic animals, to reflect the people\u2019s wishes for peace and prosperity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\n<\/span>Browse for traditional paintings at Dong Ho Village<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @thuongduong_<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Nowadays, Dong Ho Village isn\u2019t a well-known attraction, and there aren\u2019t many services here catering to tourists. However, those interested in Vietnamese traditional arts can drop by to learn more about the process of making these paintings, and of course, buy some if they wish.<\/span><\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:<\/b><\/span> 21\u00b003’41.8″N 106\u00b004’55.7″E<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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3. Van Phuc Silk Village \u2013 oldest silk-making village in Vietnam<\/h3>\n
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\"traditional
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> @khoi.nguyen__<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re done exploring Hanoi\u2019s bustling<\/span> old quarter<\/span><\/a> and sampling the delicious street food, <\/span>Van Phuc Silk Village<\/b> is another destination you can check out right inside the city. This is the oldest silk-making village still in operation in Vietnam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"van
\n<\/span><\/i>Plenty of silk products on display<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @nhat_bun<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Past an ancient-looking gate that serves as the village\u2019s entrance, you\u2019ll find yourself on a street with colorful umbrellas hanging overhead. The street is lined by rows of silk shops, where you can browse products from uncut silk bolts all the way to silk <\/span>\u00e1o d\u00e0i.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"
\n<\/span>See how silk is made on weaving looms<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @mika204ever<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Deeper inside are temples paying tribute to the village\u2019s founders, and exhibitions featuring old weaving looms and other tools traditionally used in weaving silk.<\/span><\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:<\/b><\/span> 20\u00b058’45.1″N 105\u00b046’22.9″E<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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4. Chuong Straw Hat Village \u2013 a closer look into Vietnam\u2019s iconic hat<\/h3>\n
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\"traditional
\n<\/span><\/i>See locals making and selling conical hats at Chuong Village<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Nam Nguyen<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The conical straw hat, or <\/span>n\u00f3n l\u00e1<\/span><\/em>, is an all-too-familiar image of Vietnamese culture. Thanks to being lightweight, easy to make, and offering good protection against both sun and rain, the item is commonly used by farmers and street vendors in their daily endeavors.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"traditional
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> Nam Nguyen<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If you want a closer look into this iconic piece of attire, drop by the <\/span>Chuong Straw Hat Village<\/b>, 30km south of Hanoi, where any citizen can tell you all about the ins and outs of what goes into a quality hat. Many shops here offer conical hats decorated with paintings as souvenirs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"non
\n<\/span><\/i>N\u00f3n quai thao has a flattened shape<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Nam Nguyen<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Aside from the conical hat, you can also find another type of flattened hat called <\/span>n\u00f3n quai thao<\/span><\/em>. Traditionally, these hats were worn by northern Vietnamese women, though nowadays they are mostly only seen in performances or festivals.<\/span><\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:<\/b><\/span> 20\u00b049’34.1″N 105\u00b045’39.7″E<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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5. Thuy Xuan Incense Village \u2013 lovely backdrops for pictures<\/h3>\n
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\"traditional
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span><\/i> Dinh Tuan<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Historically, <\/span>Thuy Xuan<\/b> is the name of a traditional incense-making village in Hue City \u2013 formerly the capital of Vietnam. For centuries, the village provided incense to the royal Nguyen family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"traditional
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> Phuong Dung Nguyen<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Nowadays, only remnants of the village remain, but it\u2019s still a popular check-in spot for visitors coming to Hue. On the way to the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc \u2013 a major historical site and tourist spot \u2013 you\u2019ll come across several households displaying large batches of colorful incense, which make for nice picture backdrops.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"thuy
\n<\/span><\/i>Plenty of photo opportunities<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> @_huyenlinh511_<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For the most part, the shop owners here more than welcome guests to pose and snap at their stalls for free, and some even lend you accessories such as conical hats and hand fans to enrich your galleries. But of course, in return, don\u2019t forget to buy something to support them, even if you don\u2019t really need it.<\/span><\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> 16\u00b026’01.1″N 107\u00b033’46.3″E<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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6. Tra Que Gardening Village \u2013 try living as a farmer for one day<\/h3>\n
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\"traditional
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> @jecup<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Vietnam, famous for its charming ancient buildings and pristine beaches. But 5km from the old town lies a different kind of charm in the form of the <\/span>Tra Que Gardening Village<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The entire area is covered in lush, peaceful gardens, and its close distance from Hoi An means it\u2019s often a good idea to come here by bicycle, as doing so allows you more time to take in the rustic scenery.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"tra
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> @yarrownguyen<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If you stay in Hoi An, many hotels offer one-day tours where you\u2019ll cycle here, experience what it\u2019s like to work in one of the gardens, then sit down for a tasty meal full of freshly harvested veggies followed by a foot massage.<\/span><\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:<\/b><\/span> 15\u00b054’04.1″N 108\u00b020’18.9″E<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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7. Bau Truc Pottery Village \u2013 hand-made pottery with Cham influences<\/h3>\n
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\"traditional
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> Thang Tran<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Next to Bat Trang in the north, the <\/span>Bau Truc Village<\/b> near the southern province of Ninh Thuan is another village with a long history of making pottery products. However, there are key distinctions between the two.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"handmade
\n<\/span>Potteries here are often handmade<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Nguy\u1ec5n Danh<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For one thing, Bau Truc craftsmen and craftswomen do not use spinning pottery wheels. Instead, the clay is set stationary on a table, and the makers will walk around as they shape it. Once shaped, the products are not baked in kilns either. Rather, they are buried under piles of wood and straw, which are then set on fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\n<\/span>The potteries have more subdued colors and bear Cham influences<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span>@mit.sxsx<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This more\u2026 hand-crafted method results in potteries with more of a rough-edged charm than the colorful, sophisticated ceramic of Bat Trang. Often, they have subdued colors such as brown or black. Also, as Bau Truc citizens comprise mainly of Cham ethnic people, the d\u00e9cor on their statues, vases, and bowls are also heavily influenced by Cham culture. Images of Hindu deities such as the sacred bird Garuda or the elephant-headed god Ganesha are not a rare sight here.<\/span><\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:<\/b><\/span> 11\u00b031’46.9″N 108\u00b055’31.0″E<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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8. My Nghiep Traditional Weaving Village \u2013 cloth with unique patterns from ethnic minorities<\/h3>\n
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\"traditional
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span> @ukiyohomestay<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Aside from Bau Truc, <\/span>My Nghiep Weaving Village<\/b> is another traditional craft village that\u2019s become a tourist attraction of Ninh Thuan Province. As the name suggests, the village is home to generations of weavers, many of whom are more than happy to show visitors their workplaces and demonstrate how they use weaving looms to turn threads into pieces of cloth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"my
\n<\/span><\/i>Clothing products from ethnic minority communities have colorful patterns that follow lines<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/i>Image credit:<\/span><\/i> Nguyen Thanh Trung<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

And like its cousin Bau Truc, My Nghiep Village\u2019s products are influenced by Cham culture. You\u2019ll see that the cloth bears colorful patterns that follow straight lines. Of course, many of these fabric products, from scarves to handbags, are for sale.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"traditional
\n<\/span><\/i>Visit workshops to see weavers demonstrate their skills<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit:<\/span> Trang Ngo<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

My Nghiep and Bau Truc are only 4km away from each other, so most often, it\u2019s a good idea to check out both in one trip to experience different local crafts.<\/span><\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:<\/b><\/span> 11\u00b031’17.9″N 108\u00b056’33.8″E<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Check out traditional craft villages in Vietnam for a more localized experience<\/h3>\n
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It is true that not all of these traditional craft villages are tourist hotspots with plenty of attractions to visit, but it is for this very reason that they offer a more authentic glimpse into the daily lives of rural Vietnamese people.<\/span><\/p>\n

So if you\u2019re in for a longer stay in Vietnam, and you\u2019re interested in exploring below the surface level, perhaps these can bring a unique experience few tourists can say they\u2019ve had.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more stories, check out:<\/span><\/p>\n