Handicraft villages near Hanoi

Home » Destinations » Vietnam » Hà Nội » Handicraft villages near Hanoi

Read more:

The development of technology and the economy impacts significantly traditional production in many aspects. Noodles are made in large production machines. Clothes are made, dyed, and embroidered in a massive garment factory with an advanced machine chain. Therefore, the handicraft method and artisans eventually disappear. In Vietnam, we are lucky enough to have a number of our traditions maintained in many regions of Vietnam, Hà Nội for example with silk, vermicelli, and leaf hats villages. Learn more: Hanoi tours

While there is no shortage of things to do in Hanoi, if you’re interested in the traditional crafts of Vietnam, there are plenty of destinations suitable for day trips.

Chuong leaf hats

Whether they serve as adornments for elegant people, or shelter farmers from the sun, leaf hats have become an intrinsic part of Vietnamese culture and one of the most well-known symbols of the country itself. In addition to the iconic conical hats, Chuong villagers also made various types of headgear for any gender and need. However, as the other hats became subsumed by conical ones and eventually fade out of public consciousness, the village has also adapted by adding furniture-making and decorating Hanoi’s walking streets to their repertoire.

Cu Da vermicelli

Next to the peaceful Nhue river, the village of Cu Da has managed to outlast the ravages of history and earn its status as one of the epitomes of Vietnamese craft villages thanks to the excellent preservation of old buildings. Its architecture stands at the intersection of Vietnam and France; even its two-story houses have European balconies and Asian curved rooftops. The people of Cu Da were famous for many crafts, but in the past thirty years, they have been excelling at miến (Vietnamese vermicelli) production from dong riềng tubers. Although much of the process has been automated, a few households still make these noodles by hand. Their beautiful golden color comes from turmeric, but upon request, they can be left undyed for a more “traditional” translucent, glasslike look. 

You can explore more tours from Ftrip:

Van Phuc silk

With over 1000 years of community expertise, Van Phuc is the oldest and most famous silk craft village in Vietnam for good reason. In 1931, their products were exhibited in Marseille, then Paris, as the most exquisite and beautiful silk in then-Indochina. Even as early as 1958, Van Phuc silk was exported to Eastern Europe, and became synonymous with the famous “Ha Dong silk” in the Vietnamese consciousness. The villagers grow mulberry plants for silkworms to feed on, spin the silk produced by the worms into the fabric, then dye them. The final product is durable, soft fabrics with simple yet diverse and beautiful patterns, cool and soothing to the touch. 

Ha Thai lacquer

For most of Vietnamese history, luxury has been associated with “red lacquer and gilding” (sơn son thếp vàng). The people of Ha Thai made this possible as the go-to for items worthy of presenting to the royal family. Although they only began work in the 17th century, and were by no means the first craft village in Vietnam in this field, in that comparatively short time they’ve created quite a reputation for themselves. Each lacquered creation (the art is applicable to many categories: paintings, furniture, religious items, even pottery) is truly a work of art in itself, having undergone a rigorous nine-step process before arriving in the hands of the delighted consumer. A well-made lacquer painting, for example, can last 300 to 400 years, making the laborious process worthwhile.

Bat Trang pottery

Pottery from Bat Trang has long been associated with a certain standard of quality, with generations of artisans having collectively created a distinctive style. Clay is carefully chosen, formed, decorated, baked, then glazed to create wonderful works of art that will stand the test of time and human usage. In addition to plain brown earthenware, the village is also famous for the “jade glaze”, a glossy green coating, and crackleware, a beautiful interplay of glaze and natural cracks in the clay.

A museum of pottery has been welcoming visitors since 2021. This stunning complex is a group of buildings inspired by potter’s wheels while also resembling traditional kilns. In addition to being an Instagram-favorite spot, the complex seeks to educate visitors about the crafts of the region through the display of pottery by artisans past and present, art exhibitions, a pottery-making, and plaster statue-coloring workshop, and various shops for craftspeople to sell their wares.

Quat Dong embroidery

Villagers of Quat Dong proudly claim their hometown to be the cradle of traditional Vietnamese embroidery. Ever since Le Cong Hanh brought embroidery from China to Vietnam, the village has produced some of the finest artisans: Bui Le Kinh embroidered the royal robes of Emperor Bao Dai and Empress Nam Phuong, and Thai Van Bon became the only Quat Dong person recognized as a National Artisan and renowned for his artwork of Ho Chi Minh. Even in this era of increasing industrialization when much embroidery is done by machines, hand embroidery is still highly valued for the exquisitely delicate linework that machines cannot emulate. Artists are also outsourced for the making of costumes for historical media, period films, and TV shows from China, Japan, and Korea, both thanks to their talent and cheaper costs.

Read more:

Dong Ho folk painting

In 2020, Vietnam filed an application with UNESCO to recognize this art form as one of Vietnam’s Intangible Cultural Heritages. These woodcut paintings have a distinctive, bright color palette of reds, greens, yellows, and blacks, with paints taken from nature – plants, flowers, ashes, and even bronze rust. Even the paper that they are printed on is unique. Artisans take , a soft fabric like paper, and coat them with a thin layer of glue mixed with scallop shells to make them sparkle and retain colors well. The paintings depict subjects near and dear to Vietnamese people: folktales, literary scenes, historical characters, good-luck wishes, and so on.

Thu Sy bamboo fishing traps

Đó is a Vietnamese bamboo tool made for fishing; thin slats of old bamboo are sharpened and woven together to create a basket. Fish follow the current, swim into the basket, and cannot get back out. For two centuries, the people of Thu Sy village, Hung Yen province have been weaving đó. Today, about 500 crafters are hard at work to produce these tools for fishers and home decorators. Most of them have been doing this for their whole lives. They sell two types of đó, plain white or smoked to create an attractive reddish-brown hue. 

Reviewed by

Diep Van

Phone: +84901166884

Email: diep.van@ftripvietnam.com

Diep Van

Founder & Photography Guide

Specialties: Culture, landscape, portrait, hiking, active and adventurous tour

Besides my unlimited passion for traveling, a professional tour guide for over a decade, I have been taking photographs since sitting at Hanoi of the University of Culture in the early 2000s. Photography started as a hobby but it was seriously taken due to my work relations and my significant passion for the beauty of our world, especially in Southeast Asian parts such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Within a few years of taking photographs, my works began to be recognized by many reliable international publications such as AFAR Travel, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph newspaper. In addition, I continuously add to my growing profile by winning numerous major awards: 3rd Position of The Independent Photographer 2018, 1st Position of Amateur Photographer of the year 2018, Grand Prize Winner of the AFAR Travel Photography 2019, and a Gold Award of San Francisco Bay International Photography 2020.

I photograph a wide variety of subjects, from travel to landscapes to street scenes. I enjoy documenting the East’s rich cultural heritage and its land soaked in glorious sunrise or sunset light in remote and secluded spots. And, I am very happy to share my knowledge and experience with you. You can visit Luminousvietnamtour to explore tour!


Cambodia’s years of brutality – The Killing Fields

You can explore more tours from Ftrip: The Khmer Rouge was responsible for one of the worst mass killings of […]

Read more
Laos_monk_almgiving_monk_people_travel_photography_ftripvietnam

All you need to know about Alms Giving Ceremony

Read more: Every dawn in Luang Prabang, the streets are filled with leisurely processions of saffron-clad monks participating in Tak […]

Read more
Laos holiday Packages

Wat Si Saket – The temple with the most ancient statues in Vientiane – Laos

The beautiful and ancient temples of Vientiane, the capital of Laos, have earned the city a reputation for being an […]

Read more
Laos holiday packages

The Temples – Pha That Luang, the national symbol of Laos

Read more: That Luang – Pha That Luang (or That Luang) is located about 3 km from the city center […]

Read more
Mu-Cang-Chai

Where to find the most beautiful lush green and yellow rice terrace view?

The rice terrace fields in Sapa are popular among locals and international tourists but the North of Vietnam has plenty […]

Read more

Y Tý, Lào Cai – A touch on the untouched lands

This article is written for those who travel to search for the off-beaten paths, the unseen lands of Vietnam where […]

Read more
Hanoi Food Tour

Twilight Hanoi Food Tour (vegan & vegetarian food tour available upon request)

Read more: Food is a significant aspect of Hanoi. Tradition, medicine, entertainment, and nourishment come together in one cuisine. New […]

Read more
Saigon Food Tour on a Vespa

Saigon Food Tour on a Vespa (vegan/ vegetarian food tour available)

Beyond the Pho and Banh mi that most foreigners would invariably know, there are Vietnamese delights you may be unable to get […]

Read more
Longer Than a Summer

Longer Than a Summer- A secret Whiskey and Cocktail bar in Hanoi

You can explore more tours from Ftrip: Longer Than a Summer is Hanoi’s hidden gem known for its well-made, craft-infused […]

Read more

Best vegan/ vegetarian restaurant in town

Read more: Eat like a local In Sai Gon, “ăn chay” is popular on the 1st or the 15th of […]

Read more

Quang Phu Cau Incense Village

Read more: Approximately 30 km away from Hanoi Center, Quang Phu Cau village in Ung Hoa District has provided incense […]

Read more

Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang – A touch on the untouched lands

Read more: Vietnam Foods: 20 Dishes You Must Try when You Come To Vietnam This article is written for those […]

Read more
Cao Bang

Trung Khanh, Cao Bang – A touch on the untouched lands

You can explore more tours from Ftrip: This article is written for those who travel to search for the off-beaten […]

Read more
MySon-hollyland-Chamtemple-Quangnam_vietnamtravel-dmc-ftripvietnam

A walk to My Son Holy Land

About 69 km from the bustling beach city of Da Nang lies the ruins of a temple complex: My Son, […]

Read more
Hue Cuisine: Culture & Art

Hue Cuisine: Culture & Art

Read more: Related Tours: Huế cuisine was created by waves of immigrants from the North, the South, and local Chăm […]

Read more

Hue Imperial City & Emperor’s Tombs

You may have heard of Hanoi being the seat of power for Vietnamese Emperors for over a thousand years, but […]

Read more
Vietnam-HoiAn

Follow a local to the cannot miss food in Hoi An

Read more: Through its unique history as a harbor town teeming with merchants, Hội An has developed a cuisine that […]

Read more
What to do in Da Nang in 24 hours

Best things to do in Da Nang in 24 hours

The list below of the best things to do in Da Nang is certainly not exhaustive of everything Da Nang […]

Read more

Mending nets- signature images of Southern Vietnam

You can explore more tours from Ftrip: With its 3444km of coastline, Vietnam lends itself very well to thriving fishing […]

Read more

The Golden Bridge- Đà Nẵng

The Golden Bridge- an impressive architecture of the modern time The Golden Bridge is arguably one of the most famous […]

Read more
Son-Dong

Son Doong cave

You can explore more tours from Ftrip: In 1999, a Quang Binh man named Ho Khanh found a cave entrance […]

Read more

Water lilies in Mộc Hoá, Long An

Read more: When fall comes, buckwheat flowers blossom all over northern region, wild sunflowers dyed Đa Lat in their bright […]

Read more

Best things to do in Siem Reap

Thanks to its proximity to the famous Angkor complex, the Northwestern city of Siem Reap is one of the main […]

Read more
food in Vientiane

Vientiane food: The 8 best food you must try before you leave

The Land of Smiles not only attracts visitors with the welcoming and friendly demeanor of its people but also with […]

Read more
Duong Lam ancient village

Duong Lam ancient village carries stories and histories

Read more: Vietnam 14 Days Itinerary (2 Weeks) from South to North Ha Giang Loop Tour by Motorbike – A […]

Read more

Handicraft villages near Hanoi

Read more: The development of technology and the economy impacts significantly traditional production in many aspects. Noodles are made in […]

Read more

Water Puppet Show

Have you watched the Water Puppet Show before? Like its name, the Water Puppet is a unique Vietnamese traditional art […]

Read more

Hue abandoned waterpark (Thuy Tien water park)

Outside Huong Thuy, Hue, lies the ruins of Thuy Tien Lake Water Park, an eerie post- apocalyptic site, a reminder […]

Read more

Long Bien Bridge

Long Bien bridge, spanning the width of the Red River at over 1.6 km, stands in Hanoi as a symbol […]

Read more

Best place to get tailored clothing in Hanoi

Among visitors to and expats living in Vietnam, Hoi An is known as the place to go for tailored clothing. […]

Read more

Best place to get tailored clothing in Hoi An

Among visitors to and expats living in Vietnam, Hoi An is known as the place to go for tailored clothing. […]

Read more

Best place to get tailored clothing in Ho Chi Minh City

Among visitors to and ex-pats living in Vietnam, Hoi An is known as the place to go for tailored clothing. […]

Read more

Na Hang, Tuyen Quang – An Unseen Land

Na Hang is a mountainous district located within the Na Hang and Lam Binh districts of Tuyen Quang province. It’s situated about 100km away from the city center. This place boasts diverse natural landscapes with majestic mountains and vast lakes. Due to this, tourism in Na Hang has been growing, making it one of the most attractive destinations in Tuyen Quang. To the best of our knowledge, only a limited number of travel agencies include this remarkable destination in their offerings. As a travel agency focused on tailor-made experiences, we take great pleasure in unveiling the undiscovered beauty of Northern Vietnam for your upcoming adventure.

Read more

Vietnam in winter: A complete guide – Weather, festivals, best places to visit

With cultural vibrancy, breathtaking landscapes, and pleasant weather, Vietnam offers an array of experiences that come alive during the winter months. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the weather, festivals, the best places to visit, and what to wear when exploring the beauty of Vietnam in winter.

Read more

Phousi moutain in Luang Prabang- A perfect place to feel warm sunset

You can explore more tours from Ftrip: An Absolute Cultural Exploration & Photography of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Time to […]

Read more

Is 4000 islands worth visiting?

You can explore more tours from Ftrip: Less well-known than the ancient capital of Luang Prabang, or the limestone mountains […]

Read more

War Remnants Museum

You can explore more tours from Ftrip: Although Vietnam shouldn’t be remembered as little more than a battlefield, it’s significantly […]

Read more

French Influence

You can explore more tours from Ftrip: After Saigon was ceded to the French in 1862, the colonial government set […]

Read more

Tràng An Landscape Complex- a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Read more: The Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was recognized by UNESCO as a Mixed Cultural and Natural Heritage of […]

Read more

Cu Chi Tunnel

Read more: Vietnam 14 Days Itinerary (2 Weeks) from South to North A trip to Sài Gòn & the Mekong […]

Read more
sapa vietnam

Trekking through tribal villages in Sapa

Read more: A journey through the villages of Sapa is more than just a chance to immerse yourself in nature. […]

Read more

S-21 Prison – Pol Pot’s secret prison

Read more: The four-year reign of blood by the Khmer Rouge has left indelible marks upon Cambodia. Its policies caused […]

Read more

Angkor Wat – a symbol of history and culture

You can explore more tours from Ftrip: One of the most popular and iconic sites in Cambodia (to the point […]

Read more

What are things in my bucket lists?

Read more: Delve into culture and nature As a nature and culture lover, I would put Northern Vietnam in my […]

Read more

Temple of Literature & Ho Chi Minh Complex

Read more: The Temple of Literature complex in Hanoi has two components: the actual Temple for worshipping Confucius and other […]

Read more

Hanoi Old Quater & 36 streets

Read more: The Old Quarter is, without hyperbole, the heart of Hanoi. From the 11th  century, the city is then […]

Read more
Cafe Phố Cổ Hà Nội

It is all about coffee

Read more: I have heard more than one person say that they only started drinking coffee when they come to […]

Read more