Vietnam is a captivating destination in Southeast Asia renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Among its many attractions, the country is home to several traditional craft villages that have been passed down through generations. These villages boast products that are highly regarded both locally and internationally, providing a glimpse into Vietnamese customs, traditions, and culture. When planning your trip to Vietnam, make sure to include at least one of these remarkable traditional craft villages on your itinerary.
I. 8 Traditional Craft Villages in Northern Vietnam
1. Bat Trang Pottery Making Village (Hanoi)
Highlights: Bat Trang village, located just a short drive from Hanoi, is known for its exquisite ceramics. The village takes advantage of its clay-rich soil to produce fine pottery that is highly regarded by both domestic and international markets. Bat Trang ceramics are used for everyday household items, religious worship, and decorative purposes. Visitors can engage in pottery-making activities, explore the village, and even go on a buffalo tour for shopping and sightseeing.
Location: Bat Trang commune, Gia Lam district, Hanoi
2. Quat Dong Embroidery Village (Hanoi)
Highlights: Quat Dong village, located 20 km from Hanoi, is renowned for its unique embroidery technique. Embroidery is deeply ingrained in the traditions of Quat Dong villagers, who spend countless hours creating intricate and vibrant artwork. The village produces a wide variety of designs, including folktale scenes, flowers, countryside landscapes, and beautiful women. Witnessing the passion and skill of the local artisans is a truly inspiring experience.
Location: Thuong Tin district, Hanoi
3. Van Phuc Silk Village (Hanoi)
Highlights: Van Phuc silk village, established over 100 years ago, is a must-visit destination for silk weaving techniques in Vietnam. The village is home to hundreds of skilled artisans and offers a picturesque setting with its ancient wells, communal houses, and massive banyan trees. Van Phuc silk is renowned for its lightweight and smooth texture. You can witness the entire silk-making process, step back in time, and purchase high-quality handicrafts and souvenirs at reasonable prices.
Location: Van Phuc ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi
4. Kim Son Sedge Mats Village (Ninh Binh)
Highlights: Kim Son village, located 30 kilometers from Ninh Binh city, is renowned for its high-quality sedge handicraft products. The village benefits from fertile alluvial soils, creating an ideal environment for growing sedge plants. These freshly harvested sedges are woven into mats and other products that are not only beautiful but also extremely durable. The variety of sedge products has expanded over time to include lanterns, carpets, boxes, cups, handbags, and more. Make sure to purchase a piece to take home with you!
Location: Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province
5. Dong Ho Folk Painting Village (Bac Ninh)
Highlights: Dong Ho Folk Painting village is a treasure trove for art lovers. Known for its unique folk paintings, the village boasts a small community of fewer than 200 households devoted to the craft. Dong Ho paintings are printed on poonah or Do paper using natural materials, resulting in vibrant colors that beautifully depict Vietnamese customs, festivals, and traditions. Observing the process of creating these intricate works of art is a truly enlightening experience.
Location: Dong Ho commune, Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province
6. Chuong Conical Hat Making Village (Hanoi)
Highlights: No trip to Vietnam is complete without exploring the iconic symbol of Vietnamese women's costumes – the conical hat. Chuong conical hat making village, located on the outskirts of Hanoi, is the perfect place to discover the art of hat-making. Made from palm leaves, silk thread, and bamboo, Chuong hats are known for their stunning designs and durability. These hats can shield you from the rain and sun or serve as a thoughtful gift for friends and family.
Location: Phuong Trung commune, Thanh Oai district, Hanoi
7. Vong Green Young Sticky Rice Making Village (Hanoi)
Highlights: When it comes to culinary culture in Hanoi, one cannot miss out on the delightful specialty of Vong green young sticky rice. This delectable treat is especially popular during the fall season and is often served with ripe bananas. Eating Vong's green sticky rice slowly allows you to savor its fragrance and enjoy its sweet, buttery, and nutty flavors. Visiting Vong village gives you the opportunity to witness the process of making this mouthwatering delicacy.
Location: Vong village, Dich Vong ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi
8. Lang Van Rice Wine Village (Bac Giang)
Highlights: Lang Van rice wine has gained popularity among local wine enthusiasts for its glassy and beautiful appearance reminiscent of sunlight in the summer. This unique wine is made from Golden flower glutinous rice, which is cultivated in the fields of Van Xa village, Bac Giang province. Adding a splash of this rice wine to your meal enhances the overall flavor experience. Lang Van rice wine also makes for an excellent souvenir to bring back from your visit to Northern Vietnam.
Location: Van village, Van Ha commune, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province
II. 5 Traditional Craft Villages in Central Vietnam
1. Bau Truc Pottery Making Village (Ninh Thuan)
Highlights: Bau Truc village, the oldest pottery village in Southeast Asia, is a must-visit destination in central Vietnam. Home to over 400 families, the majority of whom belong to the Cham ethnic group, this village has been producing traditional pottery for more than 200 years. Bau Truc stands out with its modern appearance, concrete-paved streets, and houses with red roofs. The village's pottery products, adorned with simple yet captivating designs, provide insights into the daily lives of the Cham people.
Location: Phuoc Dan Town, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province
2. Yen Thai Poonah-paper Making Village (Quang Binh)
Highlights: Yen Thai village in Quang Binh province has been a hub for papermaking for over 600 years. The villagers specialize in producing various types of paper, including edict papers and order papers. These papers are made from poonah trees, which are abundant in the northern provinces of Vietnam. The process of making these papers involves meticulous steps, from selecting the best materials to pounding and flattening them. Yen Thai paper is widely used for writing Han scripts, printing folk paintings, and creating books.
Location: Yen Thai village, Quang Binh province
3. Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village (Da Nang)
Highlights: Non Nuoc stone carving village in Da Nang is a unique craft village in central Vietnam. With a history spanning over 200 years, the village is dedicated to preserving the tradition of stone carving. What started as a means to produce everyday items such as grain grinders and rice mortars has now become a flourishing industry and a significant source of exports for the city. Non Nuoc village is home to numerous skilled carvers, and you can witness their artistry firsthand by visiting the village and exploring their souvenir shops.
Location: Non Nuoc stone carving village, Hoa Hai ward, Ngu Hanh Son district, Da Nang
4. Kim Bong Carpentry Village (Hoi An - Quang Nam)
Highlights: Kim Bong carpentry village in Hoi An is renowned for its artistic wooden products and rich cultural heritage. With a history dating back to the 16th century, the village fuses Chinese, Japanese, and Cham influences to create unique and exquisite works of art. During your visit, you can observe the skilled craftsmen at work and even purchase small wooden items as souvenirs. The village offers a fascinating glimpse into the traditional carpentry trade and showcases the talent of Vietnamese artisans.
Location: Kim Bong carpentry village, Cam Kim commune, Hoi An, Quang Nam
5. Phuoc Kieu Bronze-casting Village (Quang Nam)
Highlights: Immerse yourself in the world of traditional bronze casting at Phuoc Kieu village near Hoi An. This village has been producing bronze products for centuries, including ancient vases, burners, and lamp holders. It is also renowned for creating the iconic "gong" instruments used by various ethnic communities in Vietnam. Visiting Phuoc Kieu village allows you to witness the entire bronze casting process, while the village artists treat you to mesmerizing bronze musical performances. It's an unforgettable experience that gives you a deep appreciation for one of Vietnam's oldest and most cherished crafts.
Location: Dien Phuong commune, Dien Ban district, Quang Nam province
III. 3 Traditional Craft Villages in Southern Vietnam
1. Tan Chau Black Silk Village (An Giang)
Highlights: Tan Chau village in An Giang province is famous for its exquisite black silk. In the 20th century, clothes made of Tan Chau silk were highly coveted by Vietnamese women. The village's lush mulberry trees, stretching along the riverbanks and fields, create a picturesque setting. Upon your visit to Tan Chau, friendly villagers will gladly guide you through the intricate process of silk production. You can even try your hand at silk turning under their expert guidance.
Location: Tan Chau town, An Giang province
2. Ben Tre Coconut Candy Village (Ben Tre)
Highlights: Ben Tre coconut candy village in the Mekong Delta is an absolute must-visit for those with a sweet tooth. While there are numerous candy villages in the region, Ben Tre stands out as the birthplace of coconut candy craftsmanship. The village's unique candies are made from a combination of sugar, malt, and coconut milk, resulting in distinctive flavors that reflect the rich local culture. Witnessing the traditional manual labor and tasting the delicious coconut candies are highlights of any visit to this village.
Location: Mo Cay town, Mo Cay district, Ben Tre province
3. Ba Dai Ship-crafting Village (Dong Thap)
Highlights: Ba Dai ship-crafting village in Dong Thap province is a testament to the significant role of boats in the culture of the Mekong Delta. With more than 200 families engaged in shipbuilding, Ba Dai village produces up to 10,000 junk boats annually. Ship making in this village has a history spanning a century and is recognized as a national cultural heritage in the southwestern region of Vietnam. Beyond observing the shipbuilding process, you can even try your hand at crafting a souvenir to take home.
Location: Long Hau commune, Lai Vung district, Dong Thap province
With this comprehensive list of traditional craft villages in Vietnam, you now have the opportunity to choose your favorites and incorporate them into your travel plans. Exploring these villages will undoubtedly add sparkle and lasting memories to your Vietnam adventure.
