01 Day - Handicraft Villages Tour in Hanoi

Highlights:
- See and learn about the skillful craftsmanship of Vietnamese artisans.
- Unique shopping opportunities that directly support local economies.

Day 01: Hanoi Handicraft villages ( Lunch included)
Please help us to choose any four of the five handicraft villages listed below and we will organize the day in accordance to your wishes.

01: Ha Thai Lacquerware village: famous far and wide for the distinguished lacquerware made here for over a thousand years.  Ha Thai lacquer products are made with a centuries-old technique of applying and polishing layer upon layer of varnish from the Vietnamese lacquer tree (Rhus succedanea).  Combined with eggshell and mother-of-pearl inlays, the lacquer works of art found here come in thousands of designs and varieties.

02: Bat Trang Pottery village:
1-hour car ride heading northeast of Ha Noi on the left bank of the Red River to Bat Trang Village. The village is surrounded by fertile farmland and well known for its beautiful ceramics. Although Bat Trang is now filled with wall-to-wall shops selling ancient and modern lines in ceramics as this trade is helping to keep the traditional crafts alive. Have a chance to chat with the artisans at work or try sitting behind a potter’s wheel to see how they create ceramic vases and other masterpieces in their kilns. Witness then admire their skills and creative ability. Have one made-by-you to bring home for an unforgettable experience from Vietnam. An out day in the countryside to refresh for your next trip down to the south or up to the far north for more eyed-wide experience in Vietnam. Batrang is Vietnam’s premier ceramics centre.  While the upper side is quite commercialized and focuses on glazed ceramic items, the riverside ‘ancient’ village leans more towards earthenware and pottery products. There is also a large ceramics market with many small business people selling a wide variety of items large and small.

Local Insights:
Witness the local ceramic products for hundreds of year method,Try for yourself making a ceramic item "made-by-you" for your love one,Chance to visit Vietnam's countryside.

03: Dong Ho village: preserves another ancient culture of the Red River Delta.  The village is well known for its traditional woodblock paintings.  Carved wood is pressed onto prints that illustrate wishes for good luck and typical scenes from rural life.  Each painting is completely handmade on paper of the Dzo tree and is colored with other natural materials and its glittery surface is finished with oyster shell dust.

04:  Van Phuc Silk village: this small village once created fine material for the robes of the Royal Court.  These local families have specialized in weaving and dying silk over many centuries, and retain many of the ancient secrets for producing their distinctive and gorgeous fabrics.  Clothing, wall hangings, and other intriguing choices abound.

05: Dong Ky Sculpture and Wood carving village: 20km from the Hanoi centre, this is a traditional sculpture village offering various kinds of lively and artistic sculptures that display traditional cultural and historic themes.  Here, you can learn about the statue or furnitures making process and find your own favorite items to take home.

PRICE PER PERSON IN USD
Price per person: $79

*Price per person above is valid for a group of minimum 2 participants

Included in the tour:
- Meals as specified in the program
- Travel in an appropriate air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver
- The services of an experienced English-speaking guide
- All entrance fees
-  VAT and other taxes

Not Included in the tour:
- Hotel in Hanoi
- Tips and gratuties
- Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
- Insurance
- Surcharge for peak season (Christmas and New Year)