Fine Craft Villages and Temples of Tonkin — 1 Day
1 day

Fine Craft Villages and Temples of Tonkin — 1 Day

Fine Craft Villages and Temples of Tonkin — 1 Day

Around Hanoi, the Red River Delta harbors a centuries-old network of craft villages where ancestral techniques of extraordinary finesse have been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years.

This cultural immersion day introduces you to the ceramic masters of Bat Trang, the gold leaf beaters of Kieu Ky, and the traditional woodblock printmakers of Dong Ho, complemented by visits to the historic But Thap Pagoda and the dynastic sanctuary of Dinh Bang.

✦ You will love:

  • Discovery of the pottery workshops and centuries-old ceramic market of Bat Trang.
  • Observation of the meticulous craftsmanship of gold leaf hammering in Kieu Ky village.
  • The delicate art of folk woodblock printing on traditional seashell-powder paper in Dong Ho.
  • Contemplation of the wooden architecture of But Thap Pagoda and the royal sanctuary of Dinh Bang.
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Highlights

  • •Visit to ceramic studios and traditional pottery throwing in Bat Trang
  • •Discovery of rare traditional crafts in Kieu Ky (gold leaf) and Dong Ho (woodblock prints)
  • •Architectural exploration of But Thap Pagoda and the royal temple of Dinh Bang

Greeting at your hotel in Hanoi by your French-speaking guide and departure around 8:30 AM in a private vehicle to explore the artisanal heritage of the delta. First stop at the renowned pottery village of Bat Trang, established on the banks of the Red River for more than seven centuries. Stroll through lanes lined with historic kilns and visit a family studio to observe throwing, shaping, and freehand brush painting on fine ceramics and celadon glazes.

Next, head to the village of Kieu Ky, the only village in Vietnam specializing in the ancient art of manual gold and silver leaf beating, used to gild Buddhist statues and royal lacquerware. Continue to Dong Ho, the birthplace of traditional woodblock folk prints made on sparkling oyster shell powder paper (giay diep), depicting classic motifs of good fortune, prosperity, and harmony.

On the return journey, visit the majestic But Thap Pagoda, a 17th-century architectural treasure famed for its Bao Nghiem stone tower and its thousand-armed, thousand-eyed statue of Quan Am. Conclude with the historic communal house of Dinh Bang and the Do Temple sanctuary, a revered memorial dedicated to the eight sovereigns of the Ly dynasty (1009-1225).

Return to your hotel in Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Travel Log

Selected moments to experience the landscapes, encounters, and rhythm of this itinerary.

Hang BUI
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Hang BUIco-fondatrice & créatrice de voyages

Originaire de Nam Dinh, berceau de traditions au cœur du delta du fleuve Rouge, j’ai grandi avec un amour viscéral pour le Vietnam : pour la poésie de ses paysages — des pitons karstiques du Nord aux méandres fertiles du Mékong —, mais surtout pour l’infinie bonté, le sourire et la résilience de son peuple.

Favorite picks:
  • Partager un thé aux fleurs de lotus au lever du jour à Hanoï
  • Naviguer en jonque traditionnelle dans les dédales secrets de Lan Hạ
  • Contempler les rizières en terrasses sculptées de Hoàng Su Phì
  • S'attarder au crépuscule sur les ponts illuminés de lanternes à Hội An

Du souffle majestueux des pitons calcaires du Tonkin à la douceur nonchalante des arroyos du Mékong, le Vietnam est une terre de contrastes poétiques. Mon bonheur est de vous ouvrir les portes de nos adresses confidentielles et de dessiner pour vous un itinéraire fluide, vivant et profondément humain.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most common questions

Find answers to common questions about this tour here.

Yes, workshops in Bat Trang offer hands-on experiences where guests, both adults and children, can sit at the wheel and shape a piece of clay under an artisan's guidance.

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