Perhaps, dozens of activities and destinations in Vietnam are waiting for you to experience and explore, yet in contrast you are looking for something new, different, and more interesting. So what do you think about a visit to the oldest handicraft villages, especially in the northern Vietnam? Certainly, the trip will be an indelible memory of the Vietnam beauty at the rustic villages.
Van Phuc Silk Village – Ha Dong
Van Phuc Village is positioned on the bank of Nhue River, the outskirts of Hanoi City. Dating back over 1,200 years, the village has been famous for its traditional weaving techniques and premium handicrafts made from silk. In fact, roaming around the village, you will feel like getting lost in the kingdom of silk with numerous exquisite products, such as dresses, Vietnamese costumes, shirts, crafts, ties, etc. Another interesting thing found in the stroll is an anciently beautiful painting of the Vietnamese countryside with a village well, a big banyan tree, a communal house, and the serene entrance gate.
Dong Ho Painting Village – Bac Ninh
With the age of many centuries, Dong Ho Painting Village, located on the left bank of Duong River, is viewed as an art symbol in Vietnam culture as well as where excellent art works have been created. Although there were up to 100 households making this traditional craft in the 1950s, nowadays the number is just small. It is known that Dong Ho paintings are like a way for talented artists to speak out their wishes for lucks and a peaceful life. Their themes mainly revolve around the daily life of rural people or Vietnamese folk tales. They are simple but bear deep meanings.
Kim Son Sedge Village – Ninh Binh
Kim Son Village, Ninh Binh Province is endowed with a nice variety of sedge which is totally ideal for making high-quality handicrafts. At the beginning of the craft in Kim Son, people just created sedge mats for their necessary daily life. However, after a long time of this hand-making, they have been very talented to think of and produce the more excellent items which are nowadays supposed to be rural art works. Some of those products made from sedge include unique sedges, handbags, hats, boxes, cups, shoes, and baskets.
Gia Thuy Pottery Village – Ninh Binh
Gia Thuy is a mountainous village in Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province. Here is also a pottery village renowned for elaborate pottery products like pots, vases, jars, etc. It is known that the craft dates back approximately 1,000 years when Ninh Binh was Hoa Lư Capital of Dai Co Viet (the old land of Vietnam). Naturally favored white clay perfect for making ceramics, the village has brought out the quintessence of the age-old craft through clever hands of involved artists. They have used their traditional techniques not only to form a variety of products in unique shapes with ravishing patterns, but also to infuse souls into each of these art works.
Ha Lung Flower Village – Hai Phong
Ha Lung Flower Village is well known through the northern Vietnam; it lies in Hai An District, Hai Phong City. For a trip to explore the Vietnam charms, you ought not to miss out the chance to visit Ha Lung Village since it is home to a rich variety of flowers, some of which are exported abroad, especially to Holland and Eastern Europe due to their high yield and quality. The best time for this visit is believed to be during Tet holiday when flowers are in full bloom of all gardens, making up an enthralling colorful painting amongst nature. Not only that, coming here entitles you to perceive that buying flowers to decorate the locals’ houses seems to be associated with their spiritual lifestyle each time the new year festival is approaching.
