Crafts in Vietnam - Traditional Handicrafts & Workshops

Vietnam’s craft heritage is as rich as its landscapes. From centuries-old villages to buzzing city markets, the country boasts a dazzling array of traditional crafts. You might see artisans weaving luminous silk in Van Phuc (Hanoi), shaping ceramics in Bat Trang pottery village, or painting lacquerware in Ha Thai lacquer village. 

We highlight the must-see craft villages, how to get there, and tips for buying authentic handiwork in our travel diary.

How to Get There

The easiest way to explore Vietnam’s crafts is via Hanoi or Da Nang as base cities. Many famous craft villages are just a short ride from Hanoi.
You can catch Hanoi’s Bus No.19 (or a Grab taxi) to Van Phuc Silk Village, about 10km away. Bat Trang pottery village is similarly 15-20km east of Hanoi (a 30-min drive or local bus).
From Hanoi you can also visit Ha Thai Lacquer Village (~20km south) by taxi or tour. In Central Vietnam, Hoi An’s Old Town itself is a hub for tailors, lantern makers, and nearby Thanh Hà pottery village (3km out). Southern artisans can be found in Sài Gòn’s Chinatown (Bình Tây), or by short trips to the Mekong Delta for mat weaving and incense.

• Nearest hubs: Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport), Da Nang (for Central crafts), or Saigon (Tan Son Nhat).

• Local transport: Taxies, Grab, or even local buses reach most craft villages within an hour of the city. Motorbikes are common for flexible day trips.

  Note: Allow a few days if visiting multiple villages. Tours from Hanoi often bundle Van Phuc, Bat Trang, and others.

Best places for Traditional Handicrafts in Vietnam

Vietnam’s craft scene has something for everyone. Top crafts and locations include:

Van Phuc Silk Village Near Hanoi

• Silk Weaving (Van Phuc Village): Just outside Hanoi, Van Phuc Silk Village (also called Làng Lụa Vạn Phúc) has woven exquisite brocade patterns for 1,200+ years. Watch artisans operate wooden looms to create fine silk scarves, ao dai fabric, and satin. In Hanoi’s Old Quarter (Hang Gai street) and Hoi An market, you’ll find their silks dyed in vibrant colors.

  

  Bat Trang Pottery Village

• Ceramics (Bat Trang & Thanh Ha): Bat Trang (near Hanoi) is Vietnam’s most famous pottery village. Its family kilns produce signature dark glazes and blue-violet motifs. You can visit a potter’s workshop and try the wheel.
  In Hoi An, Thanh Ha Village offers a similar experience - throw clay into vases or bowls and take home your handmade souvenir (village entry ≈20,000VND).

  

  Ha Thai Village

• Lacquerware (Ha Thai Village): South of Hanoi, Ha Thai artisans apply many layers of lacquer, often inlaid with egg or seashell. Every bowl and painting here is exquisitely detailed. Stop at Ha Thai on your way from Hanoi; visitors can even take part in a lacquer workshop (Ha Thai was named an official craft tourism destination).

• Textiles & Embroidery:Beyond silk, Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups create stunning textiles. The women of Sapa or Moc Chau hand-stitch geometric patterns onto indigo-dyed fabric. In markets you’ll find embroidered bags and jackets (the Red Dao’s bold geometric stitching is a standout).
  For a hands-on dive, head to Hue’s villages where blue-dyed Hmong fabrics or bamboo embroidery are made.

  

  the Famous Vietnamese Conical Hat!

• Conical Hats (Non La): The famous non la (palm-leaf hat) is ubiquitous, but it’s still handwoven in villages like To Chuong (near Hanoi). Watching artisans stitch these hats is fascinating - each takes weeks to make by hand.

  

  a Bamboo Village Style Resort in Vietnam

• Bamboo & Rattan Crafts: Everywhere you look, there are hand-woven baskets, rice trays, and chopsticks. At the Bangkok Bamboo Village (Chau Khau near Hanoi), see 80-year-olds crafting exquisite chopsticks and chopstick stands.

  

  Vietnamese Calligraphy

• Calligraphy: During Lunar New Year, street masters (Ong Do) write poetic characters on red paper - a traditional craft in itself. Ask for a custom calligraphy poster in Hanoi’s Old Quarter or Saigon’s “calligraphy streets.”

For something offbeat, try lam ken / bamboo flutes in the Central Highlands, wood carving in Hoi An’s Kim Bong Village, or even Vietnamese puppets (crafted in Hanoi for water puppet shows). These less-known crafts give a unique glimpse into local culture.

Each village or workshop is a living museum of skills passed down generations. Many artisans are happy to chat if you speak (or gesture!) kindly.

Hours/Fees/Tips

• Opening Hours: Craft workshops and village galleries typically open 8am-5pm daily. Markets in villages open from dawn till early evening. Larger craft stores in cities may stay open later (some tailors even work until 9pm). Note: some family workshops may close on Mondays or Tet holiday; it’s safest to visit mid-week.

• Admission Fees: Most craft villages charge no fee to wander streets or watch free demonstrations. Some attractions (e.g. Thanh Hà pottery workshop) charges ~20,000VND to enter. Museums or formal workshops may charge a small ticket.

• Shopping Tips: Haggling is expected in villages and markets; start 20-30% below the asking price. For fixed-price boutiques (like famous tailors or art shops), prices are usually set but always ask if they can bundle items. Beware of fake antiques - buy from reputable shops if looking for antiques or fine crafts.

• Best Time to Visit: Early morning avoids crowds and heat. The dry season (Oct-Apr) is ideal for travelling between villages. The October harvest is especially beautiful. Avoid peak summer rain (Jun-Aug) and Tet week (travel gets tricky, see below).

• Amenities: Villages offer very few conveniences. Pack snacks/water when out all day. Some do sell bottled drinks. Restrooms at tea shops or homestays usually require a small tip. In towns, ATMs are available; elsewhere, carry cash.

• Language: Craft villages often speak only Vietnamese (sometimes just the ethnic language). Learning a few phrases or taking a guide helps. A friendly “hello” and thumb up go far.

• Safety: Villages are safe and relaxed - just treat them like rural towns. Watch your belongings in crowded markets. If you visit by motorbike, note that roads may have loose gravel or water buffalo.

Trip planner

Day Trip from Hanoi:

• 8:00am: Depart Hanoi. Arrive Van Phuc Silk Village ~8:30. Visit the silk gate and watch traditional silk-weaving at Van Xuan or Trieu Van Workshops. Buy a scarf or tunic made from Van Phuc silk.

• 10:30am: Continue to Bát Tràng. Watch pottery artisans make bowls and teapots by hand. Optional: take a half-hour pottery class.

• 12:30pm: Lunch at a local restaurant in Bát Tràng village (try chuối nếp nướng - grilled banana sticky rice, a local specialty).

• 1:30pm: Head to Ha Thai Lacquer Village. Tour a lacquer workshop. Observe the painstaking layering process on boxes or paintings.

• 3:30pm: Return to Hanoi via Chuong My, optionally stopping at To Chuong village to see conical hat making and hearty noodle soup. Back to Hanoi by 5:00pm.

Overnight Craft Tour:

• Day 1: Hanoi → Van Phuc (morning weaving tour). Travel to Mai Châu (lunch en route). Afternoon: catch a ferry across the Red River to Bát Tràng (river taxi is fun!). Visit Thanh Ha pottery near Hoi An (if going south). Overnight in Hanoi or continue south.

• Day 2: Hoi An - spend the morning with a local lantern workshop or visit Kim Bong Wood Carving Village for a carving demo. Afternoon: tailor a custom shirt at Yaly or visit a silk farm. Evening: stroll the night market for final purchases of silk scarves or spices.

Customize these itineraries to your start point. Many tour companies combine these stops, or you can hire a private driver for flexibility.

Wood Carving Village of Hoi An

FAQs

• What traditional crafts is Vietnam known for?
  Vietnam is famous for silk (e.g. Van Phuc brocade), pottery (Bat Trang ceramics), lacquer art (Ha Thai), wood carving, conical hats (non la), and bamboo weaving. Each region has specialities (e.g. lanterns in Hoian, incense in Hue).

• Where can I find authentic Vietnamese handicrafts?
  The best places are dedicated villages: Van Phuc (silk), Bat Trang (ceramics), Hanoi’s Dzo Dong market (Dong Ho paintings), and Hoi An’s old town markets (lanterns, tailor-made silk). Major cities’ craft malls also stock local artisan goods. Always buy from cooperatives or official shops for authenticity.

• How do I visit craft villages from Hanoi?
  Many villages are within an hour of Hanoi. You can hop in a taxi or book a tour. For Van Phuc, buses 19/21A etc. run from Hanoi’s West Bus Station. For Bat Trang, take a short drive east or even a ferry from Long Bien Bridge. Small-group tours from Hanoi will handle transport for you.

• Is bargaining okay in craft markets?
  Yes - most village shops expect it. Start at about half the quoted price and negotiate. However, if a price is already low or fixed (like at Yaly Tailor), bargaining is not appropriate. Always be courteous: remember most items are handmade.

• What makes a craft item “authentic”?
  Look for quality and local symbols. For example, authentic Van Phuc silk has a stamped code on the hem. Handmade pottery has small imperfections (glazed vases are oven-fired). Beware imports labeled “Vietnamese souvenir.” Buying directly at an artisan’s workshop or at village cooperatives ensures authenticity.

• Do craft villages work on weekends?
  Yes, most villages operate every day, though Sunday may be busier (especially markets). Shops usually open 8am-5pm. Some artisans go to market on Sunday instead of working, so weekdays can be quieter for watching actual making.

• Can visitors try crafts hands-on?
  Absolutely! Many workshops (silk, pottery, lacquer) welcome tourists to try the craft for a small fee or free. Weaving a small scarf square, molding clay on a wheel, or learning a basic calligraphy stroke are common experiences. This is a great way to learn about the craft and make a personal souvenir.