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Hanoi Handicraft Villages
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On the outskirts of Hanoi there are at least 50 handicraft villages, some of which are world renowned for their arts. During a fun and insightful day you can explore and shop at some of the must-see villages such as Bat Trang ceramic village, Van Phuc silk village, Chuong weaving conical hat village…
1. Bat Trang Ceramic Village.
Bat Trang, a small village in the north of Vietnam, is about 13 kilometers south east of Hanoi center, on the other side of Chuong Duong Bridge. It is famous for ceramic and pottery products of high quality.
Bat Trang village is said to be established in 14th or 15th century in several documents. However, according to the villagers, the village perhaps appeared earlier. There are always two stories concerning the village origin. One of these tells that under Ly dynasty, in 1100, when the nation was in its independence and initial growth period, there were 3 scholars who came back from their mission trip to China bringing the ceramic craft industry learned there back to Vietnam and taught the people of Bat Trang. In the other story, in the village history dates back to the 10th century, when King Ly Cong Uan relocated the capital in Thang Long. With the establishment and development of the capital, many businessmen, crafters from many areas come to settle down here to work and trade. In Bat Trang, there was a lot of white clay, so that many potters, among who was Nguyen Ninh Trang family, came and built the kilns here. Accordingly, Bat Trang has gradually changed from a normal ceramic and pottery village into a famous ceramic and pottery centre until now.
Production Process:there are 3 main steps to make ceramic & pottery products:
First step is making the product frame – the artists select the suitable clay, treat it and start making a raw product. It must be repaired to get the best appearance.
Secondly: Decorate and cover it with glazes.
Lastly: The raw products are baked in 3 days and 3 nights. There are several kinds of kiln, yet the temperature must be at 12000 or 13000. After baking, products are brought out, classified and repaired in case there are mistakes. And now we have the perfect product.
Popular product types: Bat Trang products are divided into 3 kinds based on the purpose of use:
– Utilitarian wares: including plates, bowls, teacups, kettles, wine bottles, flowerpots, vases, jar…
– Cult wares: comprise lamp stands, candle holders, incense burner, altar boxes, swords…
– Decorative objects: house models, altars, statues and architectural fixtures.
2. Van Phuc Silk Village
Van Phuc Silk Village is situated on the banks of Nhue Thi River, Nguyen Trai Road, near Ha Dong city, 8 km southwest of Ha Noi. It takes you only 30 minutes by motorbike to go there from the centre of Hanoi. The village has been well known for its traditional sericulture, weaving, and silk products. Tourists coming here are lured by various beautiful shirts, crafts, ties, dresses and many other things made of silk available in the village.
For centuries, silk has always been considered an extreme luxury, on par with rhinoceros horn, ivory and precious handmade produce in Vietnam. It has long been a universal byword of luxury, often worn by the richest, most powerful citizens. Most visitors somehow have heard about the significant role of this kind of material in Vietnam, yet might wonder where the cradle of Viet silk is. The mentioned Van Phuc Silk Village is proud to be the origin of best silk and silk-making industry of Vietnam, which is attached to a long-lasting history of more than two thousand years. Though passing by lots of ups and downs, during the recent years, the village’s craft has enjoyed revival due to a surging demand for silk in both the domestic and foreign markets.
Today, the fine and lustrous cloth that originates from the cocoon of the silkworm is more affordable for “ordinary” folk. Furthermore, silk is currently enjoying a fashion renaissance, particularly since its many varieties can be made into a wide range of designs suitable for all facets of modern life. Should you intend to have a silk pair of formal clothes made, just come here and select your suitable materials, and professional tailors here will bring you satisfaction!
If you are going to buy something from Vietnam as gifts for those at home, silk and clothes made of silk are available around in the village for your choice. Though the days when Vietnam’s silk was reserved for nobility are long gone, what would never change is the sense of romance and luxury imparted by silk, a luminous cloth type. With 2000 years of history behind them, the silk weavers of Van Phuc Silk village are still busy, weaving dreams.
3. Chuong Weaving Conical Hat Village
Located in Thanh Oai District, Ha Tay Province, Chuong Conical Hat Village is well-known for its special product “Non” by many foreign and domestic visitors. This small village is crowded with people who not only come here to place orders but also witness the process of making “Non”.
The main material for making “Non” is palm leaf. Chuong villagers have to choose the white shoots from Phu Tho Province or “Noi” leaf from Ha Tinh Province. Bamboo hammocks and conical hats must be imported from other provinces.
Conical hats are not expensive to make but require certain skills. First, the frame, which consists of 16 bamboo circles polished with a sharp knife, is made. Then young palm leaves are selected and dried. They are left in the open air at night to absorb the mist so that they can be both dried and soft and have a light green color.
“Non Quai Thao”(a kind of conical hat with fringe hanging at both sides) has a unique beauty with pink fringes, 2 yellow and red silk tassels, which is suitable for girls in Spring festivals, village festivities, “Cheo” and “Quan Ho” folk music festivals.
Many Chuong villagers are good at making “Non Quai Thao”, which is a special cultural feature of the Northern delta in Vietnam. The conical makers must be meticulous, skillful and have experience as the process is complicated, including choosing, arranging palm leaves, then stitching them on the conical ring, and sewing colorful thread. It sometimes takes the artisan a whole day to complete a nice “Quai Thao” conical hat.
Write by phanmemgoc