Discover Craft Villages of Chuong Vac Uoc Le and Quang Phu Cau

Early Departure from Your Hotel for a Visit to Craft Villages:

Begin your journey by visiting the incense village of Quang Phu Cau. Incense plays a crucial role in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese, used in traditional and religious rites at temples, pagodas, and homes. Quang Phu Cau stands as one of the largest incense-making sites in Vietnam. Witness the intricate process, from bamboo cutting and splitting to dipping in pink dye, incense paste production, and drying under the sun. Capture picturesque moments with rows of incense sticks laid out in the courtyard for drying.

After a brief drive, arrive at the village of Chuong, renowned for crafting iconic conical hats—a symbol of Vietnamese feminine charm. These hats persist in various aspects of local Vietnamese life. Delve into the heart of the village to discover the art of making conical hats using simple materials: palm leaves, cotton threads, and bamboo frames. During your visit, you can purchase a conical hat as a keepsake of your time in Vietnam.

Next, head to the village of Uoc Le, specializing in the production of pork meatloaf, maintaining the distinctive features of a traditional village: the entrance gate, ancient houses, and market. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch in Uoc Le.

Lunch at a Local Restaurant

Afternoon: Exploring a Lacquer Craft Village:

Visit a lacquer craft village, renowned for over 200 years and located approximately 30 km from Hanoi's city center. The village's reputation stems not only from the unique skills of its residents, who are true artists, but also from the quality of the lacquer used. Products such as bowls, plates, spoons, flower pots, trays, and paintings are sold throughout Vietnam and exported to numerous countries.

As an optional activity, meet a renowned artisan living in the village, who will guide you through various families practicing their art. Visit his workshop for an introduction to traditional lacquer techniques. Witness a demonstration of applying and polishing layers of Vietnamese lacquer, combined with eggshell fragments and mother-of-pearl inlays for intricate designs.

Exercise your own artistic flair by creating your lacquer product with the guidance of the artisan, allowing you to bring home unique souvenirs from your vacation.

Return to Hanoi in the Evening