Handicraft villages day trip

We leave Hanoi at 8am and drive toBat Trang where we can see firsthand the ancient art of ceramic making at a workshop. Many of the families producing these fine works of art have been doing so for at least 400 years.

From Bat Trang we return to Hanoi and head south to the village of Duyen Thai, which specializes in making lacquered bamboo products. Nearby is Bang So village, which produces bamboo and rattan goods. We then find a shady place to enjoy our picnic lunch.

Following lunch, we head to the embroidery village of Quat Dong to visit another family workshop. In times past many of the Vietnamese Emperors and courtiers had their elaborate costumes created here. Nowadays the village makes most of the material that is sold on Hanoi famous Hang Gai Street.

Our final stop is at the Chuon village, also known as the Mother of Pearl village. Here we discover the intricate and time-consuming art of mother of pearl inlay in objects as diverse as cupboards and jewelry boxes.

From Chuon we make the return journey to Hanoi where we should arrive no later than 6pm.