Bat Trang Ceramic Village: Vietnam’s Handicraft Village

Bat Trang Ceramic Village In Hanoi: Vietnam’s Traditional Handicraft Village

Updated: 11/15/2019

Bat Trang Ceramic Village is a small village in Bat Trang Commune, Gia Lam District, Hanoi, Vietnam. It is about 13 km southeast of the Hanoi center and next to the Red River bank. Bat Trang Ceramic Village is one of the most famous traditional handicraft villages not only in Hanoi but also in Vietnam. Visiting the village, tourists will have great experiences and exciting activities.

Bat Trang Ceramic Village is established in the 14^th century under the Ly dynasty. When 3 Vietnamese scholars came back from China, they brought the craft pottery industry to Vietnam and taught the Bat Trang villagers. There are many crafters from other areas coming to the village to work and do business. Nowadays, Bat Trang becomes a famous pottery village with ceramic products such as household ceramics, worship items, fine pottery Art, and decorative ceramics. The products of Bat Trang have high-quality with many different designs and types, and they are exported to many countries including Japan, Britain, Netherlands, Portugal, Southeast Asia, etc. Bat Trang is a place not only to preserve national cultural values but also attract domestic and international tourists.

What Is The Best Time To Visit?

You can visit Bat Trang Ceramic Village every day. It starts from 8 am to 8 pm. You do not have to pay entrance fees at its gate.

What Are Activities For Visitors To Do?

vietnam photos - bat trang ceramic village — Source: duongthuatt.wordpress

Nowadays, Bat Trang Ceramic Village has become a famous destination for tourists who want to learn about the traditional and cultural values of Vietnam in handicraft ceramic products. Visiting Bat Trang Ceramic Village, tourists can participate in some interesting activities such as going sightseeing the peaceful beauty of the village, seeing the process of making pottery, learning to make ceramic products by hand, and bringing your products to home.

1. Go Sightseeing In The Village

Tourists can go sightseeing around the village on foot or a buffalo vehicle. This is an interesting experience of tourists coming to the village. When arriving in Bat Trang Ceramic Village, you can rent a buffalo vehicle to go around the village. The rent for the vehicle is about VND 150,000 to VND 200,000. Certainly, this is the first time you see this vehicle. It is a kind of vehicle moved by a buffalo, and it can contain about ten people. When sitting on this vehicle, you will have a chance to enjoy the peace of the Vietnamese village with fresh atmosphere.

You also go for a walk around the village to see the unique handicraft products. The products including cups, bowls, plates, and accessories sold here are made from ceramic materials. Because the locals are quite friendly and hospitable, you can take beautiful photos even if you do not purchase anything in their shop.

When coming to Bat Trang Ceramic Village, you should not miss two attractive destinations including Van Van Ancient House (Nhà Cổ Vạn Vân) and Ceramic Village. Van Van House displays more than 400 ancient and precious ceramics from the 15^th to 19^thcentury.

2. See The Process Of Making Pottery

Coming to the pottery workshops in the village, tourists will be introduced to the process of making pottery by crafters. To produce a ceramic product, they must follow 3 steps. The first step is to create the frame of the product. The crafters will select suitable clay and then make a raw product. The second step, it will be repaired, decorated, and covered by glazes. Finally, it is barked at a temperature of about 1200 to 1300 within 3 days and 3 nights. After baking, it is brought out and sold. The products become the unique and beautiful artworks which made from skillful and meticulous crafters.

3. Learn To Make Ceramic Products By Hand

When visiting Bat Trang Ceramic Village, tourists will have experiences of making ceramic products by hands such as cups, plates, bowls, and other items. Coming to the Pottery Market, you will have a chance to experience exciting activities. In the market, there are some families providing this service for visitors. The price of each pottery product is from VND 40,000 to VND 60,000. Firstly, the workers will give visitors a moist clay with a turntable. Tourists will make ceramic products which depend on their creativity and skill. Visitors will be guided by craftsmen to do perfect works. Then these products will be baked in 30 minutes and decorated like others pottery products of Bat Trang. You will be brought your products to home.

Where To Eat?

Coming to Bat Trang Ceramic Village, you can enjoy many traditional foods here. The village mainly serves some snacks such as croissant and hot break. The squid soup is one of the specialty dishes which has the flavor of the village. We have another suggestion that after visiting Bat Trang Ceramic Village, you can also enjoy some Hanoi restaurants near Bat Trang Ceramic Village.

Where To Stay?

Because the Bat Trang Ceramic Village is near the center of Hanoi, so there are many hotels for you to choose from. Some suggestions include:

La Paix Hotel: 24 Hang Hanh Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. The price of a room begins at $89/night.
The Lapis Hotel: 21 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. The price of a room begins at $89/night.
Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi: 29 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. The price of a room begins at $89/night.
Sahul Hotel: 684 Minh Khai Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi. The price of a room begins at $89/night.
Garco Dragon Hotel: 765A Nguyen Van Linh Street, Sai Dong Ward, Gia Lam District, Hanoi. The price of a room begins at $40/night.

Other suggestions include O’Gallery Majestic Hotel & Spa, The Ann Hanoi, Sunrise Hanoi Hotel, Gallant Hotel, etc.

Travel to Bat Trang Ceramic Village, you will have a chance to learn about traditional handicraft village and participate in exciting activities. Hopefully, you will find useful information for your trip to Bat Trang Ceramic Village. To know more about attractive destinations of Vietnam, visit our homepage.