The outskirts of Hanoi are home to many villages with centuries of tradition in making handicraft items, and Bat Trang Pottery Village is one of the most outstanding names. Bat Trang village is famous as a long-standing pottery village over 700 years old.
Located on the bank of the Red River, in Gia Lam District, Hanoi, Bat Trang can be reached by bus, motorbike, taxi and shuttle bus of Bat Trang Village tours, it is only about 14 kilometres from Hanoi city centre. The ancient village of Bat Trang easily captures tourists’ hearts with its antique architecture and nostalgic vibe. Visitors can also wander around the ancient village and admire the Van Van ancient house, which still has remnants of the past. Van Van Ancient House is a wooden house of 200 years old, a masterwork of architecture with ceramic motifs, blue enamel teapots, dragon vases, ceramic stamping moulds, and other items from the 15th century.
Joining a pottery workshop to make ceramics yourself is a must. Exquisite ceramic and porcelain products moulded from special white clay by the hands of talented artisans will inspire anyone who wants to learn about this elaborate traditional craft. You will find it a little complicated at first, yet exciting and relaxing once you pour your dedication to your “masterpiece”. The product will be dried for you to take home.
Or you can have a short walk to Bat Trang pottery market to buy ready-made items. There are several stalls inside the market that offer a variety of excellent ceramic products, including household items (cups, dishes, etc.), rockery miniatures, ornaments, ceramic pictures, and worship items.
Don’t forget to pay a visit to Bat Trang Pottery Museum, an appealing place for fans of fine arts. The museum, with an unique design of a turntable house, showing the limitless creative spirit of the artisans, consists of 6 floors displaying gorgeous pottery, categorised into collections of distinctive styles. From Bat Trang Pottery Village products, the insightful information about the history and development of the village to exquisite examples of contemporary art.
At the end of the day, treat your taste buds to the diverse culinary offerings of Bat Trang Pottery Village with local delicacies such as the mouthwatering “banh san nuong” and “banh te”, “banh khoai nuong”, Dong Du guava… savour the unique dish of “canh mang muc”, a culinary specialty exclusive to Bat Trang that will tantalise your senses.
(Source: vietnam.travel)