Handicraft Villages Discovery – 1 Day

FULL ITINERARY

Tour route: Hanoi – Tho Ha Rice Paper Village – Xuan Lai Burnt Bamboo Furniture Village – Hanoi

You will be picked up from your hotel by our knowledgeable guide and friendly driver. We’ll head towards Tho Ha Rice Paper Village (approximately 35km ~ 1,5 hours).

Nestled amidst the lush Vietnamese countryside, Tho Ha Rice Paper Village beckons travelers with its timeless charm and cultural allure. Renowned for its traditional craft, this village offers a captivating glimpse into the age-old art of rice paper production. As you wander through its narrow alleys, you’ll be greeted by the rhythmic sounds of artisans skillfully crafting delicate rice paper sheets by hand. The air is imbued with the aroma of freshly made rice paper, tantalizing your senses and inviting you to delve deeper into its rich history. With origins dating back centuries, Tho Ha Village stands as a living testament to Vietnam’s agricultural heritage and craftsmanship. Visitors have the opportunity to witness every step of the intricate process, from soaking the rice to drying the finished product under the sun. Beyond its artisanal delights, Tho Ha captivates with its rustic beauty, adorned with ancient houses steeped in nostalgia and stories of generations past. A visit to Tho Ha Rice Paper Village promises an enriching experience, where tradition meets innovation and every moment is infused with the essence of Vietnamese culture.

Next, we’ll journey to Xuan Lai Burnt Bamboo Furniture Village. This craft has existed for at least 150 years in the village. Xuan Lai bamboo furniture isn’t so different from other villages’ bamboo items except for the dark brown color that gives them a unique look. To have this eye-catching color requires time and a lot of sweat. Bamboos of all sizes are soaked in the ponds for several months to make it more flexible. After that, people will clean, remove the knots, dry, and then scorch the bamboo into kilns made from clay and straw. Decomposed straw is the only fuel for scorching to make sure that there is smoke only (which means no fire). Bamboos are left sealed inside the kiln for at least 4 days until they’re shiny, smooth, and have their famed dark color. Burnt bamboos are ready to use.

Under the skillful hands of village artisans, bamboo will turn into beds, benches, tables, lamps, trays, swings, and even creative bamboo pictures. We’ll return you to your hotel in Hanoi. See you again in the next Hanoi tours!

Estimated Travel Time: 1 hour.