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24/03/2023
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Artisans making a ceramic vase with embossed patterns (Source: Collected)
During your Hanoi travel, Bat Trang Pottery Village is definitely a place that is worth visiting. This is one of the largest suppliers of ceramics in Vietnam, contributing to the preservation of cultural values of the capital. It is also a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors who enjoy the tranquil rustic atmosphere of an old craft village.
1. How old is Bat Trang Pottery Village?
- Bat Trang Ceramic Village history
According to several historical documents, Bat Trang Pottery Village was established in the 14th or 15th century. However, it is believed that the village came into being earlier. As stated in some family annals, this village was formed when King Ly Cong Uan relocated the capital to Thang Long (now Hanoi). With the establishment and development of the capital, many businessmen and artisans from various areas have come to work and trade here. They took advantage of an abundant amount of white clay and water from the Red River to manufacture pottery and ceramic products.
An old picture of Bat Trang Ceramic Village Vietnam (Source: Collected)
- Bat Trang Pottery Village location
The village is located on the banks of the Red River, in Gia Lam district, about 14 kilometers away from the centre of Hanoi.
2. How to get to Bat Trang Pottery Village Vietnam?
Since Bat Trang Pottery Village is conveniently situated in close proximity to the center of Hanoi, you have several means of transportation to reach the village, such as:
- Bus
The bus is the most popular means of transportation to get to the village thanks to its reasonable ticket price and convenience. In order to take buses No. 47A and 47B which heads to the village, you need to get to Long Bien bus stop, located on Yen Phu street, Ba Dinh district. From here, it will take you 40 minutes to get to the village by bus. The bus ticket price is 7.000 VND/person.
- Car
If you choose to go to Bat Trang Pottery Village by car, you just need to follow Ring Road 3, which passes Thanh Tri bridge, and you will reach Bat Trang. There is a spacious parking area at Bat Trang Pottery Market, where you can park your car and freely explore this traditional craft village.
- Ship
Travelling by ship would be a perfect choice for tourists who want to explore the uniqueness of river tours in Hanoi, as well as to admire the splendid riverscape. Nevertheless, this means of transportation is only available on weekends and the ticket price is quite high, which is about 350,000 – 400,000 VND/person.
A Red River boat tour to Bat Trang Pottery Village (Source: Collected)
3. Top 5 things to do on your Bat Trang Pottery Village tour
Bat Trang Pottery Village offers numerous interesting activities for tourists of all ages. Below are 5 must-do activities when you visit this ancient craft village:
3.1. Wander around Bat Trang Ancient Village
Coming to Bat Trang Pottery Village, you will have a chance to admire its unique architecture. You can wander around this wonderful village by buffalo-drawn carts to immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of a traditional craft village.
At the village, it is recommended that you visit Van Van ancient house, a 200-year-old architectural masterpiece, located at the far end of the village. The splendid architecture of this old house leaves numerous tourists in awe. Here, you can admire a wide range of ancient ceramic products, such as vases and pots of the 15th century that were passed down and preserved by many generations.
Note that this antique house welcomes visitors from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm daily.
Van Van ancient house – a treasure of Bat Trang Pottery Village (Source: VnExpress)
3.2. Get hands-on pottery-making experience
Another must-try activity at the village is taking part in the traditional pottery-making process, which will offer you a once-in-a-lifetime experience to become a real pottery craftsman. At a fee of 30,000 – 50,000 VND, you will be given a pottery turntable and a lump of wet clay to freely and creatively mould it into any shape. It is normal if you fail at your first attempt and create some funny-looking object, but remember that you can ask the artisans here to assist you in shaping your own beautiful ceramic product.
Get hands-on pottery-making experience (Source: Collected)
After moulding, your creation will be dried for about 30 minutes before you can decorate it with numerous colors. Finally, your product will be coated with sheen to make it more durable.
3.3. Go shopping at Bat Trang Pottery Market
Bat Trang Pottery Market is a must-visit place for anyone coming to Bat Trang Pottery Village. This market is approximately 6,000 square meters large, divided into small stalls which offer a wide variety of fine ceramic items, ranging from everyday household items, charming ornaments to delicate pottery, such as worshipping items, rockery miniatures, and handmade ceramic pictures. If you want to bring home some sophisticated ceramic products, you should purchase them at Bat Trang Pottery Market, since the prices here are considerably cheaper than in any shop in Hanoi’s downtown.
Local people selling ceramic products at Bat Trang Pottery Market (Source: Collected)
3.4. Visit Bat Trang Pottery Museum
If you want to know more about the cultural and historical values of Bat Trang Pottery Village, Bat Trang Pottery Museum is an ideal place for you. This museum is a part of the Centre for the Quintessence of Vietnamese Craft Villages. It is made up of seven funnel-shaped buildings, with the outer walls carved with multi-layered patterns, making it an extraordinary architectural work. This design is said to be inspired from the pottery turntable, a signature tool of ceramic artisans. Coming here, you can admire many valuable and artistic ceramic items, made throughout the long history of Bat Trang Pottery Village.
The unique appearance of Bat Trang Pottery Museum (Source: Collected)
3.5. Enjoy squid soup with bamboo shoots
Bat Trang Pottery Village is famous for its ceramic products, but few know that the village also offers some special traditional dishes, such as squid soup with bamboo shoots. As its name suggests, dried squid and bamboo shoots are the dish’s main ingredients. Additionally, chicken broth, dried shrimp, and other ingredients are used to create a naturally sweet flavour. This dish used to be a preferred meal of royalty; therefore, if you have a chance to visit Bat Trang, don’t forget to try this exquisite dish.
Squid soup with bamboo shoots – a feature of Bat Trang’s cuisine (Source: VnExpress)
4. How much is a ticket to Bat Trang Pottery Village?
Bat Trang Pottery Village is a promising destination for a wonderful journey around Hanoi, as this ancient village provides visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience with Vietnamese ceramics. It is worth noting that while tickets to this ancient village are free, there are still fees associated with other activities, such as those listed above.
In addition to Bat Trang Pottery Village, there are many other Hanoi tourist attractions that you should take your time to visit, such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, West Lake, One Pillar Pagoda, etc. Moreover, you should also visit VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, which are both located in Vincom Mega Mall Times City and widely regarded as the most appealing attractions in the city for young families and teenagers.
VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, a complex for both entertainment and education
At Vinpearl Aquarium, you can immerse in a colorful world of the mysterious ocean. This place has set numerous records and is now home to almost 30,000 sea creatures. Meanwhile, VinKE is an ideal place for children to try their dream jobs while having fun with their parents.
Book tickets of VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium here
Bat Trang Pottery Village is an ideal destination for travel enthusiasts who want to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of a typical Vietnamese traditional craft village and get hands-on pottery-making experience. Hopefully, this article will help you better plan for a fantastic trip to Bat Trang Vietnam.
