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Hanoi Artisan Day Tour: Silk Weaving, Wood Carving & Bamboo Dragonfly Making

5.0 (6 Reviews)

Duration: Full day

Start: Hanoi

Tour code: HN-3VILLAGES-04

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Overview

Discover the craft traditions that have shaped Vietnamese village life for centuries on this full-day private tour from Hanoi. Visiting three working artisan communities — each with a distinct trade and a heritage spanning generations — this is one of the most culturally immersive day trips available from the capital.

At Van Phuc Silk Village, watch master weavers transform raw silk into lustrous fabric on traditional looms, in a community supplying Vietnamese royalty for over 1,200 years. At Son Dong Village, step inside family workshops where jackfruit-wood sculptures are hand-carved, lacquered, and gilded with gold leaf, a process recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records. At Thach Xa Village, try your hand at making a bamboo dragonfly, a centuries-old folk toy, and take your finished piece home.

The day ends at Tay Phuong Pagoda — an 8th-century National Special Relic whose 18 Arhat sculptures are considered the pinnacle of Vietnamese sculptural art.

Van Phuc Silk Village: Explore a 1,200-year-old weaving community once supplying the royal Nguyen court — the first Vietnamese textile ever showcased in Europe
Son Dong Wood Carving: Step inside active family workshops at Vietnam's largest producer of Buddhist sculptures and watch intricate gold-leaf gilding applied by hand
Thach Xa Bamboo Dragonfly: Craft your own traditional bamboo dragonfly using a centuries-old balancing technique — and take it home as a handmade souvenir
Tay Phuong Pagoda: Climb 239 stone steps to an 8th-century National Special Relic housing 18 Arhat statues, designated a National Treasure in 2015, with panoramic Red River Delta views
Three Villages, One Day: Experience silk weaving, sacred wood carving, and bamboo folk craft — three of Vietnam's most significant living heritage traditions — in a single full-day journey

Places you’ll see

Hanoi

Itinerary

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08:30 AM — Hotel Pickup

Your private, air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel lobby. This is a fully private tour — no shared minibuses, no fixed group schedule. The journey southwest from Hanoi takes approximately 30 minutes, passing through wide boulevards, banyan-lined lanes, and the scenic Nhue River corridor.

09:00 – 10:30 — Van Phuc Silk Village

Van Phuc is Vietnam's oldest continuously operating silk weaving community, with a heritage dating back over 1,200 years to the 9th century. The village's signature product — van silk — is a double-sided fabric prized for its natural sheen, its ability to keep wearers cool in summer and warm in winter, and its extraordinary precision of weave.

Guests will walk through the main weaving street, where nearly 800 households operate traditional and modern looms side by side. The rhythmic sound of the looms is as much a part of Van Phuc as the silk itself.

Historical significance: During the Nguyen Dynasty, Van Phuc silk was supplied to the royal court in Hue. In the 1930s, it was exhibited in Marseille and Paris — the first Vietnamese textile to receive international recognition in Europe.

Your experience includes:

Observing the complete weaving process, from raw silk thread to finished fabric

Shopping directly from local weavers (scarves, áo dài lengths, ties, and accessories)

Visiting the ancient Van Phuc Communal House at the village centre

11:00 – 12:30 — Son Dong Wood Carving Village

From silk to something altogether more sacred — your next stop is where Vietnam's most revered religious sculptures are born, one careful chisel stroke at a time.

Recognised by the Vietnam Book of Records as the country's largest producer of Buddhist statues and religious worship objects, Son Dong Village in Hoai Duc District supplies over half of Vietnam's domestic market for temple sculptures, altar panels, and gilded deity figures.

The primary material is jackfruit wood, selected for its softness, durability, and natural moisture resistance. Artisans work through a meticulous multi-stage process — carving, sanding, lacquering, re-sanding — repeated across many layers before gold leaf is applied by hand. A single masterwork statue can represent one month of skilled labour.

Your experience includes:

Walking through active family workshops

Witnessing the full lacquering and gold-leaf gilding process

Direct interaction with artisans, many of whom represent families practising this craft across multiple generations

12:30 – 13:30 — Lunch

Enjoy a sit-down lunch at a family-run countryside restaurant. The menu reflects traditional northern Vietnamese home cooking: bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls with wood-ear mushroom and minced pork), slow-braised pork with fermented mustard greens, fresh herb platters, and steamed rice.

14:00 – 15:00 — Thach Xa Bamboo Dragonfly Village

Thach Xa Village is the home of the Vietnamese bamboo dragonfly (chuồn chuồn tre) — a traditional folk toy that has been handcrafted here for centuries. Each dragonfly is hand-split, hand-carved, and balanced using a three-point principle — beak, wings, and tail — that allows it to rest perfectly still on a fingertip or the rim of any surface without adhesive or weighting of any kind.

Your experience includes:

A hands-on dragonfly-making session guided by a local artisan

Guests take their finished dragonfly home as a handmade souvenir

Each dragonfly is individually made and unique — a lightweight, meaningful keepsake.

15:00 – 16:00 — Tay Phuong Pagoda

A short distance from Thach Xa, 239 moss-edged laterite steps ascend through ancient tree cover to Tay Phuong Pagoda — one of Vietnam's most historically and artistically significant sacred sites.

Key facts:

Origins dating to the 8th century; current architecture shaped by a full renovation in 1794 under the Tay Son Dynasty

Designated a Special National Relic by the Vietnamese government in 2014

Statue collection designated a National Treasure in 2015

The pagoda's three parallel halls, arranged in the form of the Chinese character, along the hillside, house 72 jackfruit-wood sculptures. The most celebrated are the 18 Arhat figures: each face individually carved with a distinctive expression and joy, anguish, deep contemplation, quiet amusement and regarded by scholars as the pinnacle of 18th-century Vietnamese sculptural art. The statues were carved by artisans of the Thach That woodworking tradition, the same lineage guests encounter earlier in the day at Son Dong.

From the hilltop, panoramic views stretch across the Red River Delta, rice fields, bamboo groves, and river bends that have sustained these craft traditions for over a millennium.

Please note: Tay Phuong Pagoda requires climbing 239 stone steps and is not suitable for guests with limited mobility.

17:00 – 17:30 — Hotel Drop-off

Guests return to their Hanoi hotel by approximately 17:00–17:30, having experienced four of the capital region's most authentic traditional craft communities — and the living artisans who keep them alive.

Meals

Lunch

Meeting & Pickup

Meeting point

Hanoi City, Hanoi, North Vietnam, Vietnam

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End point

Tay Phuong Pagoda, Hanoi, North Vietnam

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Available

Adults (12 years old and older)
Children (From 6 years old to 11 years old)
Infants (From 0 years old to 5 years old)

Important Information

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Seamless travel with a private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing
Insightful guidance from experienced local English-speaking guides
Selected meals as specified in the itinerary, showcasing authentic regional cuisine
Bottled water and cool towels provided on all excursions
All entrance fees and applicable service charges

Meals or drinks not specifically outlined in the daily program
Personal spending, including laundry, calls, or refreshments outside the itinerary
Tips for guides and drivers (suggested: USD 3–5 per person per day)

If you need help arranging anything beyond the program, our team will be happy to assist.

Keep your luggage light and stay comfortable. We recommend bringing:

Proper walking shoes for comfort and support
Sun protection essentials: sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle
Personal care essentials and required medications

Optional: snacks, a camera, and insect repellent for extra comfort.

Don’t worry — we’ll guide you with more details before your trip.

Payment

A 30% deposit is needed to guarantee your booking.
The remaining balance is due at least 10 days before departure.
In case of cancellation, the deposit is non-refundable after booking confirmation.

Cancellations

In the event of cancellations, the following conditions will apply:

More than 10 days before departure: 30% of total tour price
5–10 days before departure: 50% of total tour price
3–5 days before departure: 75% of total tour price
Within 3 days before departure or no-show: 100% of total tour price
Cancellation time is calculated based on working days (excluding weekends and public holidays)

Refunds

Any applicable refunds will be processed after deducting relevant fees and banking charges.
The time it takes to receive your refund may vary based on your payment provider.

The itinerary may be adjusted due to flight schedules, weather conditions, or operational factors
Peak season surcharge: Additional charges may apply for Christmas Eve (24 December) and New Year’s Eve (31 December) Gala dinners
Public holiday surcharge: Applicable during major holidays such as Vietnamese public holidays (Reunification Day 30/4 – Labour Day 1/5, Lunar New Year/Tet)
In unexpected situations, adjustments may be made with your comfort and safety in mind.

Children aged 1–4 years: Free of charge (parents cover any applicable entrance fees)
Children aged 5–8 years: Charged at 75% of the adult tour price
Children aged 9 years and above: Charged at 100% of the adult tour price

Still deciding if this tour is right for you ?

This customizable tour can be tailored to your travel style, dates, and preferences.

Tell us what you’re looking for — we’ll create a personalized trip just for you.

Customer Reviews

5.0

No reviews - 6 Reviews

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Review details

JE

Jeannette | United States

Mar 19, 2024

A Perfect Mother-Daughter Day Through Hanoi's Craft Villages

I booked the Hanoi Artisan Day Tour for my mother and me — neither of us had visited Vietnam before — and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of the whole trip. From the first inquiry, our travel consultant Minh Hien responded quickly, walked us through every detail, and made the booking completely stress-free.What truly set this experience ..More
I booked the Hanoi Artisan Day Tour for my mother and me — neither of us had visited Vietnam before — and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of the whole trip. From the first inquiry, our travel consultant Minh Hien responded quickly, walked us through every detail, and made the booking completely stress-free.
What truly set this experience apart was how personal it felt from the very first contact. Minh Hien actually came to our hotel on arrival day to introduce herself, confirm the itinerary, and make sure we had everything we needed before the tour even started. That kind of care is rare and made us feel genuinely looked after rather than just another booking.
The day itself was beautifully paced. We visited Van Phuc Silk Village, where we watched weavers at their looms and learned about the 1,200-year tradition behind Vietnamese silk weaving. At Son Dong Wood Carving Village, skilled artisans walked us through the intricate process of hand-carving and gold-leafing Buddhist sculptures — something I never would have discovered on my own. The highlight for my mother was Thach Xa Village, where she made her own bamboo dragonfly to take home. And the final stop at Tay Phuong Pagoda — perched on a hill above the Red River Delta — was simply stunning.
Our guide was knowledgeable and patient, the vehicle was air-conditioned and comfortable, and the countryside lunch was genuinely delicious northern Vietnamese home cooking. Everything ran on time with no rush and no stress.
If you're looking for an authentic craft village day trip from Hanoi that goes well beyond the tourist surface, this is it. Excellent value, and a team that clearly takes pride in what they do. Thank you Auasia Travel, Minh Hien, and the whole crew.
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Roger Alfonso | Canada

Mar 11, 2024

Hanoi Done Right From Silk Villages to Sacred Pagodas, Every Detail Was Handled

I've travelled across Southeast Asia before, but planning a trip to Hanoi always felt overwhelming, so many craft villages, temples, and day trips to choose from, and no clear way to know which ones are actually worth your time. Booking with Auasia Travel removed every bit of that uncertainty.Our travel consultant Jane was exceptional. Every email I sent, no matter ..More
I've travelled across Southeast Asia before, but planning a trip to Hanoi always felt overwhelming, so many craft villages, temples, and day trips to choose from, and no clear way to know which ones are actually worth your time. Booking with Auasia Travel removed every bit of that uncertainty.
Our travel consultant Jane was exceptional. Every email I sent, no matter how detailed or last-minute, came back with a clear, thoughtful answer within minutes. She didn't just fill slots in a schedule; she listened to what we actually wanted and built an itinerary around it. By the time we landed, the Hanoi Artisan Day Tour covering Van Phuc Silk Village, Son Dong Wood Carving Village, Thach Xa Bamboo Dragonfly Village, and Tay Phuong Pagoda was already perfectly mapped out.
One detail that genuinely impressed me: Auasia Travel provided us with a company phone for the duration of the trip. It sounds like a small thing, but having a direct line, especially navigating between craft villages outside Hanoi, made the whole experience feel safe and personal rather than transactional.
Our guide was sharp, warm, and deeply knowledgeable about Vietnamese history and artisan traditions. Our driver arrived exactly when promised each morning and navigated the countryside roads between villages smoothly, never once making us feel rushed. And the hotels Jane recommended were all far above what I expected at the price point, well-located, comfortable, and genuinely good.
This is the kind of private tour agency in Hanoi that makes you wonder why you'd ever book any other way. I'm already planning a return trip, and Auasia Travel will be my first call. Highly recommended for anyone wanting an authentic, well-organised Vietnam travel experience, especially if you're visiting Hanoi for the first time.
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Sally | United States

Feb 13, 2024

Solo in Vietnam for the First Time, Auasia Travel Took Care of Absolutely Everything

Travelling solo through Vietnam for the first time comes with a long list of logistics most people don't think about until they're already stressed about them, domestic flights, Vietnam e-visa arrangements, transfers between cities, knowing which tours are actually worth the day. Jane Nguyen at Auasia Travel handled every single one of those things without me having to chase a ..More
Travelling solo through Vietnam for the first time comes with a long list of logistics most people don't think about until they're already stressed about them, domestic flights, Vietnam e-visa arrangements, transfers between cities, knowing which tours are actually worth the day. Jane Nguyen at Auasia Travel handled every single one of those things without me having to chase a single detail.
From the start, Jane took the time to actually understand what I was looking for, not just a generic itinerary, but a trip that fit my pace and interests. She coordinated my domestic flights within Vietnam, sorted the visa paperwork, and built a day-by-day plan that balanced cultural depth with breathing room. What I didn't expect was for her to show up at my hotel on the first evening, sit down with me over the full itinerary, and hand me a local phone to use for the entire journey. That single gesture shifted how I felt about the whole trip, I went from cautiously optimistic to completely at ease.
The Hanoi Artisan Day Tour was a particular highlight. Visiting Van Phuc Silk Village where weavers have been producing silk for over a thousand years then watching craftsmen hand-carve and gild Buddhist statues at Son Dong Wood Carving Village, then making my own bamboo dragonfly at Thach Xa Village, and finishing at the ancient Tay Phuong Pagoda, it was the kind of day that reminds you why slow travel through craft villages near Hanoi is worth every minute.
Every guide was genuinely knowledgeable, not just reciting facts but telling stories that gave context to what I was seeing. Every driver was reliable, calm, and professional. The whole operation ran with a quiet confidence that's hard to find and easy to trust.
I'm already thinking about a return trip to northern Vietnam, and there's no question who I'll contact first. For any traveller, solo or otherwise, looking for a reputable, full-service travel agency in Hanoi that handles everything from visas to village tours: Auasia Travel is the answer.
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