Arts and Crafts​
The tales of traditions and belief

With a rich historical culture, there is no doubt that Vietnamese art history is vivid and dynamic. Join us and explore the eclectic mixture between Western, East Asian, and vibrant indigenous art forms present in Vietnam.

The tales of traditional arts and crafts

Upon arrival, transfer from the airport to your hotel on your private vehicle.

The capital Hanoi is best known for its thriving contemporary arts scene and French architecture, visible by many colonial villas scattered throughout the city. Compared to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is more traditional and refined.

Today, drive an hour along the Red River to Ha Noi’s neighboring countryside through immense rice fields and fruit farms. Visit the village that birthed Vietnamese incense upon arrival. This village’s incense, made from over 30 herbs with skills passed down from generation to generation, is known for its pure, light scent. A guided stroll through the hamlet with older residents will take you to various family-run workshops to see the entire incense-making process and hear about the glory days of this traditional craft. Help the host make incense.

Take another short drive to a rural community behind endless rice fields and duck farms. The locals 200-year-old fish-pot crafting heritage includes bamboo weaving.  Walk around the village to see the typical Northern countryside architecture: dark brown tiled roofs, three-room houses with elders sitting in front weaving fish-pots and chatting. Visit a local artisan who rode his bike across Vietnam to proudly promote his village’s unique traditional craft. Create your own fish pot with his help and give it as a present.

Notes:

  • Availability: Morning
  • Suggested time: 08:00
  • Duration: 6 hours

Continue with a brief city tour at Thang Long Citadel – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The citadel was built by the Ly Viet Dynasty in the 11th century to commemorate the Dai Viet’s independence, was Vietnam’s political hub for 13 centuries and its capital for eight centuries. The citadel and the 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Site show a Southeast Asian culture unique to the lower Red River Valley, including influences from China and Champa. Discover the concealed military bunker that played an important role during the American War, especially during the 12 days and nights of the 1972 Ha Noi-Dien Bien Phu air duel.

Notes:

  • Suggested time: 15:00
  • Duration: 2 hours

In the early morning, your guide will take you to the “standing newspaper“, where you may get an informative explanation from the guide about the Hanoians’ subsidiary period, when newspapers were a luxury. Then, continue to walk around the Old Quarter, stop at a local egg coffee shop to observe and listen to the sounds of daily morning life.

Notes:

  • Suggested time: 08:00
  • Duration: 2 hours

Water puppetry is a one-of-a-kind art form that evolved from Vietnam’s wet rice civilization. Drive 30 minutes from your accommodation to a local residence in a Hanoi alley to see a water puppet craftsman. Coming from a family with a legacy of practicing water puppetry in a rural setting, he became interested in this folk art as a child. Sit down for a cup of tea and listen to his anecdotes of how the water puppet came to be, as well as his remarkable experiences traveling to many parts of the world to share Vietnamese culture and folklore with international friends. Then, on his top house level, enjoy a 30-minute entertainment featuring lion dances, buffalo fighting, rice cultivation, and boat racing. After the show, take on the role of an artisan and handle puppets in the water, or work alongside the host to create and paint the puppets.

Notes:

  • Suggested time: 10:00
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • The house is located in a very zigzagged & narrow alley away from Hanoi center. This is an area of crowded habitants.

Hanoi is a thousand-year-old artisan town, so it is no surprise that several of its crafts have died out. Hang Trong Art artworks are seen in temples, shrines, museums, and Vietnamese family altars. Today, you will visit the home of the last craftsman, one of seven children from a three-generation family, that has been making this type of work in the Old Quarter. Despite his 66 years, his passion in preserving art painting continues. Talk to him about the glory days of this craft, ancient wooden carving blocks, and how hard it is to keep this job continuing. You’ll be amazed by the time and effort it takes to make a painting and learn about ancient craftsmen. Stop at Hang Trong Street on the way back to the hotel to observe where this kind of painting was popular.

Notes:

  • Suggested time: 14:00
  • Duration: 3 hours

Depart for a journey to Halong Bay. On arrival in Halong Bay, let the vacation begin with a lunch as the boat cruises towards South East Halong Bay. Spend time to discover the mysterious caves, tranquil beaches along the bay, as well as take part in some cooking activities on board.

Wake up early and partake in a Tai Chi demonstration which is held on the upper deck. And then enjoy light breakfast is served onboard. The boat weighs anchor to sail to some fishing villages. You can choose either kayak or traditional rowing boat to go around discovering local life on the waters.

Check out in the afternoon, drive back to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue.

Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Lords from the 17th to the 19th centuries, and its magnificent emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas, and the remains of the Citadel add to its undeniable royal charm. Explore the Imperial Citadel, which is located in the heart of the Complex of Hue Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As your guide explains the events and intrigue surrounding the former royal court, enter through the towering main gate and take in the magnificent architecture and gardens. Despite being heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, some sections are incredibly well-preserved and others are being carefully restored.

Continue to visit elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb whose architecture showcases elements of Eastern art and Western design. The tomb shows a variety of fine world materials from this time, with steel, iron and tiles from France along with ceramics and stained glass from China and Japan, and is the last tomb built during Nguyen Dynasty.

Notes:

  • Suggested time: 09:00
  • Tour duration: 3.5 hours

Truc Chi is a new Hue art form masterfully crafted by a young gifted artist and his collaborators after years of research, study, and practice with bamboo paper. Truc Chi are often elaborate, one-of-a-kind works of art crafted entirely from bamboo. Come by Truc Chi’s studio and have a chat with the artist to find out about his work, marketing strategies, and upcoming shows. Create your own drawing using Truc Chi to take away with you.

Notes:

  • Suggested time: 13:30
  • Duration: 2 hours

Drive to Ms. Nau’s local garden house. Her house showcases the most typical Hue family culture, in which 3 generations live together and open business in their own house. Each family member has his/her own passion, typically in singing, cooking and art. And, like other traditional Hue families, everyone in Ms. Nau’s family is carefully educated with royal Hue customs and spirits. Ms. Nau herself is an interior designer. She left Saigon and got back to Hue few years ago, started her business creating macrame artworks. Her passion and talent for macrame were introduced on Hue Youth Channel many times. Join her for a quick lesson to make a simple macrame items, featuring some of Hue iconic heritages, before moving to living room area for some Hue traditional homemade snacks.

Notes:

  • Suggested time: 15:30
  • Duration: 2.5 hours

Thuy Bieu is an ancient village that has long been recognized as a symbol of transition and harmony. The numerous well-preserved communal dwellings, beautiful timber architecture, and  Fengshui-based gardens show a blend of regal tradition and rustic living. Floating on the beautiful Perfume River, cycling through verdant orchards and shaded alleyways, and participating in hands-on activities with locals like cooking, making crafts, and having a herbal footbath are well organized activities for a pleasant but enlightening experience.

Notes:

  • Suggested time: 08:30
  • Tour duration: 05 hours
  • Biking distance: 10km

After breakfast, check out hotel, transfer to airport for flight to Saigon.

Formerly known as “Saigon” prior to 1975, today the city is Vietnam’s commercial center. The city’s dynamic energy is apparent in the bustling street scenes with thousands of people on motorbikes constantly on the move. Although Saigon has rapidly developed into a modern city with skyscrapers and shopping centers, there are still remnants of its past visible in the historic landmarks and beautiful French colonial buildings dotted throughout the city.

From Saigon, take a 2-hour drive northwest to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. The 220km underground tunnel system served as living quarters, communication and supply routes, and housed hospitals, food and weapons caches for VC during the American War. Enjoy a walk around the area to have a better understanding of the hardship and resilience of the Vietnamese during the war. Return to Saigon.

Notes:

  • Suggested time: 13:30
  • Duration: 5 hours

With nearly 9 million citizens, Saigon is a dynamic city filled with culture and different lifestyles and enriched by its strong links to the past through its colonial landmarks. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then, walk across to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. Continue to Presidential Palace, the headquarter of the Southern Vietnamese Government during the American War. Drive to the War Remnants Museum to learn about story of Vietnam War. Be a part of Saigon daily life by experiencing Saigon’s street coffee before returning to your hotel.

Notes:

  • Suggested time: 08:30
  • Duration: 4 hours
  • Outside visit only due the renovation at Notre Dame Cathedral until further notice

The ochre-colored Fine Arts Museum, a magnificent colonial-era building that opened in 1929 and houses the city’s best collection of art, is where the art tour kicks off. The next stop is Duc Minh’s private museum, a beautiful colonial mansion housing over a thousand works of art telling stories of Vietnamese history, from the pre-History to the present day. We will stop at the Apricot Gallery on the way back to your hotel to see paintings and silkscreens by the “master generation” and the next wave of Vietnamese artists. End up your tour at X.Q embroidery gallery to admire the fabulous hand embroidery techniques by skillful female artisans from Da Lat. X.Q embroidery is not only a product in traditional decoration, but also an art work containing mysterious beauty, which sublimate emotional aesthetic of viewers.

Notes:

  • Suggested time: 13:30
  • Duration: 3.5 hours

Depart for a 2.5hr drive to Cai Be in the province of Tien Giang, in the Mekong Delta.

Situated in the heart of the Mekong Delta, Cai Be is famous for its tropical fruit gardens and traditional handicrafts.

Board your charming wooden boat and start cruising on the Mekong River while sampling local fresh fruits. Leave the boat for a while to visit the local business where you can interact with the local people to learn more about their daily life.  

Disembark the boat when reaching Tan Phong Island where you will start a very interesting cycling tour through small villages. Ride along the concrete road of 1m width, you will take the opportunities to visit local families who make traditional products such as handicraft items made from water hyacinth; house roofs made from palm leaves; hammocks made from coconut ropes; rice paper and local hats. After a sad farewell to your crew, enjoy a home-hosted lunch with Mekong Delta specialties at an ancient house before driving back to Saigon.  

Notes:

  • Availability: Morning
  • Suggested time: 07:30
  • Duration: 8-8.5 hours
  • Motorbike will be an option for those who can’t cycle. Guests ride as passenger behind

After breakfast, check out hotel, transfer to airport for flight home.

Our signature experiences
H’mong dying indigo and weaving
Sapa, Vetnam
Bamboo craft making experience
Hue, Vietnam
Rice and sand Art
Hue, Vietnam
Other theme selections
Indochina Retreat
Colorful Prides
Family
Photography
Romance
Culture and Cuisine
H’mong Dying Indigo & Weaving

Your experience:

Despite the invention of chemical dyes in the late 19th Century, the high-landers in Sapa still prefer using dyes exclusively derived from natural items using traditional methods. This morning, walk with your guide to visit a H’mong family at Ta Van to get a glimpse of the traditional dying methods that have been handed down for generations. Get involved with their daily works including dying with indigo & weaving.

Highlights:

  • Visit a H’mong family at Ta Van village and have a great chance to discover the traditional dying methods.
  • Get involved with their daily works.

Quick notes:

  • Availability: Morning, Afternoon
  • Suggested time: 08:00, 15:00
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Capacity: Max. 5pax

Inclusions:

  • Private transfer
  • English speaking guide
  • Water and tissue
  • Interaction fee1
Bamboo craft making experience

Highlights:

  • Visit a bamboo workshop and learn the interesting art of making souvenir by just bamboo,
  • Meet with the owner – Mr. Tan Vo – and get trained to create your own simple bamboo products

Your experiences:

Bamboo tree is a significant symbol in both Vietnamese culture and daily life. The solid, straight and high bamboo trees represent the resilience, indomitability and bravery of the Vietnamese people. Today meet with Mr. Tan Vo, who represents the creative young generation and brings bamboo products up to another level. Having inherited valuable skills from his father, Mr. Tan Vo has recently created a unique bicycle with the frame and handlebars made from bamboo. The advantage of this type of special bamboo frame is its durability and flexibility. His family also hand-makes many other bamboo items which you can see and discover in the bamboo workshop. Try your hands on making a pen holder or a décor item under his guidance and take it home as a souvenir.

Quick notes:

  • Suggested time: 09:00, 15:00
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Capacity: Max. 10 pax

Inclusions

  • Private transfer
  • English speaking guide
  • Water and tissue
  • Interaction fee.
Rice and sand painting

Highlights:

  • Learn the art of rice painting by visiting a home studio and received the explanation as well as instruction from the artist about the rice painting technique
  • Discover another technique which also requires cleverness and patience – sand painting, also from a studio.

Your experience:

For centuries, rice has been playing a main role in every meal of Vietnamese. Rice is not only related to farm work but also to the cultural and spiritual life. There have been many art performance relating to rice, one of those that should be named is rice painting. Rice was selected and meticulously preserved in the right techniques. After having been treated with heat to natural-colored, rice are arranged on a wooden frame for painting. Pay a visit to small home studio of local artist family. Have a chat with them to get an insight of the soul of each picture that the artisans created. With your patience, you might want to try your hand using tweezers to put rice grains into an artwork of your way. Then transfer to another workshop to learn about a different technique of painting: sand painting. Sand painting is the art of drawing on colored sand surface to create a painting, it might be about landscape, or portrait or reflect the daily local life.

Quick notes: 

  • Availability: Morning, Afternoon
  • Suggested time: 10:00, 15:00
  • Duration: 1-1.5 hours
  • Capacity: Max. 6 pax

Inclusions:

  • Private transfer
  • English speaking guide
  • Entrance fee
  • Water and tissue.
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