Việt Nam
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At a workbench in Bát Tràng, a painter in a red apron turns a small ceramic piece in her hand and brings her brush to its surface. Several pieces of the same shape are lined up in front of her, each waiting its turn.
On a recent tour, our group stepped inside the working ceramics studios of Bát Tràng Pottery Village, a half-day trip from central Hanoi. We stopped to watch a painter at work, visited a clay preparation workshop and shared a Vietnamese lunch around a long wooden table.
What to see in Bát Tràng Pottery Village
A painter at her workbench
Look closely at how the painter supports the piece in one hand and moves her brush with the other. Each time she turns the piece, she has to work with a new angle. Beside her are small cream-coloured pots with painted details. A moment at the bench gives you a sense of the care behind each one.
A workshop where the clay is prepared
Inside the clay preparation workshop, bags of clay sit beside production equipment. This is where the material is prepared before it reaches the people who shape it. On the tour, our local guide explains what the different workshops do and how their work fits together. You can also read about the stages from shaping to firing in our guide to how Bát Tràng pottery is made.
Shelves of finished ceramics
Look for the deep blue ridged vase and the round pot with a glossy brown glaze. The shelves give you a chance to compare shapes, textures and finishes after you’ve seen some of the work that goes into them. Back in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, you can browse more finished pieces, including tea sets, bowls and vases, in the Authentic Bát Tràng ceramics collection.
What happens on a half-day Bát Tràng tour from Hanoi?
We start with about 90 minutes on the pottery wheel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Your teacher shows you how to centre the clay and shape a simple piece, such as a bowl or cup. Beginners are welcome, and trying it yourself gives you something to compare with what you’ll see later in the village.
From there, we travel to Bát Tràng with an English-speaking local guide. Our usual route includes six specialist workshops. Depending on the day’s production, you may see work such as hand-forming, glazing, mould-making or the finishing of large decorative vases. We also visit the preserved wood-fired lò bầu kiln, walk through the old village and share a local lunch before returning to Hanoi.
Plan your Bát Tràng workshop visit
The tour starts at 8:30 AM at Authentic Bát Tràng, 115 Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi and normally returns there around 2:00 PM. Transport between the Old Quarter and the village is included.
One piece you make in class is glazed and fired. It usually takes two to three days to be ready for collection. If you’re leaving Hanoi sooner, ask about shipping when you enquire.
See the full Bát Tràng Pottery Village tour itinerary.
Contact Authentic Bát Tràng with your preferred date and group size.
