13 kilometers away from Hanoi to the southeast, Bat Trang Ceramics Village is a 14th-century porcelain and pottery village which is well known for high-quality ceramics. It is located next to the Red River within the Gia Lam District, Hanoi, where you can purchase finest handmade ceramic products in Vietnam or even make one yourself at artisans’ workshops. If you have a chance to visit Hanoi, do not miss out Bat Trang Ceramics village whose a lot of interesting things are waiting to be explored.
7-century history of Bat Trang ceramics village
According to Complete Annals of Dai Viet, Bat Trang firstly appeared in 1352. When King Ly Cong Uan relocated the capital in Thang Long in the 10th century, there were many traders and crafters settling down to earn a living. It made Thang Long and Pho Hien two ancient trade centers in the north of Vietnam during the 15th – 17th century. Until now, Bat Trang ceramics village is not only famous for its ceramic products but also well known as a tourist attraction in Hanoi.
How to get to Bat Trang Ceramic Village
Bat Trang village is not very far from Hanoi, so it is easy to find the most comfortable means of transportation to get to the village.
Taking buses No.47: From Long Bien Bus Station to Bat Trang (200m away from the village entrance gate)
Working time: 5h00 – 19h28 (From Long Bien); 05h39 – 20h07 (From Bat Trang)
Except Sunday: 5h00 – 19h42 (From Long Bien); 5h25 – 20h40 (From Bat Trang)
Duration: 40 minutes
Fee: 7000VND/person
Travel by taxi will cost you around from 150 000 to 200 000 VND
Travel by hired motorbike/car: To whoever goes as a group or with friends, it will be easy to travel to the village by motorbike or car and go sightseeing on the way. You can find the way on Google Map, but in general you can pass either Chương Dương, Long Biên (motorbike only), Vĩnh Tuy or Thanh Trì bridges, then turn right and go along Red River Dyke road to Bat Trang village. It will take you 5 – 25km on the dyke road to Bat Trang village entrance gate, depending on which bridge you choose.
If you go by car, it only takes you around 20-25 mins from Ha Noi to Bat Trang. You can park at Bat Trang market or at Bat Trang commune committee, then walk or hire an electric car with the fee of about 150 000 VND for 10 people to the market.
What to see and to do in Bat Trang Ceramics Village
Go sightseeing in Bat Trang ceramics village and visit ceramic product making workshops
Going sightseeing on a buffalo vehicle (a kind of vehicle moved by a buffalo) will bring you an unforgettable memory in Bat Trang. You can ask the local people for renting a buffalo vehicle going around the village. The price of renting this vehicle is approximately ranged from 150,000 to 200,000 VND (about 10 dollars). By walking or buffalo vehicle, tourists can have a chance to enjoy a rural atmosphere and peaceful landscapes with ancient houses and tombs in such a traditional Vietnamese traditional village.
Bat Trang Market
Photo by Hải Yến
This is a must-see place when coming to Bat Trang ceramics village. With an area of about 6,000 m2, you can find so many fine ceramic products from cheap to high-class such as cups, wind chimes, paints, colorful bracelets, and accessories, then buy some gifts for your family and friends.
You can find some beautiful and exclusive items which are cheaper than ones in markets if you take time to see around. One special thing is that local people here are so friendly and hospitable, that tourists can comfortably take photographs with unique and beautiful items in spite of not buying anything.
You can take a look at authentic Bat Trang products here: Bat Trang ceramic products website
Make your own ceramic gifts
Bat Trang Ceramic Village is the best place if you’re looking to create your own ceramic piece. Travelers will have a chance to experience being a potter in the pottery-making workshops with a very cheap price, only 10 000 VND upwards. The price will range from 20 000- 35 000 VND at normal workshops to 30 000 – 50 000 VND at workshops offering AC.
If you are worried that you do not know how to make a ceramic product, the artisans will guide you step by step in how to create a simple one. After that, you can feel free to shape your product. Besides, if you want to take your handmade products, it will cost you from 40 000 to 60 000 VND for the artisan to bake and glaze the final product.
Bat Trang “Food Specialty
Photo by Hai Yen
Visting Bat Trang, visitors cannot miss the food court right next to the market. You can easily find Vietnamese specialties like “phở”, noodles and many kinds of cake such as “tẻ” cake, sweet potato cake, etc. And there are some local restaurants for a whole family or a group of tourists called Mộc Viên – Bát Tràng Restaurant, Tùng Hương restaurant. Especially, the dish of “canh măng mực” (soup with squid and young bamboo) is a must, which is a traditional meal served only on the big anniversary of Bat Trang Village.
Bat Trang ceramics village is an ideal place for whoever wants to escape from the bustling and crowded urban atmosphere. Read more: 6 best activities to do in Hanoi
Backpackers Vietnam
Date: Jun 15th, 2019
