Perhaps, dozens of activities and destinations in Vietnam are waiting for you to experience and explore, yet in contrast you are looking for something new, different, and more interesting. So what do you think about a visit to the oldest handicraft villages, especially in the northern Vietnam? Certainly, the trip will be an indelible memory of the Vietnam beauty at the rustic villages.

Van Phuc Silk Village – Ha Dong

Van Phuc Village is positioned on the bank of Nhue River, the outskirts of Hanoi City. Dating back over 1,200 years, the village has been famous for its traditional weaving techniques and premium handicrafts made from silk. In fact, roaming around the village, you will feel like getting lost in the kingdom of silk with numerous exquisite products, such as dresses, Vietnamese costumes, shirts, crafts, ties, etc. Another interesting thing found in the stroll is an anciently beautiful painting of the Vietnamese countryside with a village well, a big banyan tree, a communal house, and the serene entrance gate.

Dong Ho Painting Village – Bac Ninh

With the age of many centuries, Dong Ho Painting Village, located on the left bank of Duong River, is viewed as an art symbol in Vietnam culture as well as where excellent art works have been created. Although there were up to 100 households making this traditional craft in the 1950s, nowadays the number is just small. It is known that Dong Ho paintings are like a way for talented artists to speak out their wishes for lucks and a peaceful life. Their themes mainly revolve around the daily life of rural people or Vietnamese folk tales. They are simple but bear deep meanings.

Kim Son Sedge Village – Ninh Binh

Kim Son Village, Ninh Binh Province is endowed with a nice variety of sedge which is totally ideal for making high-quality handicrafts. At the beginning of the craft in Kim Son, people just created sedge mats for their necessary daily life. However, after a long time of this hand-making, they have been very talented to think of and produce the more excellent items which are nowadays supposed to be rural art works. Some of those products made from sedge include unique sedges, handbags, hats, boxes, cups, shoes, and baskets.

Gia Thuy Pottery Village – Ninh Binh

Gia Thuy is a mountainous village in Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province. Here is also a pottery village renowned for elaborate pottery products like pots, vases, jars, etc. It is known that the craft dates back approximately 1,000 years when Ninh Binh was Hoa Lư Capital of Dai Co Viet (the old land of Vietnam). Naturally favored white clay perfect for making ceramics, the village has brought out the quintessence of the age-old craft through clever hands of involved artists. They have used their traditional techniques not only to form a variety of products in unique shapes with ravishing patterns, but also to infuse souls into each of these art works.

Ha Lung Flower Village – Hai Phong

Ha Lung Flower Village is well known through the northern Vietnam; it lies in Hai An District, Hai Phong City. For a trip to explore the Vietnam charms, you ought not to miss out the chance to visit Ha Lung Village since it is home to a rich variety of flowers, some of which are exported abroad, especially to Holland and Eastern Europe due to their high yield and quality. The best time for this visit is believed to be during Tet holiday when flowers are in full bloom of all gardens, making up an enthralling colorful painting amongst nature. Not only that, coming here entitles you to perceive that buying flowers to decorate the locals’ houses seems to be associated with their spiritual lifestyle each time the new year festival is approaching.

Source: tnktravel

The oldest handicraft villages in northern Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

When is Apricot Blossom’s season?

In order to know in which season the flowers bloom, you need to identify where the flowers will bloom. Because the timing of blooming varies from place to place. In particular, the most beautiful flowering spots in the country are: Northwest (Dien Bien, Moc Chau, …), Hanoi and Da Lat. Let’s find out when the flowers will bloom in these lands!

The flowering season in the Northwest

When the spring say goodbye to the Northwestern mountains, it is also the time for the Apricot blossom’s season to bloom here. Specifically in February, you will see flowers appear  on the roads leading to Dien Bien’s Streets or Moc Chau Town.

By the end of February – early March is the time when flowers bloom in all hills and highlands. At this time, warm weather is also very suitable for a journey to find the mountainous region of the country.

Apricot blossom in Hanoi

Maybe because the geographical location is quite close to each other, the capital also has Apricot Blossom’s season quite similar to the Northwest provinces of Vietnam. The end of February is also the time when the flowers begin to bloom in the season and spread radiantly in March, lasting until early May. If you are planning to travel to Hanoi in the above months, do not miss this beautiful flower season.

Apricot blossom’s season in Dalat

Slightly different from the above two regions, Da Lat white flower season is associated with the cold winter. Because at the end of December, the roads on the mountain street were full of white flowers. For those who love the winter in Da Lat, love the cold air with full of frost, they usually visit to Dalat from December to February. This is the time you could see the flowers at the beginning of the season, and enjoy the winter atmosphere. In addition, traveling to Dalat in February, visitors can admire the characteristic cherry blossom season of the city.

For those who love the spring of the thousands of flowers’ city, March – April is the perfect time to visit here. The moderate temperature and the blooming white flowers will make you bewildered and forget about the way back. Besides the flowering season, you can also admire the beauty of the purple phoenix here. Don’t miss!

Soure: Vietnambooking.com

A beauty of Apricot Blossom in Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

RUBICON TOURS supports a walking tour every day from Hoe Nhai Street – cross Phung Hung Street to the iconic Long Bien Bridge.

Taking place from 9.30am to 12pm, the English-speaking tour will start from Hang Dau Water Tower to Hoe Nhai Street which hosts Hoe Nhai Pagoda, before getting into Hang Than Street – the route leading to Long Bien railway station and Long Biên Bridge under the arches.

Tour members will learn about the history of the area, the French influence, what the streets were famed for in the past and what their modern-day activities are.

Get experience in Hanoi with Rubicon Tours: https://rubicontours.com/tour/hanoi-city-tour-1-day/

City walk from Hoe Nhai Street to Long Bien Bridge
Nguyen Thanh Van