Arrive to Noi Bai International Airport - Hanoi Vietnam

NOTE we will collect you from the airport whatever time you arrive - day or night. 

There is no programme on Arrivals Day - our guests come from all over the world.

Your room is available from Hotel Check-in time - typically 2:00pm

Today we will get ourselves orientated in Bat Trang Traditional Craft Village.

Every aspect of the life of pottery is here to see if you spend time wandering the alleyways and poke around. We will pop into the families who prepare clay, through so many styles of workshops to the dealers of ceramics who supply the world. 

Bat Trang also boasts a fantastic museum of Pottery - a must visit.

We will take lunch cooked by two sisters and then dive into our first experience.

Bat Trang has been a major ceramic center for over 700 years, with the blue-and-white style peaking in popularity between the 15th and 18th centuries, often featuring cobalt blue brushstrokes on an ivory background. 

We will visit a studio that using slip casting to produce their work, after smoothing the surface they is the opportunity to hand paint your piece - or you might like to use one of the printed stencils to decorate your piece.

Authentic Bat Trang blue and white pottery is made using high-quality white clay and kaolin, decorated with cobalt blue pigment under a clear, glossy, or ivory-white glaze. 

We will name and leave our pieces to go into the next firing in their huge kilns and be ready for us when we return.

Let's celebrate our upcoming journey with a Welcome Dinner together tonight.

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Bat Trang Village - is it starting to feel like home yet?

Wear your work gear or bring an apron today - it could get messy.

We will split into two groups.....

We’ll spend time in a studio known for its beautifully carved work – subtle designs etched into pots, vases, and those enormous fish bowls you see dotted through courtyards and gardens.

Here, you’ll work on a small vase prepared to the leather-hard stage, ready for carving. It’s a lovely moment in the process – the clay firm enough to hold detail, but still soft enough to respond to your hand. You can take your time and ease into your design.

Once you’re happy, you’ll choose your glaze – the workshop’s signature deep blue or a soft jade green.

Your piece will be fired while we’re off exploring, and waiting for you when we return.

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This studio produces beautifully hand-painted plaques, plates, and vases – subtle, detailed work with a very delicate touch. It’s run by a husband-and-wife team whose pieces are stunning.

We’ll sit alongside them and try our hand at painting our own plate, working slowly and taking cues from their process as we go.

Once finished, your piece will be dried and fired while we’re off wandering.

After Lunch... there are always a few more workshops to poke our nose into and then we will return to Hanoi and you are free to explore.

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Same, same but different - swap workshops today and try your hand at carving or painting.

Once we get back to the hotel after lunch, take your time to dust off and  relax, we will meet in the evening to visit the iconic Water Puppets Show.

Water puppetry is a Vietnamese tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century, when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta, in the north of the country.

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While clay dries and pots fire we are off exploring...

We are leaving Hanoi and heading south - first stop is Ha Thai Lacquer Village.

The craft dates back to the 17th century, where it was originally known as Cu Trang and famous for making items for the royal family.

After lunch we will visit a small village dedicated to pottery for household use, then into the Khast Mountains and Tam Coc nestled amongst the rice fields.

Our hotel has a pool, so a dip might be nice.

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In days gone by it was Royal Patronage that helped develop the arts and crafts. The Courts wanted the finest pieces and it developed products for trade which benefited the kingdoms. 

Today let's visit Hoa Lu ancient capital - it dates back to the 10th century, packed with temple & fortress ruins. 

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We are heading across country to a White Tay / Tay Dam village.

Vietnam is home to 54 Ethnic Groups - the White Thai migrated here from southern China over 1000 years ago, they settle into mountain valleys and cultivate rice.

Mai Chou is a picturesque spot to experience village culture- beautiful wooden stilt houses, lush green rice fields and a chilled atmosphere.

We will visit a local workshop that makes Ruon Cap (Stem Wine) It is fermented in a large ceramic jug for over a month and consumed through long bamboo tubes. Of course we want to see the ceramic jugs but could also try the wine if we like 😁

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Heading back to Hanoi today.

The Temple of Literature is a temple dedicated to Confucius. The temple was founded and first built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông, and it hosted the Imperial Academy, Vietnam's first national university, from 1076 to 1779. 

In 1803, The academy was moved to the new capital of Nguyen dynasty in Hue.

It is a beautiful place to visit to this day and Vietnam's students often visit before big exams to wish for success.

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We will be back in Hanoi this afternoon - there are so many little streets specialising in various crafts in the Old Quarter, do you want to come for a wander and check out the wooden stamp carvers? 

They originally made wood block prints especially popular and Tet - Vietnamese New Year to ask for blessing for theNew Year. These printed images would be displayed above the family alter and vases from the cermic village would stand either side - always empty so they can house good luck and prosperity for the family.

We could then wander up and find space in a fabulous Bun Cha place [BBQ pork in a broth served with amazing spring rolls] 

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We are taking a jaunt to a village out of town that specialise in large terracotta urns, fish bowls and coffins.

They still use traditional Dragon Kilns to fire - think of a kiln 20 m deep, fired once a month with 3 or 4 tonne of wood over 4 days and 3 nights. Mind Blowing!

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The moment of truth - out to Bat Trang and collecting our work.

How do open your kilns? cross fingers, say a little prayer and be hopeful.

It will be exciting to see how our work turns out.

Back into town and time to pack or send you work home.

The Post office is just across the lake, Couriers next door or will you pack your items safely in your hand luggage to carry home?

Post office has boxes but NO insulating materials - so make sure you bring what you need from home.

A night to celebrate our journey - let's feast together.

B,L,D

Departures from Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi, Vietnam

We'll drop you to your flight any time night or day.

NOTE - your hotel room is available until Hotel Check Out time today.

Physical Fitness for Sightseeing 

This adventure is crafted for enthusiastic, active travellers with a good general level of health and mobility.

To make the most of your experience, you’ll need to be comfortable walking for 3–4 hours a day — sometimes over uneven ground, up hills, and climbing a few flights of stairs.

You may also find yourself getting in and out of local transport and navigating the occasional over-the-bath shower.

If you enjoy a bit of daily movement and love discovering new places on foot, you’ll thrive on this tour.

Just a friendly heads-up: we need to walk at an average pace - it will not be suitable for those who prefer a slow pace or need frequent rest stops.

The safest way to get your ceramics home will be for you to pack them safely and carry them yourself. Sending via courier is a risky undertaking.

Please bring bubble wrap - we have not spotted any in Hanoi.

That said the Central Post Office and DHL are just across the lake if you want to send. I did not see bubble wrap - bring your own.

Etiquette

• Be mindful of people’s privacy when taking photos

• Taking photos of people – how would you feel with a camera in your face?

• Many people enjoy a selfie – say hello, ask for a group selfie, show them, then ask for a portrait – works a charm

• Learn a few local courtesies – always appreciated

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Workshops

Clothes suitable to work in clay or an apron

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Food

• Flavours and style differ slightly, but ingredients are familiar

• Food is central to culture – we are here to try it

• Group meals are shared, with a range of dishes and local specialties

• Vietnam: fresh, from-scratch cooking, easy to see what you’re eating

• Vegetarian: possible, though fish sauce is widely used

• Vegan: similar challenges

• Onion/garlic-free: difficult

• Wheat and/or dairy-free: generally manageable

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Health

• Drink only filtered or bottled water – never tap, even for brushing teeth

• Aim for at least 2 litres of water daily

• Visit your doctor or travel specialist before departure

• Bring required medications and prescriptions

• Menstrual products – pads available, tampons harder to find

• Bring insect repellent

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Money

• Notify your bank before travel (including transit stops)

• Travel cards can be useful – check they work before departure

• Carry a backup card, stored separately

• ATMs are widely available

• Cash – useful backup, exchange rates vary (ask hotel front desk)

• Credit cards – limited use, fees may apply

• KNOW YOUR CARD PIN – tap not used

Currency

• Vietnamese Dong

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Shopping

• There are treasures to find – and it supports the local economy

• Bargaining is common in markets – prices are negotiable

• NGOs and social enterprises usually have fixed prices

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Suitcase

• Start with a medium suitcase and bring a soft bag for extra purchases

• Large suitcases are harder to manage on the bus

Recommended size

• Medium: 60–70 cm (H) x 40–50 cm (W) x 25–30 cm (D)

• Approx. 24–28" x 16–20" x 10–12"

• Buying luggage on the road is not easy

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Weather

• Warm days, cooler mornings and evenings

• Light rain possible – bring an umbrella or light rain jacket

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Power

• 220–240 volts

• A universal adaptor is best (Vietnam commonly uses Type A, C and sometimes F plugs)

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Clothing

• Lightweight, loose layers work best

• 3–4 outfits are usually sufficient

• Modesty: skirts/trousers mid-calf or longer, tops not too revealing

• Pack socks and a cardigan for cooler mornings

• Leave expensive jewellery at home

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Shoes

• Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers or strapped sandals)

• Surfaces can be uneven – stability matters

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Laundry

• Any 2-night stop is a good opportunity

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Fitness

• Frequent stops, getting on/off the minibus

• Walking required – often 1–2 hours at a time

• Expect steps and uneven ground

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Begging

• Best not to encourage

• Avoid giving sweets or gifts to children

• If you wish to give, we can pass items to a school

• A small gesture to elderly or disabled people can be appropriate

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Tipping

• Customary – carry small change

• Small services (bags, tea, laundry) – small tips appreciated

• Guides, performers, photos – tip as you feel appropriate

• Set something aside for your guide and driver

• Rough guide: the equivalent of a coffee per day, per person

• A group collection at the end works well

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Environment

• Be mindful – conserve water and power

• Take rubbish with you where possible

• Say no to plastic

• Bring a cloth carry bag