In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation (October 10, 1954-2024), the Hanoi Tourism Department has recently cooperated with the Thuong Tin District People’s Committee to launch the “Duyen Thai Craft Village Art” tourism program.

New tour to Hanoi’s outskirt area

A traditional lacquer product made by artisans from the Ha Thai craft hamlet, Duyen Thai Commune of Thuong Tin District, Hanoi. Photo: Lang nghe son mai Ha Thai

The launch of the Duyen Thai Craft Village Art tourism program in Thuong Tin District focuses on introducing unique values associated with the spiritual culture and folk beliefs of the Vietnamese people. In particular, lacquerware is a work of art that reflects the quintessence and creativity of craftsmen.

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the tourism program, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Tourism Department Tran Trung Hieu confirmed that Hanoi has 1,350 trade villages and craft villages, practicing 47 out of 52 traditional crafts in the whole country.

To implement the Hanoi Municipal Party Committee's plan on "Developing culture, improving the quality of human resources and cultivating elegant, civilized Hanoi people from 2021 to 2025", Hanoi Tourism Department will develop typical experiential tourism products in 2024, linked to the values of heritage sites, relics and craft villages along the "South Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Road" tourism route in Thanh Tri, Thuong Tin and Phu Xuyen districts.

"Hopefully, the Duyen Thai Craft Village Art tourism program will leave a positive impression and lure more and more tourists to the craft village areas of Thuong Tin District in particular and Hanoi in general," Hieu stressed.

Deputy Director of Hanoi Tourism Department Tran Trung Hieu visits Duyen Thai Commune, Thuong Tin District, Hanoi

During the event, tourism consultants, tour operators and tourists experienced the craft of making votive offerings in Phuc Am Village, learned about Ha Thai lacquer art and some stages of production, visited the display area of various Ha Thai lacquer ware, and enjoyed local cuisine, and other activities.

Opportunity to introduce craft village products

According to the Thuong Tin District People's Committee, four villages in the district are currently recognized by the Hanoi People's Committee as tourist destinations, namely Hong Van Bonsai Village, Ha Thai Lacquerware Village, Thuy Ung Horn Carving Village, and Van Diem High-class Carpentry Village.

Despite the potential, the district still faces difficulties in attracting tourists due to the lack of characteristic tours. Therefore, the "Duyen Thai Craft Village Art" tourism program is expected to create opportunities for villagers to introduce the unique values of lacquerware and votive paper making to visitors in Ha Thai Village and Phuc Am Village, both located in Duyen Thai Commune.

A lacquer showroom in Ha Thai Hamlet, Duyen Thai Commune in rural Hanoi.

According to Tran Thi Lan, Head of Thuong Tin District's Culture and Information Division, Phuc Am is known for its production of votive paper and offerings associated with the Vietnamese people's spiritual culture and practice of worshipping the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms, which was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2016.

"The 'Duyen Thai Craft Village Art' tourism program is not only an avenue for villagers to promote their products, but also an economic development opportunity based on cultural and artistic values," Lan said.

"Through this program, the organizing board hopes to attract the interest and cooperation of travel agencies with Ha Thai Lacquerware Village businesses to jointly boost the growth of local tourism," Lan added.

According to Phung Quang Thang, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, the area should increase infrastructure investment in the near future and improve the quality of parking lots, landscapes, homestay accommodations, souvenir shops, production workshops, and travel experiences to make tourism businesses' tours to Thuong Tin more appealing.

Reputation of a hundred-year-old craft village

Visitors to Ha Thai lacquerware village.

The Ha Thai Lacquerware Village has existed and evolved for more than 200 years, using natural materials to handcraft with high durability and eye-catching colors.

Each Ha Thai Lacquerware masterpiece is a testament to the craftsmen's perseverance, meticulousness, and dedication. To complete a single piece, these skilled craftsmen meticulously refine every minute detail over a period of months, using 12 intricate steps and applying multiple layers of lacquer. As a result, those who admire these creations are not only captivated by the vibrant colors, intricate designs, and elegance of the artwork, but also deeply appreciate the craftsmanship and passion of the artisans.

Ha Thai lacquerware has firmly established its reputation and value not only in Vietnam but also internationally, becoming a prestigious brand recognized worldwide.

Ha Thai Village in Duyen Thai Commune, Thuong Tin District is one of the seven craft village tourist destinations in the capital, famous for its lacquerware.

A young artisan of Ha Thai Lacquer Village.

Officially recognized by the Hanoi People's Committee as a craft village tourist destination in 2020, Ha Thai currently has a plethora of shops showcasing the village's products. These works of art can also be found in many countries around the world, such as the United Kingdom, France, Russia, the United States, Spain, Australia, Italy, Japan, and South Korea.

The opening ceremony of the "Duyen Thai Craft Village Art" tour promises to open a unique craft village tourist route that will be widely promoted to visitors and boost the development of local tourism and economy, while also preserving and capitalizing on traditional cultural values.