Bat Trang Pottery Village – The mark of a 700-year-old craft village

Visiting traditional craft villages is gradually becoming a trend among travel enthusiasts. If you don't have any plans for this weekend, join 3 Regions Travel to Bat Trang and experience the intangible cultural value through the working lives of famous artisans who are wholeheartedly preserving the national culture.

Introduction to Bat Trang Pottery Village

Bat Trang village, located on the outskirts of Hanoi, is renowned as a long-standing pottery village with over 700 years of history. The exquisite ceramic and porcelain products, crafted from a special white clay by the hands of talented artisans, will inspire anyone wishing to learn about this elaborate traditional craft.

Where is Bat Trang pottery village located?

Address: Located at 204 Giang Cao, Bat Trang, Gia Lam, Hanoi – approximately 15km from the city center. Visitors can choose to travel here by private vehicle or bus. Cars and motorbikes:

Travel time: 30 minutes from the city center

Directions to Bat Trang by motorbike: via Hoang Dieu, Long Bien - Xuan Quang roads. The specific route will be fully updated on Google Maps.

Parking fee: from 10,000 VND/vehicle. (You can park your vehicle in the village square).

X bus to Bat Trang

Visitors can take bus number 47A and get off at the Bat Trang bus stop, then walk about 1km to reach the destination. Detailed directions can be found at busmap.vn.

Bat Trang Pottery Village — (Source: @tahoturtle)

Ticket prices and opening hours

Entrance fee to Bat Trang pottery village: Free.

Opening hours: Pottery Village Open all day. However, some attractions here have specific operating hours, so visitors should take note: Van Van Ancient House: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM; Ancient Pottery Kiln: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM; Bat Trang Ceramic Market: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

History of Bat Trang pottery village, Gia Lam, Hanoi

"Bat Trang" means "large courtyard" dedicated to the development of household goods. Furthermore, when translated into Chinese, the name signifies wealth connected to one's roots, a message for future generations to continue upholding the core values passed down by their ancestors. Indeed, the pottery village has existed for hundreds of years, holding immense cultural significance and contributing to the Vietnamese identity. When did Bat Trang pottery village originate? According to legend, the village began to form in the 11th century, when King Ly moved the capital to Thang Long, and artisans migrated from Bo Bat village ( Ninh Binh ) to settle there. The area had a source of high-quality white clay, ideal for creating exquisite products. However, historical records begin to document the village's existence in the 15th century, when Bat Trang pottery products were widely used both domestically and internationally, and were honored to be chosen by the court as tribute to the Ming dynasty.

Products from Bat Trang pottery village — (Source: @chilan_hiroshima)

The Bat Trang pottery village continued its flourishing development throughout the 16th century. While exports declined from the late 17th to the first half of the 19th century, Bat Trang pottery remained a top choice domestically. During the French colonial period, Bat Trang pottery faced intense competition from imported products but maintained a competitive edge. To this day, the Bat Trang pottery village continues to thrive and trains many young artisans to preserve the traditions passed down from their ancestors. Gradually, the village has expanded its product range, improved its technology, and produced higher-quality products. Furthermore, the villagers have preserved their core values and are striving to revive traditional glazes from earlier times.

Top experiences at Bat Trang pottery village in Hanoi

Bat Trang is definitely an ideal tourist destination near Hanoi for a day trip . As a famous and long-standing traditional craft village, visitors can find many unique and exquisite ceramic and porcelain products. Furthermore, activities such as pottery making, painting, visiting the ceramics museum, and watching skilled artisans work will surely be enjoyable experiences for a day out in Bat Trang.

What makes Bat Trang pottery village so beautiful?

Bat Trang Ancient Village Pottery Market (950m from the village gate)

Bat Trang market — (Source: @lasvegas1988)

Spanning approximately 6000 ^{square meters} , the market boasts hundreds of different shops, transporting visitors into a colorful labyrinth. It impresses visitors with its diverse range of Bat Trang pottery products: household items, decorative objects, religious artifacts, and more. Furthermore, prices here are extremely reasonable, significantly cheaper than shopping at other distribution points. This is likely why Bat Trang Market consistently attracts a large number of tourists.

Bat Trang Rotating Table House (1.9 km from the village gate)

The rotating pottery house is one of the must-see attractions when visiting Bat Trang pottery village. The rotating pottery house, also known as the Bat Trang Pottery Museum, began construction in 2018 with a unique design, showcasing the boundless creativity of the artisans.

This architectural structure is divided into three parts. The first floor houses an exhibition of beautiful ceramic products from renowned artisans and a space for organizing art events. The second floor features a unique design with seven rotating tables forming a graceful curve surrounding the museum. It displays products from Bat Trang pottery village according to different periods, helping visitors learn about the historical journey of Bat Trang. The top rooftop area is very airy and is a popular location for groups to hold entertainment events. The rotating table house is increasingly becoming a super "hot" spot attracting many visitors.

Bat Trang traditional pottery kiln (700m from the village gate)

The Red River B kiln is the only remaining dome-shaped kiln in Bat Trang pottery village. Spanning over 1000 square meters and measuring 15 meters in length, it can handle a very large volume of fired products. Inside, there are five interconnected, shell-shaped arched vaults. Outside the kiln is a showroom and a pottery-making experience area that is very popular with tourists.

Bat Trang traditional kiln — Traditional Bat Trang pottery kiln (Source: @hyuko_hanoi)

The staff at the traditional pottery workshop are very polite and enthusiastic, readily answering customers' questions. Next to this location is a charming, nostalgic cafe with delicious drinks, perfect for visitors to stop by.

Village communal house (1.2km from the entrance to Bat Trang pottery village)

The temple was built to worship six deities who fought against invaders and restored peace to the people. To express their reverence, every detail of the temple was made from the best materials. The columns and beams are made of sturdy ironwood; the temple's platform and foundation are built with bricks produced by the villagers.

Bat Trang village communal house (Source: battrang.egal)

The temple is built in the shape of the Chinese character "二" (two), consisting of two parallel sections: the main hall and the inner sanctuary. It was recognized by the state as a classified architectural and artistic heritage site in 2002. When exploring Bat Trang pottery village, visitors should come here to admire the historical temple, enjoy the breeze, and experience the peaceful atmosphere by the Red River.

Van Van Ancient House

Located at the end of Bat Trang village, the Van Van ancient house has existed for over 200 years and preserves traces of the development of pottery products through different periods. Visitors can enjoy the green space surrounded by trees, sip a cup of tea, and appreciate the artistic and architectural values.

What is there to do in Bat Trang pottery village?

Take photos, check in.

The entire landscape here exudes a traditional, ancient beauty with a brick-red tone. Therefore, visitors can take stunning photos from every angle of the pottery village.

Images of Bat Trang pottery village — (Source: @snowball.0304)

Some suggested check-in locations from the three regions of Vietnam include: the village gate, the pottery market, the potter's wheel house, etc. The photos you take at the pottery village will certainly not disappoint you because of their "vintage" and elegant feel.

Discover the traditional cultural values of craft villages through ceramic products.

Visitors to Bat Trang pottery village will hear stories of the village's long history and visit places of great significance to the local people, such as Bat Trang communal house, Van Van ancient house, and ancient kilns. Furthermore, the enjoyment of visitors is a driving force for the artisans to continue their passion for their craft and preserve the beautiful cultural traditions of the nation.

Visit some workshops in the village and observe the Bat Trang pottery-making process.

Visitors can venture deeper into the village and ask for directions to some pottery workshops such as Minh Quang Pottery, Hung Hoa Pottery, etc. The people of Bat Trang pottery village are extremely hospitable; they are ready to answer all questions for visitors who want to learn about this traditional art form.

When you visit these workshops, you will have the opportunity to observe the pottery-making process from creating the clay body to decorating, glazing, and firing.

Experience making Bat Trang pottery firsthand.

One of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences for visitors to Bat Trang pottery village is the opportunity to try their hand at making a pottery product in the courtyard of the traditional kiln. Visitors will be provided with a potter's wheel and the necessary materials to create their own unique masterpiece.

The staff are incredibly helpful and make customers feel comfortable. In particular, they speak fluent English, so this pottery-making area also attracts foreigners. Visitors can experience making pottery, molding clay, and decorating their own creations before having them fired by the staff. You only need to pay around 40,000 – 60,000 VND for this fun experience and the finished product – very affordable, right?

Painting statues and drawing pictures for children.

Families with young children particularly enjoy visiting Bat Trang pottery village, especially for its statue painting and drawing activities. For just 10,000-15,000 VND, children can have a wonderful experience with their siblings and friends. During the summer and on weekends, the area attracts a large number of young customers, creating a lively atmosphere filled with the joyful laughter of children.

Shopping

When visiting the pottery village, tourists will certainly want to "open their wallets" while exploring the market. Besides owning beautiful products, buying items here is also a way to show respect for the hard work and ingenuity of the artisans who are dedicated to their craft. During Tet (Lunar New Year), the market is more crowded than ever as families begin their preparations for the new year.

Bat Trang Pottery Village Festival

Visiting during the full moon of the second lunar month, tourists will have the opportunity to experience the festive atmosphere of the pottery village held at Bat Trang communal house with many interesting activities such as: the water procession, the bathing of ancestral tablets, the offering to the village deity, folk singing, human chess, etc. Thus, tourists can spend a full day experiencing Bat Trang pottery village at a very low cost. Entrance is free, and you only need to pay about 100,000 VND per person for entertainment or shopping if desired.

What to eat in Bat Trang pottery village?

When visiting the pottery village, don't forget to enjoy some of the famous local dishes at Bat Trang market. Join us as we highlight some must-try dishes from all three regions of Vietnam.

Bamboo shoot and squid soup

Dubbed a dish that "reaches both the mountains and the sea," this is a unique and novel combination of bamboo shoots and squid, reflecting the distinctive character of the people of Bat Trang pottery village. The broth, made from chicken stock, bone broth, and shrimp, has an irresistible flavor.

Every step in the cooking process must be meticulously executed to produce a dish that meets the highest standards, with the rich sweet and salty flavor of squid combined with the crispness of bamboo shoots.

Rice cake

Banh te is a specialty from Hung Yen and Son Tay provinces, made from plain rice, pork belly, wood ear mushrooms, and dong leaves. It's a very familiar dish to Vietnamese people, with a rich, savory flavor and a very affordable price. Don't forget to ask the owner for some extra chili sauce to make the banh te even more delicious!

Baked sweet potato cake – a snack you should try when visiting Bat Trang pottery village.

If you're a huge fan of baked sweet potatoes, you definitely can't miss this dish. In the past, baked sweet potato cake was a famine relief for Vietnamese people, but it has unexpectedly become a local specialty that every tourist wants to try. In Bat Trang, visitors can experience this baked cake with its beautiful purple and yellow colors, which are incredibly appealing and delicious. The baked sweet potato cake has a subtle sweet potato aroma, a sweet taste, and is extremely attractive.

Sticky rice with sweet soup

This is a famous dish from Bat Trang pottery village, especially popular in the summer. Making this dessert requires many meticulous steps. When enjoyed, diners can appreciate its delicate aroma and sweet, rich flavor, sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates. It's considered a must-try dish when visiting Bat Trang.

Wolfberry seed tea

The tea is brewed from high-quality tea buds and wolfberry flowers, boasting a refreshing and delicate aroma. The white color of the flowers combined with the color of the brewed tea creates a visually stunning cup. Importantly, wolfberry flower tea does not cause insomnia, so visitors can enjoy it without worrying about any health issues, unlike other types of tea. Tea has become a refined pleasure for the locals and is gradually becoming a way to promote Bat Trang to tourists from all over.

Experiences visiting Bat Trang pottery village in Hanoi.

Travel Guide 3 Regions will offer some tips to help improve the visitor experience in Bat Trang:

Firstly, visitors can use bicycles to get around the village and explore, an activity that children absolutely love.

Secondly, when shopping, tourists should try bargaining to get a better price.

Thirdly, some products may have defects during the manufacturing process, so tourists should carefully inspect the product before purchasing to ensure their rights are protected.

Fourth, when there are young children present, visitors need to pay attention to safety and avoid breaking or damaging the displayed or sold products.

Secondly, tourists can visit several places near Bat Trang pottery village such as Ecopark, Aeon Mall Long Bien shopping center, etc., to make their experience even more complete.