Hue’s traditional craft villages leave a strong impression on international visitors with their rustic beauty yet rich cultural value. Each handicraft product reflects the essence of the former imperial capital, where history, art, and local life intertwine. If you’re seeking a unique experience when visiting Hue, join Laguna Lăng Cô in exploring these distinctive, long-standing craft villages.
Index
Thuy Xuan incense making village
Thuy Xuan Incense Making Village is located about 7km from the center of Hue. With a history spanning over 700 years, this place has become one of the destinations deeply imbued with the cultural imprint of the ancient capital. While strolling through here, visitors will easily be captivated by the colorful bundles of incense drying under the sun. This scene is not only vibrant but also carries the gentle, characteristic aroma of agarwood.
If you want to bring back a little piece of Hue, you can choose to buy agarwood, cinnamon, or lemongrass incense as gifts. Additionally, some establishments here combine displays with demonstrations of conical hat making (chằm nón lá). This offers visitors a more complete experience of Hue’s handicraft culture.
Tay Ho conical hat naking village
The conical hat (nón lá) has long been associated with the gentle image of Vietnamese women. Especially in Hue, the flowing áo dài paired with the poem conical hat (nón bài thơ) creates a uniquely charming beauty.
Tay Ho village, 12km from Hue, is the cradle of conical hat making. The hats from here are famous for their lightness, thinness, and exquisite stitching. Furthermore, the unique hidden poetic patterns are an unmissable highlight. To complete one hat, artisans must go through more than 15 meticulous steps, from selecting leaves and drying them to stitching the hat.
Despite the changes over time, Tay Ho village continues to preserve its traditional values. Thanks to this, the Hue conical hat has become a cultural symbol of Vietnam.
Thanh Tien paper flower village
Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village lies along the southern bank of the Perfume River, in Phu Mau commune, Phu Vang district. This is one of the traditional craft villages with over 300 years of history.
The village is famous for its brilliant paper flowers. They are not only beautiful but also carry deep cultural significance, symbolizing harmony between humans and nature. Notably, each flower stalk embodies Eastern philosophy, with the three central blossoms representing Heaven – Earth – Human (Thiên – Địa – Nhân) or Ruler – Teacher – Father (Quân – Sư – Phụ).
Today, the village maintains its traditional values. At the same time, artisans also creatively design many new flower models, attracting tourists to visit and experience the art of handmade paper flowers.
Phuoc Tich pottery village
Phuoc Tich Pottery Village (Phong Dien district) is about 45km from the center of Hue. It is one of the oldest craft villages in Central Vietnam. Previously, the village supplied pottery to the Nguyen Dynasty court. Today, its products still bear a strong traditional mark, from large jars, pots, and clay ovens to intricate works of art.
The distinctive feature of Phuoc Tich pottery lies in its delicate carving techniques. This technique creates lively folk motifs on the products. When visiting, tourists not only discover the art of handmade pottery but can also admire centuries-old houses and immerse themselves in the original cultural space of a Hue countryside village.
A Dot Zeng weaving village
In the mountainous A Luoi region, the Zeng weaving craft of the Ta Oi people is a cultural beauty passed down through many generations. For women here, learning to weave Zeng is not just about continuing tradition but also about preserving their ethnic identity.
Colorful Zeng fabrics are created using intricate hand-weaving techniques. The patterns on the fabric often carry spiritual meanings and symbols of nature. Currently, local artisans not only weave traditional costumes but also create many modern products such as handbags, scarves, and fashion accessories. This helps Zeng reach further into contemporary life. Visitors here can not only admire the products but also have the opportunity to experience the weaving process, appreciating the skill and cultural spirit embedded in every thread.
Most foreign visitors to Hue take the time to explore these craft villages. Because here, they can not only try their hand at making incense, stitching hats, shaping pottery, or weaving Zeng, but they can also choose exquisite handmade products as souvenirs. Each item carries not only aesthetic value but, more importantly, holds the story of the history and traditions of the former capital.
To make your exploration of Hue even more complete, choose Laguna Lăng Cô as your ideal base. The resort not only offers a luxurious relaxation space amidst pristine nature but also integrates many attractive entertainment activities. Notably, Laguna also provides tour services to Hue’s famous destinations, helping guests enjoy a luxurious holiday while having the opportunity to experience local culture deeply and meaningfully.
Conclusion
If you have the chance to set foot in Hue, you should definitely not miss the opportunity to visit these 5 long-standing traditional craft villages. These are not just destinations that fully preserve the cultural beauty and essence of Hue’s crafts, but also places that offer unique experiences for international tourists.
Hopefully, this article from Laguna Lăng Cô will offer you a fresh perspective on Vietnam in general and Hue in particular – a land beautiful not only for its scenery but also rich in tradition and cultural identity.
