Explore Bat trang village & Ceramics factories with local guide

It was a really fun experience. Started with a pottery class and unexpectedly was the only one doing the village tour. Sonny was an amazing guide. We went through different types of pottery productions. Lunch was yummy too!

Amazing tour for a reasonable price. Our tour guide is very friendly and professional. The pottery instructor was also very helpful and she helped us successfully make two pottery pieces that we will cherish forever.

Really enjoyed this tour which started with a 1.5 hour pottery workshop at the Old Quarter shop - they realised that I would be leaving in 2 days so they made sure that my completed pieces would be ready the next evening. After the workshop, Tony, the boss, took me on a “private” tour to Bat Trang as I was the only one who signed up for it. He said he would not cancel even if only one person signed up. I appreciated that a lot. We walked around Bat Trang village, popping into several factories - he is familiar with all of them, including his uncle’s factory that specialises in glazing, and his own factory that does handpainted pieces. It was fascinating to see how the pieces we see in shops are created - this has deepened my appreciation of the artisans’ craft. Even if moulds are used to create many pieces at once, each piece still requires special attention - from refining to glazing to firing and then painting. We wrapped up with a walk through the ancient village - thru narrow alleys. Very good tour - it’s only 10$ more than the workshop. So if you have the time do consider this! I don’t think tourists going to Bat Trang on their own would have been able to just walk into factories to see what goes on behind the scenes.

Great. Learned a lot about the village and pottery

We had Sony as our guide, from a family with generations making pottery and ceramics at Bat Trang. The tour showed us the different types of factories and methods to make high volume and hand crafted ceramic items. We saw hand crafting experts glazing, making, trimming and painting Duffy products. Sony also gave information on the history of the area and its significance across Vietnam. The tour involved walking through the factories, village and ended at the local market. We also saw the old wooden kiln and had lunch at a cafe specialising in local cuisine. You won’t go hungry! It’s a good idea to have comfortable walking shoes, and many of the factories and buildings have unique stair cases. You also go near a few kilns - so it can get a little warm at times. If we hadn’t booked the tour, we would have probably only found the market, without getting an understanding of the process, a feel for the township and history of the craft. The tour usually includes time to try your hand at making items - but with the firing and finishing, you need to be there two days later to get your finished item back at the shop. Well worth while, and Sony was informative, enthusiastic and a great guide.

What an eye-opening experience visiting the factories where ceramics are hand-molded, poured, and trimmed in Bat Trang. My guide who owned the shop in Hanoi and whose family owned two factories in the village was a great communicator, brought a bottle of water for me, and checked-in with me as we went along. And the pottery at the end of class was super fun too! I got my pieces back in just over a day. Every tourist should see the attention to detail and time taken to perfect the craft and the people behind the products we consume.

This tour was one of the best highlights of the side tours from Hanoi for us. First we spent 1.5 hour in local shop in Hanoi learning to make our own pottery on the spin table. Our lovely instructor was very gracious and patient with us. I must have gone through 10 blocks of clay before I could produce a decent vase. You later can pick a glaze color the the shop will fire the pottery in their kiln. This process will take 2 days and the result was fantastic for us to bring home. Afterward the tour guide took us to Bac Trang Village about 40 minutes away. One nice thing about this tour is the tour guide family has two factories in Bac Trang therefore we could get the insider observation and talk to the workers in the factories. We had many questions and they were answered honestly without trade secrets. We also visited old town and the ancient original wood fire kiln. We toured different areas of the village which all have different specialties of pottery making. Also included was delicious lunch Bun Cha grilled pork. Tour was around 5.5 hours total. Very highly recommended

Really excellent tour and throwing class, we got 1.5hr on the wheel throwing pottery to begin with and then taken to Bat Trang and shown through multiple pottery factories, as well as getting to see some of the old village and the dragon kiln. The included lunch was also very nice. The pottery instructor and tour guide both spoke good english and were very kind

The morning started with Hang demonstrating the pottery wheel and different shapes of bowls, plates, and cups. She was phenomenal!!! After serving a master potter from her village of Bat Trang for over a year, her skill and knowledge guided the novice person to the experienced pottery person to make exceptional art to take home! She not only guided but taught in an educational way. After your work was completed, a family traditional glaze could be added to your work. I then traveled by private car to Bat Trang with Sony, to experience the ancient village. We toured 3-4 factories and saw different products in all phases of completion. Learned so much about the Ancient Village of Bat Trang and their history and culture. Not only did we see factories, we were able to talk with the workers and artists. We walked through the ancient village, saw the kilns that fired the bricks for the Citadel in Hanoi in ancient times. We ate lunch at a small restaurant serving home made Vietnamese cuisine. Cooked as you watched. After lunch toured other factories and shops Best tour I did in Hanoi. Very reasonable!

The tour and pottery class was fantastic. The best tour I did in Hanoi !!!! Hang, who taught the pottery class was amazing. She had served over a year with a master potter and her skill was unbelievable. She guided both novice and veteran potters to make extraordinary pottery. The family’ secret glaze with the finish, made the pieces outstanding. After the class we went with the shop’s owner, Sony to Bat Trang to the pottery village. Toured 3-4 factories. Saw products being made in all different stages. All different examples While going to the different factories, walked through the ancient buildings of Bat Trang. Saw the kilns that fired the bricks for the Citadel in Hanoi. Lunch was provided at an authentic Vietnamese woman. Food was home made and fresh. Very reasonable and a must do to see the ancient culture of pottery in Vietnam.