Hanoi: Incense Village, Bamboo Fish Trap & Soy Sauce Day Trip

Incense colors, bamboo weaving, soy sauce scents: Vietnam’s crafts up close

You’ll step beyond Hanoi into villages where crafts are still alive: roll incense sticks in Quang Phu Cau, watch bamboo fish traps come together in Thu Sy, and sample Ban Yen Nhan’s famous soy sauce straight from the source. With a local guide and hotel pickup included, you’ll feel part of rural rhythms, and probably leave with your hands smelling sweetly smoky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Traditional crafts and village visits

• Visit Quang Phu Cau Incense Village
• Take photos of colorful incense bundles
• Watch traditional incense stick making
• Meet friendly villagers and hear stories
• Explore Thu Sy fish trap crafting village
• See traditional fish trap weaving
• Take photos of fish trap craft
• Visit Ban Yen Nhan soy sauce village
• Discover traditional soy sauce making

The experience

I’d seen photos of Quang Phu Cau incense village before, but nothing really prepares you for the real thing. The colors hit first: hot pinks and reds everywhere, like someone spilled paint on the whole courtyard. Our guide, Hien, joked that even after years he still finds incense dust in his shoes. I tried rolling a stick myself (not as easy as it looks) and the smell (sweet, smoky) stuck to my hands all morning. The villagers didn’t mind our clumsy attempts. One older woman just grinned and patted my arm when I dropped half my bundle.

The drive out to Thu Sy fish trap village was quiet except for the hum of motorbikes and the occasional rooster. It’s only about an hour from Hanoi but feels like another world: fields stretching out, air thick with that green rice smell. Watching the weavers work was kind of hypnotic. Their fingers moved so fast over the bamboo strips, making these delicate fish traps they’ve been doing for generations. I tried to follow along but mostly just ended up with splinters (worth it). Someone’s radio played old Vietnamese pop in the background. That’s what sticks with me for some reason.

Ban Yen Nhan soy sauce village was our last stop. Just 25km from Hanoi but honestly I’d never heard of it before this day trip. The scent there is different: salty-sweet, almost nutty. We tasted a little straight from the barrel (salty punch right away), and Hien explained how every family has their own recipe passed down forever. Li laughed when I tried to say “tuong” in Mandarin, probably butchered it, and then showed us how they stir the vats with these long wooden paddles. There’s something comforting about seeing food made this way, slow and patient.

I keep thinking about those moments: the sticky incense powder on my hands or that first taste of soy sauce that lingered way longer than I expected. If you want a day trip from Hanoi that actually feels personal (and not just another checklist), this one surprised me in all the right ways.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in central Hanoi (Old Quarter), entrance fees at each craft village, bottled water to keep cool between stops, a professional local guide (with multilingual options on private tours), plus hands-on chances to make your own incense sticks, which you can take home as a souvenir before heading back to Hanoi by air-conditioned vehicle.

Options for this experience

6 options

Incense Village Guide, No CarGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00One-hour local tour guide: the guide meets you at the incense village and begins the tour there, covering only the incense village. Suited to travelers who already have a car and simply want to book a local guide. Car transfer and entrance fees are not included. Pickup is included.

Incense Village and Hat VillageGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00 and 12:00Small group tour visiting only the incense village and conical hat village, with one free hat per person to paint in the hat village and take home. Lasts 6 hours, with pickup included.

Private Incense and Hat TourGuide in 12 languages · 5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00Only two villages: the incense village and the hat village. Each person can paint a free conical hat and take it home as a personalized souvenir. Pickup is included.

See 3 more options

Incense, Hat, Lacquer and MealGuide in English or Vietnamese · 08:00Small group tour visiting three villages: the incense village, the conical hat village and the lacquer painting village, plus a delicious home-cooked lunch. Lasts one day. Lunch is authentic home-cooked Vietnamese food prepared by a local artisan's family, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options well served. Pickup is included.

Private: Incense, Hat and LacquerGuide in 12 languages · 08:00, 09:00, 12:00 and 13:00Private tour visiting three villages: the incense village, the hat village and the lacquer painting village. Lasts 7 hours, with pickup included.

Incense Village, Bamboo Fish Trap Village and Soy Sauce Tour from HanoiGuide in 12 languages · 5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00Private tour lasting 8 hours, with pickup included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Child (1 to 4 years)

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Thai and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by INCENSE VILLAGE HANOI TOUR

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Russian, Thai, Korean, Chinese and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 4 years).

How far is Quang Phu Cau incense village from Hanoi?

Quang Phu Cau is located within easy driving distance from Hanoi. It's included as part of this day trip itinerary.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter area (except “Local Guide” option).

Can I try making incense sticks during the tour?

Yes, you’ll get to try rolling incense sticks yourself at Quang Phu Cau village, and take some home too.

What makes Ban Yen Nhan soy sauce special?

Ban Yen Nhan is known for its traditional soy sauce recipes passed down through generations. It’s considered among Vietnam’s best.

How far is Ban Yen Nhan soy sauce village from Hanoi?

The village is about 25km from Hanoi: a short journey by car as part of your day trip itinerary.