Hanoi Artisan Village Photo Tour: Conical Hats & Incense

Photograph centuries-old crafts as artisans make them

This half-day photo tour from Hanoi visits two working artisan villages: Chuong, where skilled weavers make Vietnam's iconic conical hats, and Quang Phu Cau, a hundred-year-old incense factory where you watch the full production from blending aromatic ingredients to rolling and drying. An English-Vietnamese speaking guide provides context on the traditions, and you have time to photograph the process and the colorful village scenes before returning to the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Temple of Literature1h · entry included
2. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum30m
3. Hoa Lo Prison1h · entry included

Visit hat and incense villages in Hanoi

• Discover conical hat making process
• Decorate traditional Vietnamese hats
• Explore Quang Phu Cau incense village
• Photograph colorful village scenes
• Visit incense factory production
• Return to Hanoi city center

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup in Hanoi and heads to Chuong Conical Hat Making Village, where you meet artisans at work. The conical hat (a symbol woven through Vietnamese culture for thousands of years) is made by hand here using techniques passed down through generations. You watch the process unfold: the careful weaving, the shaping, the finishing touches. The guide explains the significance of the hat in Vietnamese spiritual and daily life as you photograph the craftspeople and their work. You also have the chance to decorate a traditional hat yourself by painting it, turning the observation into a hands-on moment.

From there, the tour moves to Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, which has operated for over a hundred years in the Northern Delta. You walk through the village first, photographing the eye-catching displays of incense sticks drying in the sun: the colorful, layered scenes that draw photographers. Then you enter the factory to see how local artisans produce the incense: blending aromatic ingredients, rolling the sticks by hand, and laying them out to dry. The guide walks you through each step and shares stories about the village's history and the craft itself. The sensory detail (the smell, the precision of the work, the scale of production) gives your photographs context and depth.

The return journey to Hanoi takes about an hour. You can ask to be dropped at Train Street, a famous spot in the city, or another location of your choice. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and all fees and taxes. The guide speaks English and Vietnamese. The full duration is five hours, including travel time.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off in Hanoi with the option to end at Train Street.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-Vietnamese speaking guide.
• bottled water.
• all entrance fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

3 options

Land tour of the incense villageGuide in English · 07:30 and 12:00No bus transfer is included: no bus is provided for pickup or drop-off between Hanoi and the villages, so please arrange your own transportation.

Half-day incense and hat village tourGuide in English · 07:30 and 12:00Pickup is included

Full-day tour of incense, hat and cityGuide in English · 07:30Delicious banh mi, pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 12:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Vietnam Village Vibes

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to photograph working artisans and capture the detail of traditional crafts in their actual setting (the weaving, the rolling, the drying) rather than finished products in a museum. The five-hour timeframe fits both villages into a half-day without rushing the photography at either stop.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What exactly do I photograph at Chuong Conical Hat Making Village?

Chuong Conical Hat Making Village is where artisans hand-weave the iconic Vietnamese conical hat, a craft that has existed for thousands of years. You photograph the weavers at work: the careful interlocking of bamboo strips and palm leaves, the shaping of the cone, and the finishing details. You also have time to paint and decorate a hat yourself, which gives you a moment inside the craft rather than just observing it.

How long do we spend at Quang Phu Cau Incense Village?

Quang Phu Cau is the main stop on the tour. You first walk through the village to photograph the drying incense sticks laid out in the sun: the colorful, layered displays that make the village visually striking. Then you enter the factory to watch the full production process: blending aromatic ingredients, rolling the sticks by hand, and the drying areas. The guide explains each step and the village's hundred-year history.

Is the guide fluent in English?

Yes, your guide speaks both English and Vietnamese throughout the tour, sharing insights into the traditions and craftsmanship at each stop to deepen your understanding of what you are photographing.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off in Hanoi (with the option to end at Train Street or another location), an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and all entrance fees and taxes. Lunch is not included, nor are personal expenses or any items you choose to purchase from the artisans.

Can I buy handcrafted hats or incense to take home?

Yes, you have the opportunity to purchase handmade conical hats from Chuong village and fragrant incense from Quang Phu Cau as souvenirs. These are optional purchases made directly with the artisans or at the factory.

Is this tour suitable for someone sensitive to strong smells?

The incense village involves exposure to the smell of aromatic ingredients and incense production. If you are sensitive to scents, this tour may not be the best fit, as the aroma is a significant part of the experience at Quang Phu Cau.