Hanoi Old Quarter: Pottery Painting Workshop with Local Artist

Summary

Paint Bat Trang pottery in Hanoi’s Old Quarter with a local guide

You’ll sit elbow-to-elbow with locals in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, learning Bat Trang pottery painting from an experienced artist. Mix glazes, paint your own design on real ceramics, and hear stories from the village itself. Your finished piece will be fired overnight for pickup—leaving you with both a handmade souvenir and a memory that lingers longer than clay on your fingers.

What’s the experience like?

A brush gets pressed into my palm before I’ve even sat down. There’s a soft clatter of ceramic bowls on the table, and the woman next to me — Linh, our teacher from Bat Trang — grins like she knows I’m nervous. The workshop is tucked behind shelves of finished vases and teapots at 115 Hang Gai, right in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. It smells faintly of clay and something sweet, maybe incense from the shop next door. I try to copy Linh’s steady hand as she shows us how to outline a lotus flower, but my lines wobble. She laughs gently and says, “No perfect lines in real life.” I like that.

We’re only a few minutes in and already the street noise outside feels far away — just muffled scooter horns and someone calling out for coffee. The Bat Trang pottery painting workshop lasts about 2.5 hours, but honestly I lost track of time once we started mixing colors. The glazes are thicker than I expected, almost creamy under the brush. Linh tells us about her village’s history while we work; apparently Bat Trang has been making ceramics for centuries, which makes my lopsided bowl feel kind of special. She helps me fix a drip without making it a big deal. There’s no rush here, just quiet focus and occasional laughter when someone splashes blue glaze where it shouldn’t go.

I didn’t realize we wouldn’t take our pieces home right away — they need to be fired overnight (sometimes two days), so you have to plan your schedule if you want to pick up your painted pottery later. That part surprised me but also made it feel more real somehow; like the city itself slows down for this process. When we leave, my hands are streaked with color and I keep thinking about how Linh said every bowl carries its own story. Maybe mine will make someone smile back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ceramics painting workshop in Hanoi

• Arrive at 115 Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem
• Learn history of Bat Trang pottery
• Practice painting on ceramics
• Glaze painted pottery
• Complete 2.5-hour workshop

Top questions

Where is the pottery painting workshop held?

The workshop is at 115 Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Old Quarter.

How long does the Bat Trang ceramics class last?

The painting workshop lasts about 2.5 hours per session.

Can I take my painted pottery home immediately?

No, your piece needs 1-2 days to be fired before pickup.

Is there a local guide or teacher during the class?

Yes, an experienced teacher from Bat Trang ceramics village leads the class.

What is included in the price of the workshop?

The price includes one ceramic product to paint, all colors, tools, use of painting wheel, glaze, and firing.

Are children allowed at the workshop?

Infants and small children can attend; specialized seats are available.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the meeting point.

What’s included

Your experience includes all painting tools and ceramic colors you’ll need for your design, use of a painting wheel if you want to try it out, guidance from a Bat Trang village artist throughout the session, glazing for your piece before firing overnight (or up to two days), plus one ceramic item to paint and keep—just remember to return for pickup once it’s ready.