Hanoi Villages: Incense, Hat Making & Lacquer Art Day Trip

Summary

Crafts, incense & hat making in Hanoi’s artisan villages

You’ll join a small group day trip from Hanoi to three craft villages—try your hand at lacquer painting in Ha Thai, share lunch with a local hat maker in Chuong, and wander through Quang Phu Cau’s vibrant incense workshops. Expect laughter over imperfect crafts and honest moments with artisans who welcome you into their world.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed in Ha Thai village was the quiet tap-tap of brushes on wood. Our guide, Minh, waved us inside a lacquer workshop—there was this sweet smell of resin and something like old wood mixed with paint. The artisan showed us how to layer gold leaf onto black lacquer. My hands shook a bit (I’m not exactly an artist), but nobody minded. Minh just grinned and said, “You’ll remember your first try.” I still have that little piece at home, smudges and all.

We drove out to Chuong village next—fields flickered past the window, people waving from bikes. There was a woman named Lan who’d been making nón lá hats since she was a teenager. She laughed when I tried weaving the palm leaves; it’s harder than it looks! Lunch happened right in her house—lemongrass chicken, rice, something green I couldn’t name but tasted fresh and peppery. Her grandkids peeked around the doorframe while we ate. Afterward, Lan let us paint our own hats. Mine ended up lopsided but kind of charming.

Quang Phu Cau incense village hit me with color before anything else—bundles of red and yellow sticks drying everywhere you looked. The air was thick with sandalwood smoke and chatter from families working together. We watched as they dyed incense sticks in huge vats; my shoes almost slipped on the wet floor (should’ve worn different ones). The main factory was louder, machines humming while workers bundled sticks by hand. Minh told us about how each family has their own recipe for scent—some secrets never leave the village.

By the time we headed back to Hanoi (with our hats wobbling on our laps), I realized how much these crafts are tied to real people’s lives—not just souvenirs or photos for Instagram. It’s odd what sticks with you: that resin smell, Lan’s laugh, or just sitting quietly watching someone’s hands move over their work.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Traditional crafts villages tour

• Visit Ha Thai lacquerware village
• Create your own lacquer painting
• Travel to Chuong conical hat village
• Meet war veteran or local artisans
• Enjoy home-cooked lunch
• Paint or make a conical hat
• Explore Quang Phu Cau incense village
• Visit household dyeing incense sticks
• Tour largest incense factory
• Return to Hanoi, optional drop-off

Top questions

How long is the Hanoi craft villages tour?

The full day trip runs from morning until around 5:30–6:00pm including return transfer to Hanoi.

Is lunch included on this Hanoi day trip?

Yes, a home-cooked Vietnamese lunch is included at a local artisan's house in Chuong village.

Do I get to make my own conical hat?

You can try painting or joining part of the hat-making process under guidance in Chuong village.

Are hotel pickups available for this tour?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off within Hanoi city center.

Is this small group tour suitable for kids?

Yes—it’s suitable for all ages and offers infant seats if needed.

What do we do at Quang Phu Cau incense village?

You’ll walk through the village, visit homes where incense is dyed, see large-scale production, and take photos of colorful incense bundles.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals are available during the home-cooked lunch.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned transfers from Hanoi, bottled water throughout the journey, all entry fees and taxes covered, plus a home-cooked Vietnamese lunch served at an artisan's home—with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. You’ll also receive your own conical hat as a keepsake before heading back to Hanoi in the evening.