About Van Phuc Silk Village
Van Phuc Silk village also known as Ha Dong Silk village is a thousand-year-old traditional craft village in Hanoi. Despite the increasing pace of urbanization, inside this village still remains testament for history such as ancient houses, old banyan trees, water wharfs, communal yards, or markets.
Van Phuc Silk village gate
In 1931, Van Phuc silk took its first steps onto the international stage at the Marseille Fair, captivating the French with its exquisite quality. This initial success paved the way for exports to Eastern Europe in 1958 and subsequent global distribution. In spite of the ups and downs of history, Van Phuc Silk still consistently maintained their exceptional quality and was highly recognized by the French for their meticulous care and sophistication.
How to get there
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Address: Van Phuc Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi, on the bank of the gentle Nhue River, more than 10 kilometers away from the city center
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Entrance fee: Free
A well-visited spot in Hanoi's inner city
You can easily reach the Van Phuc Village by bus or technology motorbike taxi with a cheap fee depending on your distance.
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By bus: The bus routes that serve Van Phuc Silk Village are numbers 3, 07, 14, 20c, 25, 26, 31, 32, 36, 50, 55, and 79.
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Technology motorbike taxi: Grab, Be, Xanh SM.
Best time to visit
Van Phuc Silk village welcomes tourists all year-round. However, if you want to visit this attraction in the most favorable weather of Hanoi, we recommend winter and early spring (from November to March).
Visit Van Phuc village during its festival time will make your trip more interesting
In particular, from November 8th to 17th, the Van Phuc Silk Village Craft Festival will be held, encompassing three key components: a ceremony, a fair, and promotional activities. The iconic umbrella road and village entrance are adorned with festive decorations and warm yellow lights, creating a miniature Hoi An-like atmosphere in Hanoi.
What to expect
Learn silk weaving technique
There are 2 well-known types of silk in Van Phuc Silk village: Van silk and Satin silk. Each type variety boasts its unique charm and versatility, making it perfect for creating a wide range of clothing styles. These two types of silk are alike in that they require meticulous craftsmanship and proper time to form the high quality of “made in Van Phuc Silk village” products.
Creating quality silk requires a significant amount of meticulousness
While modern technology may contribute to the production process, you can still observe skilled artisans demonstrating intricate techniques, from silkworms to weaving to dyeing and finishing. This firsthand experience allows you to appreciate the wide range of silk and garment options available, including wrinkled silk, embroidered silk, traditional glossy silk, embroidered double layers, and more.
Take Instagrammable photos at umbrella road
As you enter the village gate, you'll be greeted by a mesmerizing spectacle of colorful umbrellas. Stretching overhead for approximately 100 meters, this vibrant canopy creates a stunning backdrop for your photos. This spectacular umbrella road also symbolizes the vibrant silk creations that await your discovery.
This road is the most iconic spot in the village
Drop by the unique mural wall
Aside from the numerous silk stalls, you can visit the captivating Mural wall, painted by the villagers. This artwork showcases a panoramic view of the village, with symbolic details such as the banyan tree, communal houses, and, of course, the intricate silk.
Mural wall in the village
Admire the ancient vibe of the wooden bridge
This bridge, at first sight, may appear quite similar to the Cau Pagoda in Hoi An, with its short length, dome shape, and wooden construction. It's a popular gathering place for locals to enjoy the gentle breeze and turquoise water or try their luck at fishing.
Wooden bridge
Visit Van Phuc Silk stalls
Van Phuc Silk village offers the feeling of immersing in the silk city because there are numerous vibrant silk stalls all over the area. Along the road, you'll find a variety of stylish clothing and unique souvenirs on display. If you're interested, the friendly shopkeepers will happily guide you through the different materials and colors that suit your skin tone and desired weight.
There are diverse garments in each shop
These are two well-known stalls in the village with average price about 41 USD per garment depending on thickness, thinness and pattern.
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Trieu Van Mao silk weaving facility: No. 10, Van Phuc Ward.
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Phuong Linh Silk: No. 17&12, Van Phuc Ward.
Tips
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Don't be afraid of bargaining at silk stalls to get your acceptance price.
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You should opt for a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the silk production process and learn more about the local traditions and customs.
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If possible, visit during the cultural week in November to experience the vibrant atmosphere and special events.
To gain more insights, navigate to our post about old villages in Hanoi.
Offering captivating hands-on experiences and easily accessible, Van Phuc Silk village is a fantastic addition to your Hanoi travel plans. Beyond this historical village, Hanoi features many other famous landmarks. Visit our New Asia Tours website to explore more enchanting attractions on the Vietnam tour.
