Top Northern Vietnam Arts & Design

Experience one of Vietnam’s most storied and traditional forms of entertainment, the water puppet show. Originating in the Red River delta, the puppets are on long sticks and use the water’s surface as the stage. Topics of the shows include everyday life, myths, and Vietnamese legends. You’ll enjoy skip-the-line access and the choice of several showtimes.

Learn to cook like a local during this lesson in Hanoi. After meeting up with an informative instructor in the historic Old Quarter, head to the city’s largest market and learn about the basics of Vietnamese cooking. Pick the best produce and spices, then cook several authentic dishes. Afterward, enjoy your creations while sipping complimentary rice wine.

What makes this tour truly special is the unique combination of local culture, hidden photo spots, and iconic Hanoi experiences in one seamless journey. Instead of visiting only famous landmarks, you will explore Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, where thousands of vibrant red incense sticks create one of the most stunning and photogenic scenes near Hanoi while learning about a centuries-old traditional craft. The tour also brings you to the famous Hanoi Train Street, where you can relax at a local café and feel the excitement as a train slowly passes through the narrow street just meters away. Along the way, you will discover Vietnam’s rich history at Hoa Lo Prison, admire the peaceful beauty of the Temple of Literature, and visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex and Tran Quoc Pagoda. The day ends like a true Hanoian with a cup of creamy Vietnamese egg coffee, making this tour a perfect blend of culture, history, and authentic local life. ✨

The vanishing craft of creating fish traps is kept alive by a handful of elderly workers, who expertly weave bamboo and other materials into intricate traps. Against the backdrop of an old, weathered house, the scene is one of tradition and timelessness. It's a beautiful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural practices and the wisdom of our elders. The striking visual contrast of the aged workers' hands deftly weaving the traps with the aged walls of the house creates an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and inspiring. This photo tour offers a glimpse into a world that is quickly disappearing, and captures the essence of life in the rural countryside of Vietnam.

Escape the hustle of Hanoi on a peaceful day tour to three renowned traditional craft villages. Visit Chuong, Ha Thai, and Quang Phu Cau to explore the age-old arts of conical hat making, lacquerware, and incense. Along the way, meet local artisans, learn about their techniques, and experience hands-on activities like painting lacquer and crafting your own hat. Enjoy a delicious, home-cooked Vietnamese meal at a local’s house, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available. Take home a conical hat you made yourself—an unforgettable souvenir of Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.

Discover the hidden gems of northern Vietnam on a unique day trip to Quang Phu Cau incense village and Huong Pagoda. Start your journey with a visit to Quang Phu Cau, where you’ll be amazed by the vivid red incense sticks spread out like flowers in the sun. Meet skilled artisans, learn about a craft passed down for over 100 years, and capture incredible photos in this colorful, cultural village. Continue to Huong Pagoda, Vietnam’s most sacred Buddhist site. Enjoy a peaceful boat ride along the Yen Stream, surrounded by rice fields and green hills. Visit ancient pagodas, explore the famous Huong Tich Cave, and take in breathtaking views from the mountain—whether you hike or ride the cable car. Stop by Thien Tru Pagoda for more cultural wonders and peaceful moments. This tour offers a perfect blend of tradition, spirituality, and natural beauty. Book now for a meaningful and unforgettable Vietnamese experience!

It takes a local to navigate the Old Quarter’s warren of back streets and identify the best street food. On this walking tour, your foodie guide will introduce you to at least seven separate Vietnamese dishes and drinks—from egg coffee and “banh mi” sandwiches through to fresh beer and noodle soup—as they explain Hanoi’s food culture and ingredients. They’ll even collect you from your Old Quarter hotel.

Escape the bustling confines of Hanoi city, and breath the fresh air on this full-day rural Vietnam tour. With a local lunch of goat meat, fried rice and local fruits onboard, you’ll be fueled for an afternoon of action, taking in the scenery by both bamboo boat and mountain bike. See local villagers going about their daily lives as you come to appreciate a quieter slice of Vietnamese culture.

Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter on foot with a foodie guide who introduces you to local cuisine. This street food tour takes you off the beaten path to food stalls and local eateries in Vietnam's capital city. Sample authentic dishes and learn about Vietnamese cuisine. Plus, you can upgrade to add an egg coffee class or visit to the famous Train Street to your itinerary.

Immerse yourself in a relaxing tour from Hanoi through three villages that are famous for their traditional crafts. Discover the arts of lacquerware, incense, and conical hat making as a driver takes you to the Chuong, Ha Thai and Quang Phu Cau villages. Learn about the local culture and craftspeople at each stop, then try your hand at lacquer painting and crafting a hat.

The Quintessence of Tonkin Set at the foot of Thay Pagoda Mountain near Hanoi, The Quintessence of Tonkin is a spectacular open-air performance on a grand water stage. Blending traditional music, dance, water puppetry, and modern lighting, the show beautifully brings Northern Vietnam’s rural life, spirituality, and cultural heritage to life. Before the performance, guests can enjoy a lively village atmosphere with local street food, traditional snacks, and folk games (food is not included in the ticket price and is paid on site). Performed by professional artists and local villagers, this immersive show offers an authentic and unforgettable glimpse into Vietnam’s cultural soul. Three ticket categories are available: Silver, Gold, and Premium.

A 1.5-hour drive from Hanoi, the village of Quang Phu Cau has been making colorful, scented incense sticks since time immemorial. Capture stunning photos of the sticks drying in the sun and locals at work on this private photography tour, with 2-way transfers from any hotel in Hanoi. Your tour escort is a passionate photographer who can recommend angles and translate for villagers, ensuring high-caliber results.

The best way to explore Hanoi is on foot, and a private guide helps you navigate the city like a local. Cover Hanoi's major highlights and learn about its culture from your guide. You'll get personalized attention and can ask your guide as many questions as you like. Check off attractions such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and the famous train street.

Capture Vietnam's authentic heritage handicraft on this immersive half-day photo tour to Chuong Conical Hat Making Village and Quang Phu Cau Incense Village – a treat for culture and photography enthusiasts offering rare glimpses into centuries-old traditions. In Chuong, photograph skilled artisans meticulously weaving iconic Vietnamese conical hats, testaments to remarkable craftsmanship passed down generations. The highlight is the photo opportunities at Quang Phu Cau, renowned for incense production. Explore the largest factory, capturing the mesmerizing process from blending aromatic ingredients to delicate rolling and drying – a sensory delight for your camera. Your knowledgeable guide shares insights into rich customs, ensuring a deeper appreciation for Vietnam's cultural tapestry through your photographs. Immortalize authentic rural charm where age-old crafts thrive, and bring home unique mementos – handcrafted hats or fragrant incense, alongside precious photo memories.

From Hanoi: Quang Phu Cau Incense Village and Train Street Experience. Explore a different side of Hanoi on this half-day cultural journey combining traditional craftsmanship with one of the city’s most iconic sights. Visit Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, where skilled artisans create vibrant red incense sticks using centuries-old techniques. Watch the process from dyeing to sun-drying, and capture stunning photos of this colorful and uniquely Vietnamese craft. Then head back to Hanoi to experience the famous Train Street, where local life unfolds just steps from the railway tracks. Feel the thrill as the train passes through the narrow residential street before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. With hotel pickup in the Old Quarter included, this tour offers the perfect mix of culture, authenticity, and unforgettable photo moments.

First, awaken your senses at Quang Phu Cau, the mesmerizing Incense Village. Witness a sea of vibrant red as thousands of incense sticks are meticulously crafted and laid out to dry, creating a breathtaking visual spectacle. Breathe in the fragrant blend of natural herbs and spices Next, journey to Thai Ha, a haven for exquisite lacquerware. Step into the workshops of master artisans and observe their skilled hands as they transform raw materials into stunning works of art. See the painstaking process of layering and polishing lacquer Finally, experience the charm of Chuong Village, the birthplace of the iconic Vietnamese conical hat. Not only will you witness the creation of these elegant hats, but you'll also have the unique opportunity to try your hand at crafting your own! adding another layer to its rich craft heritage. This interactive experience allows you to connect directly with the traditions that define Vietnamese culture.

This tour goes beyond sightseeing by combining authentic local experiences, hands-on activities, and cultural storytelling. Travel by classic Jeep, explore Bat Trang with local artisans, join a pottery workshop, and enjoy traditional Hanoi cuisine—creating a meaningful and immersive journey rather than a typical tour.

Highlights: 1. Private car pick up and drop off at your hotel/ homestay 2. Water puppetry is a "cultural specialty" of Vietnam's wet rice cultivation farmers. A lot of countries in the world have puppetry art, but only Vietnam has Water Puppetry. Enjoy the magical sounds of Water Puppetry performed by traditional Vietnamese instruments such as Erhu, Flute, Zither, Monochord and Cheo singing.

Over the course of a full day, you’ll get a comprehensive tour of Bai Dinh Pagoda—the largest in Southeast Asia—and the Trang An Landscape Complex, all led by a local guide. The latter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its scenic river valley of limestone karsts, a living geological ‘museum’ and a must-see for nature lovers. Lunch and a boat ride are included, along with hotel transport from Hanoi.

Learn about the history of indigo batik among the Hmong people in Sapa and discover how it became part of their traditional dress. During the workshop, you’ll hear the story of how batik began, then create your own piece to take home. Before starting, the guide will explain the process and share a legend about honey collectors who discovered indigo dye and wax techniques, which inspired the unique patterns still used today. We have branches in Sapa and Hanoi. Please book the option based on where you are staying, and note there is an additional fee of 500,000 VND per person.

- Hidden Gems: Visiting obscure, non-touristy coffee shops in narrow alleys that preserve Hanoi’s old-world charm. - Cultural Storytelling: Each stop tells a story about Hanoi’s history, from Chinese and French colonial influences to modern resilience. - Sensory Experience: The aroma of robusta beans, the clink of coffee cups, the chatter of locals, and the visual contrast of bustling streets vs. quiet alleys. - Slow Travel: Emphasizing a break from Hanoi’s chaotic pace to savor the moment and connect with the city’s soul. - Interactive Elements: Learning to make Vietnamese egg coffee, hearing personal stories from café owners, or tasting regional coffee variations.

The Ho Chi Minh Complex and Temple of Literature are two of Ho Chi Minh City’s most visited attractions and serve as important reminders of Vietnam’s past. With this tour, learn about the communist revolutionary and former Vietnamese Prime Minister as you visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda, then travel further back in time to the Ly and Tran dynasties by exploring the history of the Temple of Literature.

Step away from the bustle of Hanoi and discover the authentic charm of two traditional craft villages renowned for their centuries-old heritage. Journey to Chuong Village and Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, where the timeless arts of conical hat making and vibrant incense production still thrive. Meet skilled artisans, observe their meticulous techniques, and gain deeper insight into the beauty of rural Vietnamese craftsmanship. Try painting and assembling your own conical hat with hands-on guidance from the experts. At the end of your trip, bring home your handcrafted creation — a meaningful keepsake of Vietnam’s enduring cultural artistry.