Traveling to traditional craft villages in Vietnam is not only a journey to discover the unique beauty of national culture but also an opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves in a peaceful life, experience sophisticated handicraft processes, and enjoy products imbued with local identity. Each craft village is a living museum, preserving and promoting traditional cultural values through generations, while contributing to sustainable tourism development.
Discovering the Cultural Beauty of Vietnamese Craft Villages
Traditional craft villages in Vietnam have long been considered precious gems of national culture. More than just places producing handicrafts, craft villages are also unique cultural spaces, vividly reflecting the economic, social, religious, and artistic life of local communities. Each step of crafting, from selecting raw materials to completing intricate products, embodies the dedication, skill, and professional secrets passed down from generation to generation.
The existence and development of traditional craft villages not only contribute to creating jobs and increasing income for people but also make significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the locality. Moreover, with unique cultural values and products imbued with identity, craft villages are increasingly becoming attractive tourist destinations, attracting domestic and international visitors to visit, experience, and explore.
Phu Quoc Fish Sauce – Sea Essence and Cultural Heritage
Speaking of traditional craft villages in Vietnam, one cannot ignore Phu Quoc fish sauce making, a national intangible cultural heritage. Phu Quoc fish sauce is not only a familiar condiment in Vietnamese daily meals but also a culinary cultural symbol of the southern coastal island region.
To create delicious, rich drops of fish sauce, Phu Quoc artisans must go through a meticulous and elaborate processing procedure. From selecting fresh anchovies from the sea, fermenting fish with salt at a golden ratio in large wooden barrels, to the process of caring for, checking, and extracting fish sauce, each stage requires meticulousness and years of experience.
Tourists coming to Phu Quoc not only immerse themselves in the blue sea and white sand but also have the opportunity to explore traditional fish sauce factories. Here, visitors can witness firsthand the fish sauce production process, learn about the history and culture of the craft, taste the characteristic flavor, and buy delicious, rich fish sauce as gifts.
Tourists being transported by boat to visit the Mekong River by Co.LTD for tourism investment and development in Dong Thap. Photo: Minh Hung – TTXVN
Dinh Yen Mat Weaving – From Reed Fibers to a Unique “Ghost” Market
Dinh Yen mat weaving, another traditional handicraft product recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, is also an attractive cultural tourism destination in Dong Thap. From simple reed fibers, through the skillful hands of artisans, delicate patterned mats with harmonious colors are born.
Dinh Yen mat weaving is not only famous for its quality products but also for its unique mat market that takes place at night, often called the “ghost market” or “yin market”. The market starts from midnight until dawn, when everyone is still fast asleep. In the dim space of the night, the flickering oil lamps and the bustling sounds of buyers and sellers create a mysterious and fascinating scene.
Tourists coming to Dinh Yen can experience the atmosphere of the unique night market, immerse themselves in the rhythm of life of the craft village people, learn about the manual mat weaving process, and buy beautiful mats as gifts. Dinh Yen ghost market is not only a place of trade but also a unique cultural feature, attracting tourists to explore and experience.
Currently Phu Quoc city has more than 50 factories operating, with about 7,000 wooden barrels fermenting fish. Photo: VietnamNet
Sa Dec Flower Village – Colors and Fragrances of the Mekong Delta
Sa Dec flower village, another famous destination in the Mekong Delta, is a paradise of colorful ornamental flowers. With a history of over a hundred years, Sa Dec flower village is not only a place to supply flowers to the whole country but also an attractive ecotourism destination, attracting many tourists to visit, admire, and take photos.
Coming to Sa Dec flower village, visitors will be amazed by the beauty of hundreds of blooming flowers, from roses, chrysanthemums, orchids to unique bonsai trees. Visitors can stroll through vast flower gardens, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the gentle fragrance of flowers and grass.
In addition to admiring flowers, visitors can also participate in experiential activities such as planting flowers themselves, learning how to care for ornamental plants, enjoying local specialties, and shopping for flower souvenirs. Sa Dec flower village is not only an ideal destination for flower lovers but also a place for tourists to learn about the culture and life of the people in the Mekong Delta.
Most households weaving mats in Dinh Yen use weaving machines, helping to improve mat production and quality. (Photo: Nhut An/TTXVN)
Vietnamese Craft Village Quintessence Gathered at Events
To promote and honor the values of traditional craft villages, many events and programs have been organized in major cities, helping urban residents and international tourists have the opportunity to access and discover the quintessence of Vietnamese craft village culture right in the heart of the city.
The program “Quintessence of Craft Villages and Regional Specialties” held in Ho Chi Minh City is a typical example. At this event, artisans from all over the country brought unique handicrafts, demonstrated sophisticated crafting processes, and introduced the unique cultural features of their craft villages.
Visitors to such events not only admire the beauty of handicrafts but also directly interact with artisans, learn about the story behind each product, and feel the dedication and talent of those who keep the traditional craft fires burning. This is a great opportunity for tourists to discover and love Vietnamese cultural values more.
Net house area growing flowers and ornamental plants in Sa Dec Flower Village for tourists to visit and shop at the tourist area. Photo: Minh Hung – TTXVN
Conclusion
Experiencing tourism to traditional craft villages in Vietnam is a meaningful cultural journey, bringing visitors unique discoveries about the history, culture, art, and life of Vietnamese people. Not only is it an opportunity to admire the beauty of handicrafts, craft village tourism is also a chance for tourists to immerse themselves in the cultural space imbued with national identity, meet talented artisans, and feel their dedication and love for their craft. Come and explore the traditional craft villages of Vietnam to fully feel the beauty of culture and people here.