Lacquerware, a unique traditional handicraft art form, is not only a source of pride for Vietnam but also a testament to the sophistication and creativity of Vietnamese artisans. Among the cradles of lacquer art, Ha Thai village, located in Thuong Tin district, Hanoi, shines as a highlight, preserving and developing this traditional craft for hundreds of years. Join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around the World) to explore the beauty and cultural values deeply embedded in Ha Thai lacquer village, to better understand this unique artistic heritage.
Ha Thai Lacquer Village: Cradle of the Craft
Ha Thai village, an ancient village nestled beside the poetic Red River, has been known for lacquerware making since the 17th century. According to legend, the lacquer craft in Ha Thai originated from a mandarin named Ung Vuong, who learned lacquer techniques from China and passed them on to the villagers. Since then, lacquer art has gradually taken root and developed strongly in Ha Thai, becoming the main livelihood of the local people.
Through historical ups and downs, Ha Thai lacquer village has persistently maintained and promoted traditional values. Ha Thai lacquer products are not only popular domestically but have also reached international markets, affirming the village’s position on the world’s handicraft map. Coming to Ha Thai, visitors not only admire exquisite lacquer works but also immerse themselves in the traditional craft village’s cultural space, feeling the slow and peaceful pace of life of the local people.
Exquisite Lacquerware Crafting Process
To create a complete lacquer artwork, Ha Thai artisans must go through a sophisticated and meticulous crafting process, requiring skill, patience, and dedication. This process includes many complex stages, from selecting materials, processing the core, shaping, priming, grinding, drawing, to top coating. Each stage is done manually, passed down from generation to generation, creating lacquer products imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity and artistic essence.
The main material for making lacquer is resin from the lacquer tree (Rhus succedanea), a precious resin harvested from Phu Tho mountains. After harvesting, lacquer resin undergoes a complex preliminary processing to remove impurities and achieve the necessary purity. Besides lacquer resin, artisans also use other materials such as gold, silver, eggshells, mother-of-pearl, mineral pigments… to create diversity and uniqueness for lacquer artworks.
The Ha Thai lacquer making process can be summarized in the following main steps:
- Core making: Lacquer cores are usually made of wood, bamboo, or plywood. Craftsmen shape the product according to the design, then treat the core surface to ensure smoothness and good adhesion for the lacquer layers.
- Priming: This is an important step to protect the core and create a base layer for the subsequent steps. Priming is usually done in multiple layers, each layer is sanded smooth before applying the next layer.
- Grinding: Grinding requires meticulousness and experience from the craftsman. Grinding helps create a flat, smooth surface for the lacquer, while also creating special effects for the artwork.
- Drawing and decoration: After grinding, artisans proceed to draw or inlay decorative patterns on the product surface. The patterns often bear bold traditional Vietnamese cultural features such as lotus flowers, cranes, rural landscapes…
- Top coating: The final top coating layer not only protects the product surface but also enhances the beauty and durability of the lacquer artwork.
Vietnamese artisans meticulously crafting lacquerware in Ha Thai village.
Experiences in Ha Thai Lacquer Village
Coming to Ha Thai lacquer village, visitors will have the opportunity to experience many interesting and meaningful activities, exploring deeper into this unique traditional craft.
Visiting workshops: Visitors can visit lacquer workshops in the village, witnessing firsthand the elaborate and meticulous lacquer making process of artisans. Here, you will be introduced to the history of the craft village, the stages of making lacquer, and chat and interact with artisans who are passionate about their craft.
Lacquer making experience: If you want to try your hand at lacquer art, visitors can participate in short-term classes or practical experiences at the workshop. Under the enthusiastic guidance of artisans, you will be able to perform basic steps such as priming, grinding, drawing… to create a simple lacquer product with your personal mark. This will definitely be a memorable experience and help you better understand the value of traditional handicrafts.
Shopping for lacquer products: Ha Thai village is an ideal place for visitors to buy lacquer products as souvenirs or home decorations. At stores in the village, you can find countless lacquer products diverse in designs, styles and prices, from lacquer paintings, vases, tea trays, jewelry boxes, to high-end interior decoration items. Shopping for lacquer products at the craft village not only helps you own unique items imbued with cultural value but also contributes to supporting and developing the traditional craft of Ha Thai village.
Exploring village culture: Besides lacquer art, Ha Thai village also retains the cultural beauty of a Vietnamese village with ancient houses, winding village roads, and a peaceful and tranquil space. Visitors can stroll around the village, visit the village temple, ancient pagoda, learn about local history and culture, and enjoy local specialties of Thuong Tin countryside.
Local Cuisine Near the Lacquer Village
After exploring Ha Thai lacquer village, visitors can enjoy local specialties of Thuong Tin countryside at eateries and restaurants near the village. Thuong Tin cuisine is famous for its rustic dishes, rich in homeland flavor, using fresh local ingredients. Some dishes you should try when coming to Thuong Tin include:
- Ga Mong (Mong Chicken): Mong chicken is a precious breed of Thuong Tin, famous for its firm and delicious meat. Mong chicken can be processed into many attractive dishes such as boiled chicken, grilled chicken, salt-roasted chicken, chicken hotpot…
- Vit Co Van Dinh (Van Dinh Duck): Van Dinh is also a famous place in Thuong Tin, known for its delicious Van Dinh duck. Van Dinh duck has tender, sweet, and lean meat, often processed into dishes such as grilled duck, duck stewed with sour fruits, duck hotpot…
- Bun Rieu Cua (Crab Noodle Soup): Bun rieu cua is a familiar rustic dish of the North, but Thuong Tin bun rieu cua has its own unique flavor. Thuong Tin bun rieu cua broth has a mild sour and sweet taste, rich crab roe, served with fresh raw vegetables.
- Banh Cuon Thanh Tri (Thanh Tri Steamed Rice Rolls): Although Thanh Tri belongs to Hanoi, it is very close to Thuong Tin. Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls are famous for their thin, soft layers, delicious meat filling, served with sweet and sour dipping sauce.
Travel Tips for Ha Thai Lacquer Village
To have a complete and meaningful trip to explore Ha Thai lacquer village, visitors should note some small tips below:
- Ideal time to visit: The best time to come to Ha Thai lacquer village is in autumn (September – November) or spring (February – April). The weather in these seasons is cool and pleasant, suitable for sightseeing and outdoor experiences.
- Transportation: Ha Thai village is about 30km from the center of Hanoi, visitors can travel by motorbike, private car or bus. If traveling by bus, you can take bus route number 06 or 94 from the center of Hanoi to Thuong Tin, then take a motorbike taxi or taxi to Ha Thai village.
- Dress code: You should choose comfortable and polite clothes when visiting the craft village. If participating in lacquer making experiences, you should wear dark clothes to avoid getting paint stains.
- Shopping: When shopping for lacquer products, you should refer to prices at different stores to choose a satisfactory product at a reasonable price. You should prioritize buying directly at workshops or reputable stores to ensure product quality and origin.
- Respect for culture: Ha Thai village is a traditional craft village, visitors should respect the culture and customs of the local people. Maintain general hygiene, do not make noise, cause disorder, and behave civilly and politely when communicating with people.
Conclusion
Ha Thai lacquer village is not only an attractive tourist destination but also a place to preserve and promote the precious traditional cultural and artistic values of Vietnam. The journey to explore Ha Thai lacquer village will bring visitors memorable experiences, helping you better understand the exquisite beauty of lacquer art, the talent of Vietnamese artisans, and the cultural beauty of Vietnamese villages. Come to Ha Thai to feel and cherish these priceless heritage values.