Nestled along the banks of the serene Nhue River, Van Phuc Silk Village shimmers like a jade jewel, safeguarding centuries of cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship. More than just the birthplace of exquisitely soft and lustrous silk, Van Phuc has evolved into a captivating tourist destination, drawing visitors with its timeless beauty, tranquil atmosphere, and unique cultural encounters. If you’re seeking an exploration of traditional craft villages near Hanoi, Van Phuc is an unmissable experience.
Van Phuc: A Millennial Journey of Silk Weaving and Preserving Vietnamese Culture
The History of Van Phuc Silk Village’s Formation and Development
Van Phuc Silk Village, also known as Ha Dong Silk Village, boasts a remarkably long history. According to ancient documents and remaining relics, the craft village originated in the 9th century, specifically in 865 AD. Through over 1000 years of historical ups and downs, Van Phuc has not only survived but flourished, becoming one of the most renowned cradles of silk weaving in Vietnam.
Initially, the village was named Van Bao, signifying the appreciation of local products. However, to avoid the taboo of the Nguyen dynasty’s emperor’s name, it was renamed Van Phuc. The new name embodies the villagers’ aspirations for peace, happiness, and prosperity.
Throughout history, Van Phuc silk has consistently affirmed its superior position and quality. Notably, under the Nguyen dynasty, Van Phuc silk was honored to be chosen as the material for royal attire. Emperors Khai Dinh and Bao Dai both favored and trusted Van Phuc silk, a testament to the product’s đẳng cấp (class) and value.
Van Phuc Silk Village 2020
Van Phuc silk’s fame extends beyond national borders, reaching international markets. In the 1930s, Van Phuc silk was showcased at major exhibitions in Marseille (1931) and Paris (1932). There, it garnered high praise from the French, recognized as one of Indochina’s most exquisite handicrafts. From 1958, Van Phuc silk began exporting to Eastern European countries and gradually expanded its market worldwide, significantly contributing to the nation’s foreign currency earnings.
Today, Van Phuc Silk Village firmly maintains its position as a thriving traditional craft village. Statistics show that nearly 800 households in the village are engaged in weaving, constituting a significant portion of Van Phuc ward’s population. Annually, the village produces millions of square meters of silk fabric, supplying both domestic and international markets, making a substantial contribution to the craft village’s revenue.
The Beauty and Diversity of Van Phuc Silk
Van Phuc silk is celebrated for its diverse designs and varieties. With approximately 70 types, including the, gam, lua, linh… and poetic names like long phượng (dragon and phoenix), bang hoa (ice flower), tu quy (four seasons), Van Phuc silk captivates hearts with its delicate and unique beauty. Among these, lua van (cloud silk) is considered the “essence” of the craft village, especially the van que hong diep (cinnamon cloud pink leaf) and van luong long song phượng (double dragon phoenix pair cloud silk) lines, deeply imbued with traditional artistic and cultural values.
The quality of Van Phuc silk stems from a meticulous production process and 100% natural silk material. Skilled weavers in Van Phuc are dedicated to every silk thread, every weave, creating soft, lustrous silk fabrics with high durability and a luxurious, elegant beauty.
Exploring Van Phuc Silk Village – An Attractive Cultural Tourism Destination
Modern Beauty Blended with Ancient Charm
Today, Van Phuc Silk Village has adopted a new, more spacious, and bustling appearance. Silk shops stand side-by-side, crowded with tourists visiting and shopping. However, the village still retains the ancient, distinctive features of a traditional Vietnamese craft village. Red-tiled roofs, brick-paved paths, ancient banyan trees, wells, communal house courtyards… all remain, creating a peaceful, rustic space.
The people of Van Phuc are not only skilled silk weavers but also very open and friendly. They are willing to share their craft secrets, introduce the silk production process to visitors. Many households have opened their doors to welcome tourists to visit weaving workshops, experience silk-making steps, thereby generating additional income from tourism.
Van Phuc silk fabric
Highlights Attracting Tourists to Van Phuc Silk Village
- Umbrella Street: This is one of the most famous “check-in” spots in Van Phuc Silk Village. During festivals or weekends, the street is adorned with thousands of colorful umbrellas, creating an incredibly vibrant and impressive scene. The umbrellas are not only aesthetically pleasing but also symbolize the multi-colored silk fabrics of the craft village.
- Mural paintings: To beautify the craft village space, many mural paintings have been created in the central village area. These paintings depict traditional silk production activities, daily life scenes of Van Phuc people, or images imbued with Vietnamese culture. This is an interesting highlight, attracting many young people to take souvenir photos.
- Traditional silk weaving workshops: When visiting Van Phuc, tourists cannot miss the opportunity to explore traditional silk weaving workshops. Here, you will witness firsthand the meticulous handmade silk weaving process, from the steps of spinning yarn, warping, weaving… to completing a finished silk fabric. You can also chat with skilled weavers, listen to their stories associated with the silk craft, and learn more about the cultural and historical values of the craft village.
- Van Phuc Silk Market: This is where silk shops and silk product stores of the village are concentrated. Van Phuc Silk Market is a silk shopping “paradise,” with countless designs, styles, and colors. Here, you can find everything from simple plain silks to elaborate, sophisticated patterned silks, suitable for various purposes and preferences.
Experiences when visiting Ha Dong silk village
Van Phuc Silk Village Festival – The Quintessence of Traditional Culture
If you have the opportunity to visit Van Phuc around the 8th to 17th of November in the lunar calendar each year, you will immerse yourself in the vibrant and bustling atmosphere of the craft village festival. The Van Phuc Silk Village Festival is an occasion to honor the traditional silk weaving craft, promote Van Phuc silk products, and attract tourists to visit and experience.
The festival includes 3 main parts: the ceremony, the festival activities, and the promotion. The ceremony is solemnly organized with traditional rituals such as palanquin processions and offerings to the village’s tutelary god. The festival activities feature many unique cultural and artistic performances such as cheo singing, lion dances, and folk games. The promotion part focuses on introducing Van Phuc silk products, organizing display booths, selling silk products, and creating opportunities for exchange and connection between producers and consumers.
Especially at night, the Van Phuc Silk Village Festival becomes more shimmering and magical than ever. Golden lights blend with the festival colors, creating a brilliant space, reminding visitors of a “miniature Hoi An” in the heart of Hanoi.
Festival in Van Phuc silk village
Outside of the festival season, visitors can still come to Van Phuc to experience the silk weaving process, visit ancient weaving workshops, and learn about the craft village’s culture. Van Phuc people are always willing to share and guide visitors about the traditional craft of their homeland.
Comprehensive Travel Tips for Van Phuc Silk Village
Pre-Trip Preparation
- Define shopping goals: Van Phuc silk is very diverse in types and designs, so you should pre-determine the items you want to buy to avoid being “dazzled” and overspending.
- Plan your itinerary: Van Phuc Silk Village has many interesting attractions, you should research in advance and plan to not miss out on exciting experiences.
- Prepare snacks: Although there are many eateries in Van Phuc, they mainly serve snacks and prices may be slightly high. You should prepare some snacks and drinks to bring with you.
- Check prices: Prices of silk products in Van Phuc may vary depending on the material, design, and shop. You should check prices at a few shops before deciding to buy to get the best price.
Notes When Shopping for Van Phuc Silk
Currently, there is a situation of low-quality silk, counterfeiting Van Phuc silk in the market. To buy genuine Van Phuc silk, you should note the following points:
- Choose reputable stores: Buy silk at branded stores, well-known or recommended by locals.
- Check silk quality: Real Van Phuc silk is soft, naturally lustrous, and smells like burnt hair when burned. Fake silk is usually stiffer, lacks natural shine, and smells like burning plastic when burned.
- Consult experienced people: If you do not have experience buying silk, you should go with someone experienced or ask the salesperson for more detailed advice.
Traveling to Van Phuc silk village during the festival
Suggested Itinerary for Van Phuc Silk Village
You can spend a day exploring Van Phuc Silk Village with the following suggested itinerary:
- Morning: Arrive in Van Phuc, visit the silk market, and shop for your favorite silk products.
- Noon: Enjoy local cuisine at eateries in the village.
- Afternoon: Visit traditional silk weaving workshops, Umbrella Street, and mural paintings. If you go during the festival season, you can participate in festival activities.
- Evening: Stroll around the village, admire the silk village at night (especially during the festival).
Conclusion
Van Phuc Silk Village is not only a traditional craft village but also a cultural “treasure” of Hanoi. Coming to Van Phuc, visitors not only admire the beauty of soft silk fabrics but also experience the peaceful, ancient Vietnamese countryside cultural space and discover unique historical and artistic values. Come to Van Phuc Silk Village to feel and appreciate the traditional values of the nation!
Frequently Asked Questions About Van Phuc Silk Village Tourism
1. When is the best time to visit Van Phuc Silk Village?
You can visit Van Phuc Silk Village at any time of year. However, the ideal time is during the craft village festival (from November 8th to November 17th of the lunar calendar) to immerse yourself in the vibrant festival atmosphere and admire the brilliant beauty of Umbrella Street.
2. How to get to Van Phuc Silk Village?
You can get to Van Phuc Silk Village by motorbike, private car, or bus. If going by motorbike or car, you can follow the directions: City center – Nguyen Trai – Le Van Luong – To Huu. If going by bus, you can take bus routes number 01, 02, 21A, 27, 33, 37, 39, 68, 103 and get off at the stop near Van Phuc Silk Village.
3. What activities are there to do in Van Phuc Silk Village?
In Van Phuc Silk Village, you can visit the silk market, shop for silk products, visit traditional silk weaving workshops, Umbrella Street, mural paintings, participate in the craft village festival (if visiting during the festival season), enjoy local cuisine, and learn about the craft village’s culture.
4. What is another name for Van Phuc Silk Village?
Another name for Van Phuc Silk Village is Ha Dong Silk Village.
5. How to get to Van Phuc Silk Village?
From Hanoi city center, follow Nguyen Trai street, then turn into Le Van Luong street, continue straight to To Huu street to reach Van Phuc Silk Village. You can also use Google Maps for detailed and most accurate directions.