INCENSE CRAFT VILLAGE AND CITY TOUR - FULL DAY

Discover the soul of Hanoi through a curated journey into the city's most iconic traditional craft villages and cultural landmarks.

The half-day tour takes you to the vibrant Quang Phu Cau Incense Village and the serene Chuong Conical Hat Village - two of Vietnam's most photogenic and culturally rich craft communities located just outside Hanoi.

1. Pick-Up in Hanoi 

Full-Day: Pick-up from 7:30 AM (AM tour)

Your journey begins with a convenient pick-up from your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter or a designated meeting point. Board a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle and meet your knowledgeable English-speaking guide, who will introduce the day's itinerary and share insights into Vietnam's craft traditions. The drive to Quang Phu Cau Incense Village takes approximately 45 minutes, offering scenic views of the Hanoi countryside along the way.

2. Quang Phu Cau -  Incense Village   (1.5 hours)

Arrive at Quang Phu Cau, a vibrant village celebrated for its centuries-old incense-making tradition. A kaleidoscope of colour greets you as bundles of red, yellow, and pink incense sticks fan out across the drying yards — one of Vietnam's most iconic and photogenic scenes. Your visit includes:

• Observe the Craft: Watch artisans skillfully blend natural ingredients such as sandalwood and cinnamon to create the incense sticks used across Vietnamese temples and homes.
• Hands-On Experience: Try rolling incense sticks under the guidance of a local craftsman and take home your handmade creation as a souvenir.
• Village Exploration: Stroll through the lanes, capture the vivid scenery, and interact with the warm, welcoming community.

3. Chuong Village - Conical Hat Making   (1 hour)

After a 30-minute drive, arrive at Chuong Village, one of Vietnam's most renowned centres for crafting the iconic NÓN LÁ (Vietnamese conical hat). Highlights include:

• Craftsmanship Demonstration: Learn how artisans weave palm leaves over bamboo frames to produce the lightweight, elegant hats worn across Vietnam for generations.
• Interactive Workshop: Paint and personalise your own conical hat under the guidance of a local artisan - yours to take home as a unique keepsake at no extra charge.
• Village Walk: Wander through the village lanes, visit a local market if time permits, and connect with the local community.

4. Lunch  (Full-Day Tour only)

5. Hanoi City Tour  (Full-Day Tour only)

The afternoon takes you into the heart of Hanoi for a curated city tour, blending street food, history, and iconic landmarks. Your guide will bring the city's layered past and present to life as you move through its most storied addresses.

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace & National Parliament

Continue to the Ba Dinh Square precinct for a photo stop outside three of Vietnam's most historically significant buildings: the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the elegant Presidential Palace, and the National Parliament building.

• Temple of Literature (Van Mieu — Quoc Tu Giam)

Enter Vietnam's first national university, founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, scholars, and the country's greatest intellectuals. Explore the serene courtyards, stone steles bearing the names of doctoral graduates, and beautifully preserved traditional architecture. Your guide will explain the site's profound role in Vietnam's educational and cultural history.

• Hoa Lo Prison (Maison Centrale)

Visit the Hoa Lo Prison — a site that encapsulates two distinct chapters of Vietnamese history. Originally built by French colonial authorities in the late 19th century to house political prisoners, it later became widely known during the Vietnam War as the 'Hanoi Hilton.' Walk through the preserved cells and exhibits, and hear your guide's account of the resilience of those held within its walls.

6. Return

Full-Day: Drop-off from 6:00 PM

Guests may choose to be dropped off at their hotel in the Old Quarter or at Hanoi Train Street for flexible onward travel

Included

✓ Transportation by bus according to the itinerary
✓ Professional English–Vietnamese speaking tour guide
✓ Standard lunch (applied for 1-day tour only)
✓ Entrance tickets to attractions mentioned in the program
✓ 01 complimentary conical hat (Nón Lá) per guest (applied for 1-day tour only)
✓ 01 bottle of mineral water per guest per day

Excluded

✓ VAT
✓ Beverages during meals
✓ Tips for tour guide and driver (recommended: $3 per guest or VND 60,000 per guest)
✓ Personal expenses not mentioned in the program