Traditional craft villages of Ninh Binh - Where cultural heritage comes alive

Ninh Binh isn't just famous for its breathtaking landscapes like Trang An, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, and Thung Nham. This remarkable region is also home to centuries-old craft villages that pulse with history and tradition.

Even as modern life creeps into rural areas, these artisan communities have managed to preserve their unique cultural identity, making them irresistible destinations for travelers from around the globe. Join Ama Journey as we explore the most captivating craft villages Ninh Binh has to offer!

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1. Van Lam Embroidery Village

Location: Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, within the Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourist area

Among Ninh Binh's traditional craft villages, Van Lam Embroidery Village stands out as a true masterpiece of Vietnamese needlework. Conveniently located next to the Trang An World Heritage Site, it's easily accessible for curious travelers.

The village's story is as intricate as its embroidery. According to local elders, the craft dates back to 1285, when King Tran Thai Tong abdicated at age 40 to become the Supreme King and retired to Vu Lam mountain for spiritual practice.

Lady Tran Thi Dung, wife of Grand Tutor Tran Thu Do, followed the royal court and taught the people of Van Lam village the arts of silkworm raising, fabric weaving, and embroidery. That means this beautiful tradition has flourished for over 800 years!

What's truly remarkable? Walk through Ninh Hai today and you'll find embroidery frames in nearly every household. From children as young as 7-8 to elders in their 70s and 80s, everyone knows how to handle an embroidery needle with skill and grace.

Traditional products:
•    Historical: ceremonial costumes and hats, parasols, canopies, and decorative screens for temples and communal houses
•    Contemporary: bed linens, curtains, pillows, tablecloths, embroidered paintings, photos, and a diverse range of modern designs
Recognition: In November 2007, the Vietnam Village Association officially recognized Van Lam as one of the 12 most outstanding craft villages in the entire country.

2. Ninh Van Stone Carving Village

Location: Xuan Vu Village, Ninh Van Commune, Hoa Lu District

For any travel enthusiast exploring Ninh Binh's craft villages, missing the Ninh Van Stone Carving Village would be a genuine shame.

The art of stone carving has been intimately connected to the lives of locals here for over 400 years, with nearly every household having at least one family member skilled in chiseling, carving, and polishing stone.

What sets Ninh Van apart from other famous stone villages? The artisans here specialize in creating magnificent architectural stonework for temples, pagodas, mausoleums, monuments, and reliefs.

The villagers of Ninh Van possess both creative vision and masterful hands, transforming lifeless stone blocks into soulful works of art that truly move the heart.

Products: Statues, animal figures, decorative ponds, steles, pillars, flower pots, tables and chairs, platforms, incense altars, thrones, bridges, gates, door thresholds, and house beams. Every piece features delicate carvings with elegant, lifelike lines that seem to breathe with life.

3. Kim Son Sedge Craft Village

Location: Kim Son District, near Phat Diem Stone Cathedral

On your journey through Ninh Binh's craft villages, the Kim Son Sedge Craft Village has long been celebrated for growing sedge and creating exquisite handicrafts from this humble plant.

According to village elders, in 1829, Administrative Envoy Nguyen Cong Tru, following orders from King Minh Mang, organized the cultivation of coastal wasteland and named it Kim Son, meaning "Golden Mountain." He transformed this area into a fertile coastal region - a true "golden mountain"—abundant with rice, marine resources, and especially sedge plants.

Sedge isn't just an income source for locals; it's become a symbol of pride that reinforces the identity of Ninh Binh's traditional craft villages. Here's a travel tip: after exploring the stunning

Phat Diem Cathedral, why not stop by and pick up some unique souvenirs to bring home to your family?

Products: Sedge mats, carpets, baskets, trays, boxes, plates, cups, hats, handbags, and more. Today, Kim Son's artistic sedge products have reached over 20 countries and territories worldwide.

4. Bo Bat Pottery Village

Location: Bach Lien Hamlet (formerly Bo Bat Village), Yen Thanh Commune, Yen Mo District

Among Ninh Binh's exceptional traditional craft villages, Bo Bat Pottery Village is often called the "cradle" of the famous Bat Trang Pottery Village, with origins stretching back thousands of years.

The village reached its peak fame in the 10th century, producing unique and refined white ceramic products crafted by Bo Bat's masterful artisans.

Historical records tell us that when King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Dai La, he brought five major family lines from Bo Bat to help build the new capital and produce ceramics for both the royal court and common people.

These craftsmen eventually settled along the Red River banks, establishing what we know today as Bat Trang Pottery Village.
After that exodus, Bo Bat's pottery tradition faded into obscurity, gradually disappearing and nearly becoming lost to time. Just when it seemed forgotten forever, over a decade ago, Bo

Products: Bowls, plates, vases, tea sets, wind chimes, necklaces, ceramic paintings, and artistic ceramic statues decorated with ethnic patterns and painted with distinctive colored glazes.

5. Gia Thuy Pottery Village

Location: Gia Thuy Commune, Nho Quan District

Gia Thuy Commune in Nho Quan District is renowned for its traditional pottery craft, which has been practiced for over 50 years.

What makes Gia Thuy pottery distinctive? It's crafted from brownish-yellow clay - a unique material found only in this locality. This clay has exceptional binding properties, fine texture, and excellent heat resistance, giving Gia Thuy pottery its special character and quality.

Products: Wine bottles, jars, and large containers stylized with floral patterns and Vietnamese countryside landscapes, creating a signature aesthetic that's unmistakably Gia Thuy.

6. Phuc Loc Carpentry Village

Location: Ninh Phong Ward, Ninh Binh City

Phuc Loc Village in Ninh Binh has been famous for its carpentry craft since ancient times. This centuries-old village has developed through generations, with skills passed from father to son.

All five hamlets in the village have practiced woodworking for generations, and today approximately 400 people still pursue this traditional craft.

For centuries, Phuc Loc craftsmen have created wooden products featuring exquisite carvings, primarily serving the construction and decoration of temples, pagodas, shrines, and communal houses.

Phuc Loc Carpentry Village is recognized as a guardian of traditional woodworking excellence, chosen by customers throughout and beyond the province.

Products: Beds, wardrobes, tables and chairs, doors, and various wooden household items and handicrafts. Every piece is crafted by experienced artisans with exceptional quality and refined details.

7. Van Long Bamboo Mat Weaving Village

Location: Gia Tan Ward, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh

Bamboo mat weaving isn't just a long-standing tradition here- it was a lifeline that helped Van Long families survive during the resistance war against the French.

While taking refuge in distant places, they carried their craft with them, finding bamboo wherever they went to continue their work.

During the cooperative period, the weaving and plaiting craft here truly flourished, with dozens of tons of bamboo being split and thousands of square meters of mats in various sizes being produced for export.

Today, the village operates on a "contract" basis, with many families actively participating. Bamboo is purchased from mountain regions across Thanh Hoa, Hoa Binh, and even distant Ha Tinh.

Every day, hundreds of thousands of products are loaded onto farm vehicles, carts, and trucks to be delivered to customers near and far, reaching provinces throughout the country. While income isn't extraordinarily high, there's steady cash flow, and no household remains in poverty. Everyone has year-round employment that adequately supports their families.

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The traditional craft villages of Ninh Binh stand as living proof of how cultural values can be preserved and celebrated across generations.

Despite the rapid pace of modern development, these artisan communities have maintained their unique character while attracting countless travelers eager to explore and learn. These aren't just scenic destinations - they're opportunities to connect deeply with the beautiful traditions and historical significance of Ninh Binh.

Are you ready to experience these extraordinary craft villages firsthand? Let Ama Journey guide you through Ninh Binh's most authentic cultural treasures, where every carved stone, embroidered thread, and woven mat tells a story centuries in the making.