1 day excursion. Textile Museum and Xối Trì village Nam Định – FULL

THIS TOUR IS FULL. WE HAVE STARTED A WAITING LIST. AND WE MAY HAVE A CHANCE TO RUN THIS TOUR AGAIN BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR

A two-part excursion to Nam Định Province , about 90km south of Hanoi. It has a rich culture, history and architecture. In today’s excursion we visit the Nhà Bảo Tàng Dệt May (Vietnam Textile Museum) and 1 of only 3 families who make the iconic ‘Bia Hoi’ glasses. Plus we will see other areas as we travel along.  Keep in mind Nam Định has a huge amount to offer so will return on future excursions.

The Nam Định Textile Factory was a symbol of Nam Định city and once the largest factory in Indochina, and one of the cradles of Vietnam’s textile and garment industry. The Vietnam Textile Museum has been created inside the former French villa owned by the textile factory owner from the 1900s. The house has been restored and it now displays priceless items, equipment and memories of officials and employees who worked in the Vietnam Textile and Garment industry – calling to mind the golden era of the Nam Định Textile Factory (located nearby but has long been pulled down).

Xối Trì Village was once well-known for its glass-blowing industry and household products made from glass, including the legendary ‘Bia Hoi’ glasses. Every day, workers would work for about 12 hours near glass-melting kilns bearing temperatures of around 2,000 degrees celcius.  1985-1995 was the golden era of the glass trade at Xối Trì.  At the time about 85% of villagers worked in this industry. However, now only three families remain who keep this trade alive. We visit Mr Linh and his workshop and directly watch the intriguing and beautifully artistic process of ‘Bia Hoi’ glass making.

Detailed programme:
7.45am AM: DEPART the Pan Pacific Hotel (Add: 1 Thanh Nien) – Yen Phu side then depart to Nam Định (please gather from 7.30am at the hotel for payment etc)

10:00 AM: Visit the Vietnam Textile Museum

11:00 AM: Walk to the nearby Nam Định Flag Tower (a version of Hanoi’s one)

11:30 AM: Return to the Museum gardens for lunch at the coffee shop in the grounds and bit of free time to wander around

12:30 PM: Depart Museum for Xối Trì. On the way we make a short stop to see the site of Trung Lao Church – this was a famous huge wooden church that burnt down – villagers are now rebuilding it.

1:30PM: Arrive Xối Trì and we come to the home and workshop of Mr Linh and family. Listen to the history of Bia Hoi glass making and visit the workshop where the glasses are still made in the same traditional way

3:30PM: Depart the village back to Hanoi (ETA back at Pan Pacific at 6:00 PM – note very heavy traffic as we approach Hanoi)

NOTE:

1. Lunch at the coffee shop in the museum is an extra cost or you can bring your own packed lunch. This coffee shop serves rice (from 50,000 – 75,000 VND/ set) and other kinds of food at reasonable prices, plus very nice drinks. You will be sent the menu after you register.
2. IMPORTANT: Due to limited space at the glass workshop, we have to keep numbers to very max 23 pax. Also this excursion is for 15yrs and over (no children under 15s). The workshop still operates traditional glass-making methods. There will be fragments of glass on the ground, the environment can be hot and we could be near open flames. Also there is a lot of ash and dust in one area, and space is narrow and limited. This is a very real,  authentic, traditional experience and you will see how manual and labour intensive the process is. Thanks you for your understanding
3. Registration deadline: 12 October. As our excursions are often oversubscribed we expect a waiting list for this trip, so if you sign up and are then unable to attend please let us know asap. We need time to fill your place and ensure FVH covers our costs (the location is further away so our mini bus costs are a higher than usual). Thanks for your understanding.
4. It is advisable to wear closed shoes with good soles when we visit the workshop (re reference to glass fragments, dust/ash)
5. You can buy your bia hoi glasses from the workshop

Registration deadline 12 Oct via this link: https://forms.gle/dLt7s6WfdHaeXBHG8

Vietnamese with English translation

Max 23 people, 380,000 VND pp

Welcome to our 20th anniversary year

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