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1 day excursion – Hạ Thái village (lacquer & lanterns) FULL
September 8, 2019 @ 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
PLEASE NOTE THIS TOUR IS NOW FULL
We are now running a waiting list and will be in touch if any spaces become available. Thanks.
When exploring imperial architecture, ancient houses, Buddhism and temples in Vietnam, horizontal boards, parallel sentences and statues are clearly identifiable and beautifully decorated in red and yellow. The art of decorating these works developed alongside Vietnam’s history and many famous craft villages still exist today. According to some documents, this profession has an 800 year-old history.
Although Hạ Thái village did not invent lacquer painting it is the centre of this art in Vietnam, initiated by Vietnamese painters at the Indochina College of Fine Arts in the 1930s. They introduced lacquer painting to Hạ Thái village -from then on many artisans were born. Each painting has its own unique beauty. Enjoying lacquer painting requires thorough knowledge of painting techniques in order to understand the talent and dedication of artisans as well as the sophistication and creativity which lies beneath the layers of colour.
Listen to the stories of craftsmanship and the lives of the artists as we admire the unique lacquer artworks. Join us as we meet artisan Vũ Huy Mến – the “treasure” of Hạ Thái village.
In the afternoon , we visit an artisan family making traditional lanterns – ‘ đèn cù’, ‘ đèn thỏ’ for the coming mid-autumn festival – ‘Tết Trung thu’. These traditional lanterns are loved both by children and adults for their amazing look when lit with candles.
With a passion for maintaining this traditional craft, this family are the only ones left in the village and in the whole of north Vietnam making these lanterns. They only do this 1-2 months before the mid-autumn festival so this workshop is only available once a year. This is a unique treat for FVH members a week before mid-autumn festival to create your own lanterns and to understand more about the Vietnamese custom of celebrating the mid-autumn festival. It is also unusual for this family to run workshops from their house!
Detailed programme:
8:00 AM: meet at the Pan Pacific Hotel (Add: 1 Thanh Nien) on its Yen Phu
9:00 AM: visit artisan Vũ Huy Mến’s showroom and workshop – discover the art of lacquer painting
12:00 AM: lunch at a nearby coffee shop
1:00 PM: workshop with the artisan family – make/decorate 2 traditional mid-autumn lanterns
3:30 PM: depart for Hanoi (ETA back at Pan Pacific before 5:00 PM)
Notes:
- Lunch is an extra cost or you can bring your own. The coffee shop nearby serves drinks, instant noodles, and Vietnamese bread. Please choose you lunch option in the registration form.
- Max 23 pax – 29 seater coach
Registration deadline: 4 September. If you register but then need to cancel please inform us by 4 September (contact Anh) to give us time to fill your space from the waiting list otherwise FVH incurs costs – we need to ensure we cover the excursion expenses. Thank you for your understanding.
RSVP to Phuong Anh via this link:
Location: Hạ Thái Village, Duyên Thái Commune, Thường Tín District, Hà Nội
380,000 vnd per adult
180,000 vnd per child under 15 (max 4 spaces)
Welcome to FVH’s 20th anniversary year
