Discover the top 5 traditional craft villages of Hoi An: A journey to preserve the ancient soul of the old town

Hoi An is not only famous for its ancient architecture, mossy yellow streets or shimmering lanterns at night. This place is also a land that preserves many traditional values through long-standing craft villages, contributing to creating the soul of Quang culture. From exquisite handmade products to indigenous experiences, Hoi An traditional craft villages are the ideal destination for tourists who want to explore the depth of culture and art on each trip. Below are the 5 most typical traditional craft villages in Hoi An, which both have historical value and create clarity for the heritage land.

1. Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Hoi An Craft Village (Photo source: Collected)

Address: Pham Phan, Thanh Ha ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province
Located about 3 km west of the old town, Thanh Ha pottery village is one of the traditional craft villages in Hoi An that has preserved its traditional craft culture almost intact for over 500 years. Once famous for supplying pottery to Dang Trong and the entire central coastal region, this place is now considered a "living museum" of traditional pottery art, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
When coming to the pottery village, visitors not only have the opportunity to learn about the process of making from raw clay to finished products, but also try to mold the products themselves, chat with artisans or explore the typical ancient architecture of the village. In addition, experiential activities such as painting on pottery, shopping for souvenirs or visiting the Terracotta Park also provide a more comprehensive view of the cultural life and talented hands of the people here.

2. Tra Que Vegetable Village

Tra Que Vegetable Village (Photo source: Collected)

Address: Tra Que Village, Hoi An Tay Ward, Da Nang City (aka Tra Que Village, Cam Ha Commune, Hoi An, old Quang Nam)
Only about 3 km from Hoi An ancient town, Tra Que vegetable village is a traditional craft village in Hoi An imbued with the agricultural culture of Quang land. Standing out with an age of nearly 400 years, this place is famous for its method of growing clean vegetables without using chemical fertilizers, instead utilizing aquatic algae from Co Co river - a secret that helps Tra Que vegetables retain their strong aroma and natural freshness.
The village specializes in growing more than 20 types of herbs and spices such as Vietnamese coriander, Vietnamese mint, perilla, and basil, not only serving the culinary needs of Hoi An but also widely supplying restaurants in Da Nang and neighboring areas.
When visiting Tra Que, visitors not only get to admire the peaceful scenery of the countryside but also have the opportunity to experience the real life of a farmer - from tilling the land, growing vegetables to harvesting and processing food right on the spot. The fresh air, rustic scenery and interesting agricultural experiences have helped Tra Que become an eco-tourism destination loved by many domestic and foreign tourists when exploring Hoi An.
3. Hoi An Silk Village

Hoi An Silk Village (Photo source: Collected)

Address: 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Hoi An Tay Ward, Da Nang City (ie 28 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Tan An, Hoi An, old Quang Nam)
Standing out as one of the traditional craft villages in Hoi An, Hoi An Silk Village is considered a “living museum” preserving the quintessence of Vietnamese silk making. Only about 1-2 km from the center of the ancient town, this destination vividly recreates the silk making journey from raising silkworms, drawing silk to weaving and hand-embroidering. This place used to be an indispensable part of Hoi An’s vibrant trade flow for more than three centuries.
Coming to the silk village, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the unique culture when visiting the ancient houses, learning about the heritage of the old town, admiring the artisans working directly on the traditional weaving loom. In addition, you can also participate in the silk reeling workshop, try on the silk ao dai - the delicate beauty displayed right in the village. This is definitely a traditional destination in Hoi An that should not be missed for those who love to explore the local cultural identity and history.

4. Kim Bong carpentry village

Kim Bong carpentry village (Photo source: Collected)

Address: Cam Kim Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Located peacefully on the Thu Bon River, about 10 minutes by boat from the center of Hoi An ancient town, Kim Bong carpentry village is a traditional craft village in Hoi An famous for its handmade wood carving craft with a history of more than 600 years. Once a place to build boats for the once bustling Hoi An trading port, the carpentry village today still preserves the spirit of hard work and the exquisite craftsmanship of many generations of artisans.
Coming here, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the process of making fine art wooden products - from the stage of choosing wood, carving to the completion of the product. In addition, you can also experience carving patterns yourself, admire unique wooden works or listen to the daily stories of the villagers. Handcrafted souvenirs such as wooden statues, tea boxes, photo frames... sold at small workshops along the road not only have deep cultural values but are also vivid evidence of Hoi An craft village culture.

5. Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village

Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village (Photo source: Collected)

Address: Dien Ban ward, Da Nang city (ie Dien Phuong commune, Dien Ban town, old Quang Nam province)
Only about 8km from the center of Hoi An ancient town, Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village is one of the traditional craft villages in Hoi An that still retains the mark of time. Appearing since the 17th century, this place used to be the place to supply bells, sacrificial objects and many bronze items for the Nguyen Lord's court. The ingenuity of the artisans lies not only in the casting technique but also in the ability to "sound" - the decisive factor in the quality and characteristic resonance of each product.
Nowadays, the craft village not only preserves the quintessence of bronze casting but also expands its services to experiential tourism. Visitors can witness the elaborate manufacturing process of products such as bronze bells, cannons, water clocks, etc., and at the same time feel the cultural depth of the connection between people and traditional crafts.
This is one of the stops worth exploring for those who love Hoi An cultural tourism, want to learn about the history of Central Vietnamese craft villages, and experience the peacefulness and sophistication of Hoi An through each metallic sound.
The journey to discover traditional craft villages in Hoi An not only brings visitors back to the old values, but also opens up a new perspective on the combination of heritage preservation and sustainable tourism development. If you have the opportunity to visit the old town, do not forget to stop at the craft villages to feel the simple life, enjoy the beauty of manual labor and bring back gifts imbued with the identity of Quang Nam.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/lang-nghe-truyen-thong-hoi-an-v17594.aspx