Bat Trang and Duong Lam Day Trips in Hanoi
Part of the Hanoi travel guide — see every topic in All Hanoi Guides.
Two villages near Hanoi make easy and relaxed day trips. Bat Trang is a pottery village across the Red River, where you can shop for ceramics and make your own bowl. Duong Lam is an old farming village further west, known for its houses and walls built from red laterite stone. This guide covers what to see, how to get there and how to plan the day.
Bat Trang pottery village
Bat Trang is a village on the east side of the Red River, about 13 to 15 km from central Hanoi. Families here have made pottery for hundreds of years, and its golden age was from about the 15th to the 18th century. Today the village is full of workshops, kilns and shops. The large pottery market sells bowls, cups, plates, vases and decorations in every colour, from simple daily items to fine art pieces. Prices are lower than in the city, and you can bargain a little. Many shops can pack fragile items safely for travel.
Make your own pottery
Many workshops in Bat Trang let you try the potter's wheel. A staff member shows you how to shape the clay, and you can make a small bowl or cup. You can also paint designs on ready-made pieces. This is a fun activity for families and children. Some workshops can fire your piece in the kiln, but this takes time, so ask if they can deliver it to your hotel or if you need to come back. Wear clothes that can get dirty. Weekday mornings are quieter. On weekends the village is busy with local families and school groups.
Getting to Bat Trang
The easiest way to reach Bat Trang is by Grab or taxi. The ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes from the Old Quarter. Public bus 47A runs from the Long Bien bus area near the Old Quarter to the village and is very cheap, but it is slower. Some tour companies offer half-day trips, sometimes with a boat ride on the Red River. A half day is enough to see the market, visit a workshop and try the wheel. Bring cash for small shops. Many larger shops take cards or QR payment.
Duong Lam village
Duong Lam is an old village in the Son Tay area, about 45 to 50 km west of central Hanoi. It is famous for its houses, gates and lane walls built from laterite, a red-brown stone made from local soil. Many old houses still have wooden frames, tiled roofs and quiet courtyards, and families still live in them. Some homes are open to visitors. Walk or cycle through the narrow lanes, past rice fields, ponds and brick wells. Try local snacks such as che lam, a sticky sweet made from rice and ginger, and soy sauce made in the village. There is a small entry ticket for visitors.
Planning the day
Bat Trang and Duong Lam are in opposite directions from Hanoi, so most people visit only one in a day. Bat Trang is a good half-day trip. Duong Lam is better as a full day, with lunch in a village home. The drive to Duong Lam takes about 1 to 1.5 hours by car. A private car with a driver is the most comfortable choice, and many hotels can book one. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat, water and sun cream. The cooler months from about October to April are the most pleasant. Spring brings green rice fields around Duong Lam.
Bat Trang and Duong Lam Day Trips at a glance
| Getting there | Bat Trang about 13 to 15 km east (Grab or bus 47A); Duong Lam about 45 to 50 km west (car) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daytime; most shops and workshops open from morning to late afternoon |
| Cost | Bat Trang is free to enter; workshops charge a small fee; Duong Lam has a small entry ticket |
| Best time | About October to April; weekday mornings are quieter |
| Time needed | Bat Trang: half day; Duong Lam: full day |