Van Phuc Silk Village, located only 10 kilometers from Hanoi, is one of Vietnam’s oldest and most well-known silk-weaving villages. The community is renowned for its quality silk fabric, and a fascinating place for traditional craftsmanship and local culture.
Introduction To Van Phuc Silk Village
Just 10km outside of Hanoi, Van Phuc Silk Village is one of the oldest and most famous traditional craft villages in Vietnam. Van Phuc has a long tradition of silk weaving that dates back over 1,000 years and is a lovely village famous for its silk and silk products, artisans, and weaving techniques that originated from generations of passing down.
When visiting Van Phuc, you can not only admire the silk fabrics but also enjoy the serenity of village life, the traditional houses, and watch artisans working on their handlooms. For those wanting to engage in local Vietnamese culture while shopping for authentic Vietnamese handmade products, Van Phuc is a great day trip destination. Whether you are a lover of culture or just want to see what Vietnamese craft is all about, Van Phuc Silk Village is unlike anywhere else you’ll experience on your travels.
History Of Van Phuc Silk Village
Van Phuc Silk Village, formerly Van Bao, changed its name to avoid taboos during the Nguyen Dynasty and has a long history of silk weaving that goes back more than one thousand years. Van Phuc silk was introduced to the world’s market at the Marseille Fair in France in 1931 and was recognized as the best commodity made in Indochina.
By 1958, Van Phuc silk was exported to Eastern European countries and had found its way to many other places around the Globe. The skills in their silk weaving traditions remain in the village, albeit with present-day influences. Van Phuc silk was known for its quality and sophistication. The silk has clear flowing strands and symmetrical designs, but reflects artistry and legacy.
Top 4 Iconic Attractions in Van Phuc Silk Village
Van Phuc Silk Village is a unique place that combines ancient tradition and modern convenience. Aside from its famous shiny silk, the village has many interesting things to see and many beautiful areas for visitors to take photographs.
The Traditional Gate of Van Phuc Silk Village
Upon arriving at Van Phuc Silk Village, you will see a traditional entrance gate that is entirely made of red bricks. The variety of bricks used to make the entrance reflects the construction style of northern Vietnamese villages and represents the empowerment and continuity by which a silk-making village has survived for several centuries.
Nearby the entry is a large stone stele that has the words “Van Phuc Village” engraved. This location is a great place to take a photo, but it also represents a historical site marker. The gate functions as the first stage of a cultural entry to a textured village where visitors will experience the intertwined nature of a historic and crafting setting.
The Colorful Umbrella Street
Before stepping into the heart of the silk village, visitors enter a 100-meter-long walkway covered by an array of umbrellas in multiple colors hanging above. This modern and artistic touch has become a loved photo spot for young travelers and families alike. The Umbrella Street adds a twist of color and playful element to the surrounding traditional settings and creates a good-natured and animated entrance into the village.
The Distinctive Mural Wall
In addition to traditional aspects, Van Phuc has its artistic surprises for visitors. Located at the village’s mural wall, painted by local kindergarten teachers, is an astounding mural that depicts the legacy of silk-making in Van Phuc through expressive and colorful artwork.
More than just bright colors, the murals depict ordinary scenes, common tools, and even local figures. No longer just an ordinary wall, the mural wall is now a vibrantly painted storybook. This is an excellent place for learning, and a great backdrop for photos to help tell the story of creativity and pride from the residents of the village.
The Van Phuc Sacred Communal House
In the center of the village is the sacred Van Phuc Communal House, home of the village guardian deity, honored to protect the village and help its people. The sacred house represents the history of the village, is the gathering place for the village ceremony, and represents the sacred aspects of the spiritual life of the people of Van Phuc.
Made in the northern Vietnamese house style, the communal house offers a serene reprieve from the lively village streets. Visitors can enjoy the ancient architecture, carved wooden features, and relatively quiet setting.
4 Cultural Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss
Visiting the Van Phuc Silk Village is more than wandering through narrow roads of silk products; it’s a journey into Vietnam’s silk-making history that stretches back centuries. These are just a few memorable cultural experiences that will help you connect to the essence of the village.
Explore Authentic Van Phuc Silk Stalls
Undoubtedly, one of the most authentic experiences in Van Phuc is visiting the authentic silk stalls. Here you can touch the soft and glossy silk and garments, patterned by nature, geometry, and life. The formal silk material is not to be used interchangeably with other silks, as many finer details make Van Phuc silk distinctive and sophisticated.
Van Phuc silk is made from mulberry silkworms and takes high-quality craftsmanship to create. Each piece is carefully crafted as a team, from boiling the cocoons to spinning, dyeing, and weaving; each piece is finished by someone’s hands. The most well-known and wanted fabric here is called “Van Silk” and is treasured for its quality and high standards in beauty and durability. Make sure to hunt around for scarves, dresses, cut-offs, or anything you can easily travel with, as they make great, meaningful souvenirs.
Join The Vibrant Van Phuc Silk Festival
If your visit is in early November, you’re in luck! The Van Phuc Silk Festival (held November 8th – 17th), along with the accompanying events, will transform the entire village into a wonderland of activity. Locals from throughout the nation gather for cultural events, silk exhibitions, night markets, and the best part is that it is the most exciting time to experience the village when it is enthusiastically alive.
Typically, during the day, colorful silk flags blow in the wind, and at night, golden lanterns light up the streets, bathing the village in yellow light. The Van Phuc Silk Festival is a great time to engage in the traditions, art, and liveliness of Van Phuc village.
Experience The Tradition Of Silk Weaving
From the moment you first set foot into the village, you will be surrounded by the silk weaving process that is painstakingly preserved at a Craft Village that has been making silk for over a thousand years. Every part of the silk weaving process, from the unwrapping of the cocoons to the spinning of the thread, to the running of the wooden looms, is done patiently and carefully.
You will have such newfound respect for the many artists who have dedicated their lives to improving their craft. Most of them monitor the machines all day and all night to make sure that every piece of silk fabric is good enough to sell.
Learn About The Historical Progression Of Vietnamese Silk
You can experience silk as part of the history or an integral part of Vietnamese culture when you visit local museums or talk with the artisans in their homes, where the stories come alive. You’ll learn fascinating stories of how Van Phuc silk was originally made for royalty, and you’ll be exposed to stories of how silk has changed throughout the progression of fashion in the modern era.
While the same traditional silk is still produced essentially identically (mostly pure mulberry silk), you will also find artisans have made an evolution of their art, which now includes silk combined with other textiles, which gives them the liberty to make all sorts of products from suits to high-end dresses.
Entrance Fee
Good news for visitors, there is no entrance fee to visit Van Phuc Silk Village! Visitors are free to stroll the village’s lovely streets and alleys, visit local silk shops or workshops, and relax in the delightful scenery. Note that if you are travelling in a personal vehicle, parking fees may apply. Parking before entering the village is highly recommended to avoid vehicle congestion and to maintain the peaceful traditional village lifestyle.
| Type | Fee |
| Entrance | Free |
| Motorbike Parking | 5,000 VND/vehicle |
| Car Parking | 30,000 VND/vehicle |
Opening Hours
As Van Phuc Silk Village is available to visit all year-round, it is flexible as part of your Hanoi itinerary. Most shops, boutiques, and silk stores are open every day from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, allowing ample time to walk around, shop to your heart’s content, and appreciate the calmness of the village.
Although the village appeals year-round, the best time to visit would be during Van Phuc Cultural Week, when the village is alive with lanterns, art installations, musical performances, and exhibitions of traditional craft, and it is often held in November. During this time, you can see silkworm production in full swing and experience a teaser of local culture at its most festive, also enjoy the cool of Hanoi.
If you are looking for a more peaceful experience, consider visiting during a weekday or early morning when it is still quiet, and you can hear the distant sound of weaving looms or talk to artisans without having to maneuver through the crowds of a weekend.
How to Get to Van Phuc Silk Village
Van Phuc Silk Village is located about 13 kilometers away from Hanoi, which you can take public transportation or even your vehicle, so it should be easy and accessible.
By Private Vehicle
You can get to the village by either car or motorbike on Nguyen Trai – Quang Trung – Van Phuc Street; it will take around 40-50 minutes, depending on traffic. After you arrive, there are parking lots for both cars and motorbikes around the entrance.
By Bus
Some buses go near Van Phuc Silk Village, so you should be able to take public transportation from Ha Noi. Once you get off, you can walk a little way, and you should be at the village.
| Bus Route | Fare (one-way) | Estimated Time |
| 19, 21A, 22, 27, 39, 57, 103A | ~7,000 VND | 45 – 60 minutes |
By Ride-hailing Services
Grab or Gojek rides are easily found in Hanoi. You can download their app and book a trip without having to worry about where to go or where to park.
| Type | Estimated Fare |
| Grab Bike | 40,000 – 60,000 VND |
| Grab Car | 80,000 – 120,000 VND |
Things to Know Before Traveling to Van Phuc Silk Village
Before you visit Van Phuc Silk Village, there are a few things you should know to enjoy your trip to the fullest. Here are some tips for travelers:
- Visiting in the mornings and late afternoons is best if you want to avoid the heat and crowds of the midday sun. When possible, weekdays typically mean fewer people than weekends.
- Another tip is to check local festivals before visiting. This will give you the unique experience of an authentic festival, performances, and silk-weaving demonstrations in the heart of the village.
- One of the main activities is shopping. The village has a variety of silk items, and quality silk, dresses like ao dai, plain silk, floral silk, scarves, and accessories. So remember to ask around and compare prices/quality before you buy.
- Be sure to buy from shops you know and trust – stores that display origin on their products to make sure that wherever you buy from is quality.
- When it comes to photography, ask before taking a photo if you’re taking a photo of a local (especially if the photo is of their private home or workplace).
Final Thoughts: Is Van Phuc Silk Village Worth Visiting?
Van Phuc Silk Village is more than a traditional craft village; it is a living memorial of Vietnamese silk-making craft and lifestyle. In Van Phuc Silk Village, every visit is a unique opportunity to create a vibrant imagery of life in a simple village where tradition, history, art, and craftsmanship are summarized together with relevance by Seni World.
