Bat Trang Pottery Museum – where clay comes alive
If there’s one thing we love at Fairway Footprints, it’s a day packed with culture, history, and a little bit of adrenaline. Our latest adventure in Hanoi delivered all of that and more. We booked a full-day private tour through Klook, and honestly, the hardest part was choosing from the many incredible tour options available. But the one we landed on? Amazing!
We kicked off the morning at the Bat Trang Pottery Museum, tucked inside the centuries-old Bat Trang village, Vietnam’s legendary home of ceramics. Pottery here dates back over 700 years, with artisans crafting everything from everyday bowls to intricate pieces once traded along ancient river routes. The museum itself is a modern architectural gem, shaped like twisting ceramic vessels stacked into a sculptural maze.
After exploring the art exhibition, we rolled up our sleeves for the pottery-making experience class. Let’s just say… some of us were naturals, and some of us made “abstract art.” Either way, it was ridiculously fun. Cost: 160,000 VND per person for both the exhibition and the class.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – a walk through 1,300 years of history
Next up: the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former political center of Vietnam for over a millennium. This place is huge, we spent hours wandering through ancient gates, archaeological digs, military bunkers, and royal halls.
A few fun facts to impress your travel buddies:
- The citadel was built in the 11th century during the Ly Dynasty.
- It sits atop layers of earlier civilizations, including relics from the 7th century.
- The site served as the headquarters for the Vietnamese army during the war.
We even grabbed lunch at the café inside the grounds, which was surprisingly peaceful considering the centuries of drama this place has witnessed. Entry fee: 100,000 VND per adult. Kids under 16: Free (we love a family-friendly win).
Train Street – calm… until it isn’t
Our final stop was the iconic Hanoi Train Street, and wow! Nothing prepares you for how close that train gets. We found a cozy spot right beside the tracks, ordered some cold drinks, and soaked in the atmosphere. One minute it was chill and quiet… then the bell rang.
Suddenly, café owners were ushering everyone into position like seasoned stage managers. And then—WHOOSH—the train thundered past, close enough to flatten the beer lid we’d cheekily placed on the tracks. (Yes, we retrieved it afterward. Yes, it was as flat as a pancake.)
It’s chaotic, thrilling, and absolutely unforgettable.
A Day to Remember
From shaping clay with our own hands to walking through ancient dynasties and ending with a heart-pounding train encounter, this day was everything we love about exploring Vietnam. We learned so much, laughed even more, and left with memories that will stick with us for years.
If you’re heading to Hanoi, a private tour like this is the perfect way to pack in culture, history, and a dash of adventure, all at your own pace.
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