Travel to the photogenic Red River Delta village of
Tho Ha via a 45min drive from Hanoi and a short ferry across the Cau River.
The
Red River Delta is an agriculturally rich area producing 20% of Vietnam's rice crop. Despite the increasing industrialization of the area, the village of Tho Ha has remained mostly unaffected by modern development. Walk through the village's narrow terracotta-tiled alleyways, a reminder of its history as one of Vietnam's three oldest ceramic centres.
Notice the many bamboo racks filled with drying rice paper, speaking to the current occupation of many of its inhabitants after the pottery industry faded. A visit here presents an authentic portrait of a typical Vietnamese village with some of the homes dating back more than a century. Visit the 17th century
Tho Ha Pagoda with its triple gate, belfry, and forecourt carved with dragons, clouds, and flowers.
Enjoy a conversation with one of the local residents to gain insights into life in the village before returning to Hanoi.
