Bát Tràng

Bát Tràng (pronounced "Bot Chang") is a small village next to the Red River, about an hour from Hanoi. It has been around for about 700 years and is most famous for its ceramics. Everything in the village revolves around ceramics, whether it's pots, tea sets, or decorative pieces, etc.
On the left you see some big vases displayed at a store.

We understand from our host that robbery was rampant in the early days so the villagers built narrow streets so that it's difficult for the robbers to escape.

Some more beautiful pots being displayed outside another store.

We tried our hands on making pottery. I don't think anyone would buy these. It's a lot more difficult than it looks.
You can also do "paint on pottery" yourself.

There is a market in the village with probably close to 100 stores selling different kinds of ceramic stuff. Here you see some beautiful and colorful vases, pots and other decorative ceramic pieces.