KIM LAN - VAN DUC TOUR

Day 1 · 09:00–16:30

Pick up guests at the meeting point and begin the journey toward the alluvial flats along the Red River – a rural space that still preserves a simple rhythm of life, with roads, houses, and stories passed down through many generations. The first stop is Kim Lan – a land with a long history of ancient pottery, more than 1,300 years, which once contributed to an important pottery production and trading space. Rather than just coming to “see pottery,” you are led into the story of the land, the craft, and the people. At the ancient village space and local museum, you learn about archaeological traces, pottery artifacts, and the story of a craft village that has existed for many centuries. From a small piece of pottery, the story opens up about the lives of the people of the past: how they took earth, shaped it, used those products in life, and how the pottery craft became part of the history of the land. From a handful of raw earth, the artisan performs each step in turn – kneading the clay, shaping, adjusting the form, decorating, glazing, and firing – to turn a natural material into a product with form and practical function. The interest lies not only in observing the technique but in the way the artisan “reads” the earth: knowing what plasticity is just enough, how much hand pressure is needed so the pottery is not deformed, when it can move to the next stage, and how the fire in the kiln will determine the color and durability of the product. The highlight of the experience is making a small pottery product yourself. This is not just a fun activity but a way for visitors to truly “touch” the traditional craft and bring home a memory they have created themselves. From pottery earth to vegetable-growing earth Leaving Kim Lan, the journey continues to Van Duc, a countryside area famous for safe vegetable production. You enter the production area, learn about the lives of farmers, how seedlings are selected, and how vegetables are cared for and harvested according to the season; at the same time, you experience an agricultural space very different from urban Hanoi just a short distance away. If conditions permit, visitors can directly take part in a production step or harvest vegetables themselves, thereby understanding that behind a bunch of green vegetables on the dining table is the labor, experience, and attachment of farmers to their homeland. After the exploration journey, you enjoy a country meal with local ingredients, including seasonal vegetables from Van Duc. The meal is a natural continuation of the journey: passing through the vegetable area → understanding the growers → harvesting by hand → tasting. You do not only hear stories about the earth but can see – touch – use – and taste the values created from the earth. Before returning, you have time to stroll, chat with local people, enjoy tea, or explore local products. There is no need for too many sightseeing stops; what matters is giving visitors time to slow down and feel real life – things often overlooked in traditional sightseeing programs. End the journey with a small gift: a pottery product made by the visitors themselves as a way to carry with them a part of the memory of the land along the Red River. Return to the resting place, and the program ends.