Van Phuc Silk Village

The Basics

You can visit Van Phuc Silk Village independently or join a half- or full-day excursion from Hanoi. The express option, which includes convenient round-trip transport from your Hanoi hotel, will appeal to time-pressed visitors, while full-day trips are a great choice for travelers seeking more information about Vietnam’s past and present. Day trips tend to combine Van Phuc Silk Village with a stop at Phu Tay Ho, one of the city’s most revered Buddhist temples.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Van Phuc Silk Village is the ideal place to pick up souvenirs for friends and family.

• Educational silk-making demonstrations and colorful shops make the village a great place to take the kids.

• Van Phuc silk is known for its smooth appearance and light weight, making it cool in the summer yet warm in winter.

• Some shop owners in Van Phuc Silk Village speak a little English and French, so be prepared to bargain for the best price.

• Visitors usually find that a few hours is enough time to enjoy the village.

How to Get There

Travelers can visit Van Phuc on their own by renting a car or motorbike or by catching bus 2 or 21, then walking for 10 minutes to reach the village. In order to save time and skip the stress of vehicle rental, most visitors opt to join a tour that includes round-trip transport.

When to Get There

Van Phuc Silk Village is open daily between 8am and 10pm. Early morning or late evening is best if you want to avoid the crowds.

The Craft Villages of Hanoi

Compared to the rest of the country, Northern Vietnam has a high concentration of craft villages, where visitors can observe manufacturing processes and buy goods at a fraction of the price they would fetch in the city. Easily accessible from Hanoi are Day Bat Trang pottery village, where you can take part in a ceramics class, and Day Dong Ho, famous for its folk paintings.

What is Van Phuc Silk Village known for?

One of the oldest silk-producing districts in Vietnam, Van Phuc has been known for its high-quality silk production and trade for more than 1,000 years. The road leading into this Hanoi district is covered with hundreds of colorful umbrellas, creating a striking and famously photographed “roof” over the street.

What is special about Van Phuc silk?

Van Phuc silk stands out for its unique blend of durability, light weight, and softness and is among the most prized textiles in Vietnam. The Van Phuc Silk Village is famous for its production of traditional Aodai, Habotai, Dupioni, chiffon, and taffeta silks, used in both fashion and home decor.

How much does Van Phuc silk cost?

You can purchase premade clothing, scarves, and home decorations or uncut fabric by length in Van Phuc Silk Village. Prices are always negotiable, but uncut fabric prices range from US$10 to US$100 per yard (about a meter), depending on the quality of the silk thread and the weave.

What language do they speak in Van Phuc Silk Village?

Vietnamese is the language most commonly spoken in Van Phuc Silk Village, though some shop owners speak enough English and French to be able to converse with international customers. If you are planning on making major purchases, visit with a bilingual guide to ensure you can easily negotiate prices.

Can you go to Van Phuc Silk Village on your own?

Yes, you can visit this silk-producing district and browse its many shops without a guide. Guided tours generally delve deeply into the area’s history and include educational stops to see how the silk is spun and woven; a private guide also can act as an interpreter for shopping expeditions.

How long does it take to tour Van Phuc Silk Village?

You can see the shops and shrines in Van Phuc Silk Village in about two hours, depending on how long you browse the wares. The ride to the district from central Hanoi takes about 30–45 minutes, so plan to spend a half day including travel by taxi there and back.