Van Phuc Silk Village is situatedon the banks of Nhue Thi River, Nguyen Trai Road, near Ha Dong city, 8km southwest of Ha Noi. It takes you only 30 minutes by motorbike to gothere from the centre of Hanoi. The village has been much well knownfor its traditional sericulture, weaving, and silk products. Touristscoming here are lured by various beautiful shirts, crafts, ties,dresses and many other things made of silk available in the village.What is special is that the silk is made by very simple looms, which isthe genuinely traditional Vietnamese way of making silk.

Forcenturies, silk has always been considered an extreme luxury, on parwith rhinoceros horn, ivory and precious handworks in Vietnam. It haslong been a universal byword of luxury, often worn by therichest, most powerful citizens. Most visitors somehow have heard aboutthe significant role of this kind of material in Vietnam, yet mightwonder where the cradle of Viet silk is. The mentioned Van Phuc SilkVillage is proud to be the origin of best silk and silk-making industry of Vietnam,which is attached to a long-lasting history of more than two thousandyears. Though passing by lots of ups and downs, during the recentyears, the village’s craft has enjoyed revival due to a surging demandfor silk in both the domestic and foreign markets.

Today, the fine and lustrous cloth that originates from the cocoon of the silkworm is more affordable for "ordinary" folk.Furthermore, silk is currently enjoying a fashion renaissance,particularly since its many varieties can be made into a wide range ofdesigns suitable for all facets of modern life. Should you intend tohave a silk pair of formal clothes made, just come here and select yoursuitable materials, and professional tailors here will bring yousatisfaction!

Ideal place for silk products & souvenirs

Like other visitors to the village, you will be surprised at this “silk shop town”,where almost all houses along the paths have been turned into shopsselling silk products. Specifically, the village is now home to 1,280households, 90% of whom are involved in silk production and business.The village makes more than 2 million meters of silk per year. Yet,more than that, you are offered a good chance to explore the Vietnamesetraditional industry of silk-making.

No tourists here are uncontented with the glisten of various silk products.They are always confronted with an initially bewildering array of silkproducts, from raw materials, to garments, and a myriad of silkaccessories. The local silk is known for its smooth and lightweightappearance, and qualities that enable it to be dyed more colors to suita variety of skin tones. In

Ifyou are going to buy something from Vietnam as gifts for those at home,silk and clothes made of silk are available around in the village foryour choice. Though the days when Vietnam's silk was reserved fornobility are long gone, what would never change is the sense of romanceand luxury imparted by silk, a luminous cloth type. With 2000 years ofhistory behind them, the silk weavers of Van Phuc Silk village arestill busy, weaving dreams.

How to get there? Witha view to reaching Van Phuc village, tourists should travel south westout of Ha Noi on Nguyen Trai Street until they reach the border of HaDong District. Then turn right and dive for about 3km. The village ison the left, some 8 km from central Hanoi. Motorbike, bus, or taxis areall of good use.