Located to Hanoi’s southeast, past the Chuong Duong Bridge and 10km along the Red River dyke, the traditional Bat Trang craft village is an ideal shopping destination for visitors on Tet holidays. 

Festive season stockpiling can overwhelm Bat Trang village’s first time guests. The Lunar New Year adds holiday decorations to the traditional household ceramic products Bat Trang is famous for.

Bat Trang artisans have augmented the traditional blue and white enamels with new shades and finishes matching modern styles.

Prices have not climbed in line with the village’s arriving tourists. A set of cups averages VND100,000–VND500,000. A vase can be bought for VND120,000–VND180,000, with specialty items selling for more.

Some factories in Bat Trang village are busy fulfilling hundreds of orders from shops across the country.

Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung, owner of the Tien Nhung factory, said Tet holiday demand translates to hard work and careful planning. All goods must be completed on time and to rigorous standards of quality.

The bustling to and fro of loaded trucks leaving Bat Trang and excited tourists entering its gates has become another evocative image of the build-up to Tet.