Legends & Layers: The Incense & Conical Hat Journey
Travel from the ancient legends of Thang Long to the vibrant countryside. Craft your own palm leaf hat and stand amidst the mesmerizing red incense fields of Quang Phu Cau.
About this activity
- Duration: 6 hours
- Location: Hanoi Countryside
- Highlights: World-famous Incense Drying Field & Ancient Hat Village
- Hands-on: Make your own Incense & Design a Conical Hat
- Culture: Learn the legend of the Dragon (Thang Long & Ha Long)
- Includes: Limousin Car, Artisan Workshop Fees, Local Guide
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Why is Hanoi called the city of the “Rising Dragon”? It starts with a King, a river, and a vision of the future. On this tour, we leave the busy Old Quarter—once a guild of 36 distinct trades—to trace the roots of Vietnamese craftsmanship back to the source. We journey into the countryside, where geography shaped destiny, creating villages dedicated entirely to a single craft.
First, we uncover the secrets of the “Non La” (Conical Hat). It’s not just a hat; it’s a shelter from the rain and a symbol of grace. You’ll witness a painstaking process that machines cannot replicate: from ironing palm leaves with a heated fabric ball to stitching 16 perfect bamboo rings by hand. It takes a master artisan 13 hours to make just one hat. Today, you will sit with them, thread the needle, and stitch your own story.
Finally, prepare your camera for a visual spectacle at the Incense Village. Walk through fields of bamboo sticks dyed in brilliant reds and pinks, fanned out like giant flowers under the sun. But beyond the beauty lies a spiritual bridge. You’ll learn how these humble sticks connect the living to the ancestors, see the bamboo splitting machines in action, and try your hand at rolling the aromatic paste. It’s a tour that touches both the eye and the soul.
