VietNamNet Bridge – By putting traditional craft villages into their tour programs, travel firms want to introduce new products, raise awareness of their conservation and help villagers earn some extra income. Following are some places recommended for Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

Tan Quy Dong flower village in Sa Dec

The village is operational all year round but its peak season is between mid-October and the first lunar month when artisans show their talent through various flower and ornamental plants. This year hundreds of species of flowers have been put up for sale. Tourists may find themselves lost in a flower heaven.

Ornamental plant village in Cai Mon-Ben Tre

Ornamental plants in various shapes at Cai Mon Village in Ben Tre Province

Besides hundreds of flower species grown for Tet sale, Cai Mon Village is famous for growing saplings and shaping plants. Local farmers supply ornamental plants in the shapes of animals such as deer, stag, dragon, phoenix and bird for many other provinces in the country and even for foreign countries. Visitors can see the characteristics of southerners through the creative bonsai which are simple, beautiful and unique.

Tra Cuon cylindrical glutinous rice cake

The cylindrical glutinous rice cake is an indispensable dish in southern families at Tet. Especially, the cake is made depending on the recipe of each family. Some 12 kilometers from Tra Vinh City on National Highway 53, Tra Cuon Village located in Cau Ngang District is famous throughout the south for its delicious cylindrical glutinous rice cakes. Coming to this area, tourists will have a chance to get hands-on knowledge of the atmosphere of Tet holiday by witnessing meticulous stages in the cooking process, trying fresh cakes and celebrating Tet with local people.

My Nghiep weaving village

Cham woman weaves cloth at My Nghiep Village in Ninh Thuan Province

My Nghiep Village of Cham people, which is 10 kilometers south of Phan Rang City, is the oldest weaving village in Southeast Asia. Local people there still keep almost all of the traditional steps of weaving without using machines. A small road leads to the center of the village where handmade products with special patterns, colors and material are exhibited.

Tra Que vegetable village in Hoi An

A slow living pace in Tra Que is what visitors can feel upon arrival at the small village northwest of Hoi An City. You may be surprised by the beauty of vegetable farms all over the place. Farmers are willing to show you how to take care of plants.

Tourists can also do some sightseeing by cycling on the small roads and smelling the fragrance of various kinds of herbal leaves such as coriander, basil and houttuynia. Basil which is widely planted there is the main ingredient to make the well-known basil tea.

Pearl village in Halong

Going through 40 years of establishment and development, the pearl village in Halong is now presenting itself to tourists as a peaceful destination. Although the village is not as boisterous as the one on Phu Quoc Island, visitors can discover nature, gain more knowledge about pearl farming and contemplate the stunning pearls.

Many tour operators offer trips to the pearl farming village in Van Don-Ha Long in Quang Ninh Province.

SGT