Lacquerware & Pagodas
Lacquerware (Sơn Mài) is Vietnam's most famous craft — a technique over 2,000 years old. Dozens of layers of natural lacquer are applied to wood, bamboo, or papier-mâché, each layer individually sanded. The motifs range from abstract patterns to landscapes to dragons and phoenixes. The finest pieces shine in deep black, red, and gold.
In Hanoi, the village of Hạ Thái (15 km south) has specialized in lacquerware since the 11th century. In Hội An and HCMC, there are numerous shops and workshops. Prices: from 200,000 VND (7.40 €) for small bowls to 10,000,000+ VND (370+ €) for artworks.
Pagodas
Vietnam's pagodas (Chùa) are not mere temples — they are vibrant places of spirituality, where Buddhism, Taoism, and ancestor worship merge. The most beautiful ones:
- Chùa Một Cột (One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi): Lotus blossom on a single stone pillar. Landmark.
- Thiên Mụ (Huế): Seven-story tower above the Perfume River.
- Bái Đính (Ninh Bình): Vietnam's largest temple complex — 500 Arhat statues.
- Linh Ứng (Đà Nẵng): 67 m high white Guanyin statue (Lady Buddha) on the Sơn Trà Peninsula.
