Fodor's Expert Review Bat Trang Ceramic Village

At this traditional pottery-making village just outside Hanoi you can purchase ceramics made by local artisans or participate in a pottery-making workshop. Everything from pots and plates to masks and jugs are sold at the dozens of shops lining the streets. It's the best place to buy a teapot or traditional Vietnamese coffeemaker. A stroll through the village is a welcome escape from the city, and children can pay a small fee to make their own ceramic souvenirs. Most impressive is watching the locals hand-paint their latest creations.