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08:00 – 18:00 DAILY • CHUYEN MY, HANOI
VIEN
TRANG STUDIO – LACQUER VILLAGE

CHUYEN MY MOTHER-OF-PEARL INLAY AND LACQUER VILLAGE • HANOI

Make your own Vietnamese lacquer art with a master artisan

A 2.5-hour hands-on workshop in Chuyen My, Hanoi's 1,000-year-old mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquer village. Inlay real shell and eggshell, wet-polish it the traditional way, and take your piece home the same day.

2.5-Hour Studio Workshop · From 300,000 VND per person · MAX 8 GUESTS PER SESSION · 45–50 min from central Hanoi · Open daily 08:00–18:00

View 2.5-Hour WorkshopExplore Take-Home DIY Kits
Preparing a natural wood lacquer base board and finished mother-of-pearl and crackled eggshell pieces at Trang Studio in Chuyen My.
Preparing a natural wood lacquer base board and finished mother-of-pearl and crackled eggshell pieces at Trang Studio in Chuyen My.

DURATION & PRICE

2.5 hrs · 300,000 VND / person

GROUP SIZE

Max 8 guests per session

TAKE HOME

Finished piece on the same day

01. CHUYEN MY CRAFT VILLAGE

45–50 minutes south of central Hanoi via Highway 1A or Phap Van – Cau Gie, recognised by the World Crafts Council in 2026.

02. GUIDED BY A 40-YEAR MASTER ARTISAN

Every studio session is guided step by step by master artisan Nguyễn An Định (40 years' experience) and Art Director Trần Công Dũng.

03. TAKE YOUR PIECE HOME THE SAME DAY

Complete all 5 stages—from shell and crackled eggshell inlay to wet-polishing—and leave with your finished piece in a gift box.

CHUYEN MY VILLAGE • WORLD CRAFT CITY 2026Trang Studio – Lacquer Village is located in Chuyen My village.

Chuyen My is a World Craft City — Recognised by the World Crafts Council

Chuyen My is a World Craft City — in 2026 the World Crafts Council recognised the village's mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquer tradition, nearly 1,000 years old.

Hanoi Dept. of Culture / Agriculture Plan 59/KH-SNNMT ↗Agriculture & Environment News ↗

1 OF 83

One of 83 World Craft Villages recognised by the WCC across 34 countries; Vietnam ranks second by number of members, after Iran

VietNamNews ↗

~1,000 YEARS

Craft heritage dating from the 11th century, founded by patron ancestor Trương Công Thành

VietNamNews ↗

7,000+ WORKERS

7,000+ workers, 2,030 households and 10 companies in the village

Nong Nghiep & Moi Truong ↗

VND 68.2 BILLION

VND 68.2 billion village e-commerce sales (Jan–May 2025)

Nong Nghiep & Moi Truong ↗

Figures refer to Chuyen My village as a whole, per the sources above.

According to Dr Darlie Oommen Koshy, Vice President of the World Crafts Council (WCC AISBL), Chuyen My and Son Dong show that traditional crafts do not belong only to the past, but remain a living part of contemporary life.

— Reported by VietNamNews & VietnamPlus (May 2026):VietNamNews ↗VietnamPlus ↗
Explore Chuyen My's 1,000-Year Craft Village Tour

STUDIO WORKSHOPS & TAKE-HOME DIY KITS

Hands-on studio workshops in Chuyen My or DIY Kits to make at home

Located in Chuyen My Commune, Hanoi (45–50 minutes from central Hanoi). Small groups of up to 8 guests per session.

HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS AT TRANG STUDIO
MOST POPULAR • MAX 8 GUESTSDURATION: 150 MINS (2.5 HRS) | SESSIONS: 08:00, 10:30, 13:30, 15:30 | INSTRUCTOR: MASTER ARTISAN NGUYỄN AN ĐỊNH

2.5-Hour Hands-on Wooden Fish or Round Plaque Lacquer & Inlay Workshop

300,000 VND per person

Choose 1 natural wood base board (Wooden Fish or Round Plaque: Lotus, Butterfly, Tree of Life, or 12 Zodiac Animals) and work through all 5 inlay and wet-polishing steps with master artisan Nguyễn An Định.

What is included:

  • 01.Welcome herbal tea and introduction to Chuyen My's 1,000-year inlay and lacquer heritage.
  • 02.1 prepared natural wood base board: Wooden Fish or Round Plaque (Lotus, Mother-of-Pearl Butterfly, Tree of Life, or 12 Zodiac Animals).
  • 03.All natural materials and tools: river mother-of-pearl, sea snail shell, prepared eggshell, mineral pigments, wet-polishing paper, and studio apron.

● Take your finished piece home the same day in a wooden/kraft gift box.

View Workshop Details & Price
VILLAGE WALK + 2 ARTWORKSDURATION: 4 HOURS | MORNING 08:00 - 12:00 OR AFTERNOON 14:00 - 18:00 | 2 FINISHED ARTWORKS

Half-Day Chuyen My Village Walk & Two-Piece Lacquer Workshop (4 Hours)

300,000 VND per person

What is included:

  • 01.Guided walk in Chuyen My mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquer village to see wood preparation, shell cutting, and traditional lacquer curing.
  • 02.Extended studio session with master artisan Nguyễn An Định & Art Director Trần Công Dũng to make 2 pieces: 1 Wooden Fish + 1 Round Plaque.
  • 03.Traditional tea and local pastries with the studio founders.

● Take home both finished pieces (1 Wooden Fish + 1 Round Plaque) in a double gift box the same day.

View Half-Day Itinerary & Price

NATURAL MATERIALS & STUDIO COLLECTIONS

Five natural materials behind Vietnamese lacquerware

“Vietnamese lacquer (sơn ta, a natural tree resin) is built layer by layer over a prepared wooden board. At Trang Studio, guests work directly with five traditional materials:”
01.

Natural Wood & Lacquer Base Board (Vóc)

Kiln-dried natural wood carved into wooden fish or round plaques, sealed with alluvial clay and raw lacquer to prevent warping.

02.

River Mother-of-Pearl (Khảm trai)

Freshwater mussel shells selected for their warm pink and silver-white lustre, flattened and cut into fine floral and geometric shapes.

03.

Iridescent Sea Snail Shell (Ốc biển)

Thick marine shell pieces that shift from emerald green to deep violet as light moves across fish scales and butterfly wings.

04.

Crackled Eggshell Inlay (Vỏ trứng rạn)

Cleaned chicken and duck eggshells pressed onto wet adhesive so they fracture into a mosaic of white and vermilion-dyed crackle patterns.

05.

Vietnamese Lacquer (Sơn ta), Mineral Colours & Silver Leaf

Traditional resin combined with vermilion, teal, amber earth tones, and silver leaf, revealed through wet-polishing under water.

SIGNATURE STUDIO COLLECTIONS

Two collections made at Trang Studio – Lacquer Village

COLLECTION 01

Hand-Inlaid Wooden Lacquer Fish

Wooden Lacquer Fish

Palm-sized wooden fish carved from natural timber and decorated by hand. Each piece combines iridescent sea snail shell scales, crackled eggshell patterns, and mineral lacquer colours.

  • 01.Carved natural wood fish base board ready for inlay
  • 02.Sea snail shell scales paired with crackled eggshell inlay
  • 03.Ready to hang on the wall or use as a desk object

COLLECTION 02

Round Lacquer Plaques: Lotus, Butterfly & 12 Zodiac Animals

Round Plaques: Lotus, Butterfly & 12 Zodiac Animals

Circular lacquer base boards featuring three recurring motifs designed by Art Director Trần Công Dũng:

Lotus & Tree of Life:

Built from vermilion-dyed crackled eggshell and mother-of-pearl over a textured amber lacquer background.

Mother-of-Pearl Butterfly:

Butterfly wings assembled from solid sea snail shell pieces that shift colour with the viewing angle.

12 Zodiac Animals:

Snake, Horse, Monkey, Goat, Tiger, and other zodiac signs finished with silver leaf and vermilion outlines.

THE 5-STEP STUDIO PROCESS

How you make your piece in 5 steps (150 minutes)

During the 2.5-hour studio workshop or with the take-home DIY Kit, you work through five traditional stages.

Total hands-on time: 150 minutes (2.5 hours)

  1. STEP 01 / 05Duration: 20 mins

    Step 01: Choose your lacquer base board & transfer the motif (20 mins)

    Select a prepared wooden fish or round lacquer base board (Lotus, Butterfly, Tree of Life, or Zodiac animal) and chalk-transfer your chosen design onto the surface.

    Step 01: Choose your lacquer base board & transfer the motif (20 mins) — Prepared lacquer base board, stencil & chalk pencil
    TOOLS USEDPrepared lacquer base board, stencil & chalk pencil
    MATERIALSSeasoned natural wood sealed with clay and lacquer

THE PEOPLE OF TRANG STUDIO

Meet the founders and master artisan who guide your visit

Every workshop in Chuyen My is hosted by our two co-founders and a master artisan with 40 years of hands-on experience in mother-of-pearl inlay and Vietnamese lacquer.

Meet our founders & master artisan →
CO-FOUNDER & CULTURAL TOURISM HOST

Nguyễn Thị Thu Trang (Nguyen Thi Thu Trang)

Co-Founder & Cultural Tourism Host in Chuyen My

Co-founder Nguyễn Thị Thu Trang (centre) welcoming young workshop guests in front of the round lacquer plaque wall at Trang Studio.
Co-founder Nguyễn Thị Thu Trang (centre) welcoming young workshop guests in front of the round lacquer plaque wall at Trang Studio.
CO-FOUNDER & ART DIRECTOR (SIGNATURE: T.C. DUNG)

Artist Trần Công Dũng (Tran Cong Dung / “Dũng Dị”)

Co-Founder & Art Director — Over 20 years in Vietnamese lacquer painting

Artist Trần Công Dũng in his studio surrounded by natural wood shapes and round lacquer plaques.
Artist Trần Công Dũng in his studio surrounded by natural wood shapes and round lacquer plaques.
Read Artist Trần Công Dũng's full profile
MASTER ARTISAN • 40 YEARS' EXPERIENCE

Master Artisan Nguyễn An Định (Nguyen An Dinh)

Master artisan with 40 years' experience — Your direct instructor at the studio

“After forty years with the chisel and brush, my greatest joy is showing visitors how to feel the crispness of eggshell and wet-polish their own piece to take home.”

— Master Artisan Nguyễn An Định (40 years' experience)
Master artisan Nguyễn An Định (right) with co-founder Nguyễn Thị Thu Trang and visitors in front of the Wooden Lacquer Fish wall.
Master artisan Nguyễn An Định (right) with co-founder Nguyễn Thị Thu Trang and visitors in front of the Wooden Lacquer Fish wall.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Practical information before your visit or DIY Kit order

Direct answers about studio hours, getting to Chuyen My from central Hanoi, and taking your piece home.

FAQ →
01.

Where can I do a lacquer workshop near Hanoi?

You can join a hands-on Vietnamese lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay workshop at Trang Studio – Lacquer Village in Chuyen My Commune, Hanoi, 45–50 minutes south of central Hanoi. The studio is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00 (Monday to Sunday) with four standard workshop sessions starting at 08:00, 10:30, 13:30, and 15:30.

02.

What will I make and can I take it home the same day?

Yes, you take your finished piece home the same day in a gift box. In the 150-minute workshop (300,000 VND), you choose 1 natural wood base board — either a Wooden Fish or a Round Plaque (Tree of Life, Mother-of-Pearl Butterfly, or 12 Zodiac Animals) — and complete all 5 inlay and wet-polishing stages.

03.

What is inside the DIY Lacquer Inlay Kit and how much does it cost?

Every DIY Lacquer Inlay Kit contains a prepared natural wood base board with pre-traced outlines, pre-cut mother-of-pearl and sea snail shell, cleaned eggshell, mineral lacquer colours and adhesive, full tools (brushes, tweezers, wooden stylus, 3-grit wet sandpaper), and a bilingual VI–EN manual with QR video. Each kit costs 300,000 VND.

LOCATION & DIRECTIONS TO CHUYEN MY

Visit Trang Studio – Lacquer Village in Chuyen My Commune, Hanoi

Located in Chuyen My mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquer village, Hanoi — open daily from 08:00 to 18:00 (Monday – Sunday).

TRANG STUDIO – LACQUER VILLAGE

Trang Studio – Lacquer Village (Chuyen My mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquer village, Hanoi)

GPS COORDINATES

20.7388171° N, 105.8671163° E

No. 6, Lane 3, Trung Hamlet, Chuyen My Commune, Hanoi (Chuyen My mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquer village), Vietnam

GETTING HERE FROM CENTRAL HANOI

A 45–50 minute drive south of central Hanoi via National Highway 1A or the Phap Van – Cau Gie Expressway, accessible by private car, taxi, motorbike, or tour coach.

Open Directions in Google Maps →
No. 6, Lane 3, Trung Hamlet, Chuyen My Commune, HanoiOpen Directions in Google Maps →