The journey is part of a six-year (2003-09) project between the Ministry of Culture and Information and the Belgian community of Wallonie-Bruxelles aiming to establish a cultural itinerary for Vietnam.

The project not only helps local people preserve and promote the traditional values of small craft villages, but helps tourists, both domestic and foreign, learn more about making ceramics as well as locals to market their products.

Meeting with local people and authorities, General Director of the Wallonie-Bruxelles International Cooperation Agency Philippe Scunen expressed his pride in being able to contribute to preserving the heritage and increasing the value of ceramic crafts in Vietnam, as well as to the sustainable development of the country.

Earlier the same day, the travellers visited the Phu Lang ceramic village in Bac Ninh Province.

Visitors taking the journey will also visit some of the country’s other well-known ceramic villages, namely Chu Dau and Cay villages in Hai Duong Province, Bat Trang Village, outside of Hanoi, and the ancient pottery kilns in Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh Province.

On the journey tourists will also view ceramic collections at the Vietnam History Museum , the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi, the Hai Duong Museum , and the Duong Xa showroom in Bac Ninh.