A tourist uses a digital guide at Bát Tràng Village. Smart tourism will be applied at Bát Tràng Village from October 9. — VNS Photo Minh Thu

HÀ NỘI — As part of a new initiative, smart tourism will be applied at the centuries-old Bát Tràng Commune. Now, old kilns, ancient houses and pottery workshops will be ready to receive a new wave of tourists.

The ceremony introducing Bát Tràng Commune as a tourist site will take place on October 9. A cultural festival will be held on October 9-13, with various activities to promote the tourism potential of the village. Art performances will also take place during the festival.

Located in Gia Lâm District on the outskirts of Hà Nội, Bát Tràng Commune, comprising Bát Tràng and Giang Cao villages, is an attractive destination for tourists, especially foreigners. People come to try making pottery and buying ceramics. However, there are many things about the village that visitors don’t know.

A tourist listens to an audio guide at Bát Tràng Village. — VNS Photo Minh Thu

The Hà Nội Department of Tourism, in collaboration with Gia Lâm District People’s Committee, plans to develop Bát Tràng Commune as a tourist site.

Bát Tràng Commune is home to beautiful old houses, temples, pagodas and pottery kilns. They are set along different routes for tourists to discover.

A tourist information centre is being established to introduce visitors to the site and provide other services, including an audio tour in 12 languages.

The authorities are also offering tourism services on smart devices, free wifi, virtual reality experiences, electric cars, culinary tours and bicycle hire.

Lý Duy Thanh, vice chairman of Gia Lâm District People’s Committee, said local authorities have tried to develop tourism in recent years. But now the services are being deployed professionally to bring wonderful experiences to tourists and develop sustainable tourism.

“We have brought a CNN film crew to Bát Tràng Commune to introduce this tourist site to the world, we also connect travel companies and local people regularly to lure more tourists,” he said.

Hà Văn Lâm from Bát Tràng Village said all locals are willing to receive tourists.

“We try to preserve ancient houses and kilns to make them beauty spots. Actually, all villagers use gas and electricity to make pottery. We no longer use charcoal to protect the environment and reduce smoke and dust.”

“We receive 2,000-3,000 guests each day including big groups of students,” he said.

“People often visit the central market to buy ceramic items and learn to make pottery at some workshops, but they don’t know that Bát Tràng has many more things to discover. For example, Tiêu Dao Pagoda and the Mother Goddess Temple still have many worship objects and statues dating from the 10th century.”

“Following the plan by the People’s Committee and Department of Tourism, we will establish some households to serve food and accommodation for tourists. Previously, tourists just spent half a day at the site,” said Lâm. — VNS