Bat Trang, situated in the outskirts of Hanoi capital, is an age-old pottery village. Over the years, it has gained significant popularity among not only local tourists but also international visitors.One of the must-visit destinations when you come to explore Bat Trang pottery village is Bat Trang Pottery Market. Exploring Bat Trang Pottery Market.
Some information about Bat Trang Pottery Village
Vietnamese ceramics Exploring Bat Trang Pottery Market
Bat Trang Pottery Village is a famous and historic pottery-making village located on the outskirts of Hanoi, Vietnam. Situated on the banks of the Red River, in Gia Lam district, the village is approximately 10 kilometers away from the city center.
The village is renowned for its traditional ceramics and has a rich history that spans over 500 years. It is believed that the pottery craft in Bat Trang was established during the 14th century, under the Ly dynasty. Since then, the art of making ceramics has been passed down through generations, making Bat Trang one of the oldest and most well-known pottery villages in Vietnam.
Traditionally, the products made in Bat Trang were used for religious purposes, such as incense burners and items for worship, along with practical household items like vases and kitchenware. However, with changing market demands and the growth of tourism, the range of products has expanded to include decorative pieces, sculptures, and modern designs.
Bat Trang ceramics are highly regarded for their quality craftsmanship and unique designs. Skilled artisans use traditional techniques to create exquisite pieces, which have gained recognition both nationally and internationally. The village has become a popular destination for visitors, offering them a chance to witness the pottery-making process, purchase authentic handmade ceramics, and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The pottery market in Bat Trang attracts not only domestic tourists but also a significant number of foreign visitors. Businesspeople from various countries, including Japan, Poland, France, and others, come to Bat Trang to buy ceramics in bulk due to their appreciation of the craftsmanship and artistic value of these products.
Overall, Bat Trang Pottery Village stands as a symbol of Vietnam’s traditional craftsmanship, preserving its cultural legacy while adapting to the changing global market, and welcoming enthusiasts and tourists alike to experience the beauty and artistry of Vietnamese ceramics.
Exploring Bat Trang Pottery Market
Vietnamese ceramics Exploring Bat Trang Pottery Market
Exploring Bat Trang Pottery Market is an essential part of any visit to Bat Trang.
The majority of business households in Bat Trang are courteous and friendly with customers, whether they make a purchase or not. The Bat Trang Pottery Market offers a wide range of souvenirs such as pen holders, bracelets, wind chimes, and animal figurines, with prices ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 VND, attracting many tourists looking for memorable gifts. Visitors from Hanoi can negotiate prices while shopping at the market, although the prices of the goods remain relatively stable. The market is spacious, clean, and free from overcrowding, making it a safe and pleasant place to shop without worries of pickpocketing or theft.
The market boasts a vast array of products, ranging from small clay figurines to high-priced ceramic vases. In addition to trading, foreign visitors are introduced to the craftsmanship and essence of traditional pottery by the local Bat Trang residents. In the mornings, thousands of young people from Hanoi and foreign guests follow the Red River’s banks or travel by boat to the market. They eagerly explore and feel the authentic Bat Trang ceramics with their own hands. The products range from contemporary-styled vases, dishes, and colorful terracotta, to restored antique bowls, plates, artistic sculptures, and charming ceramic bracelets adorned with unique patterns and cute animal shapes that appeal to the younger generation.
Beyond freely browsing the goods, tourists are also treated to demonstrations of the production process, such as drawing intricate patterns and mixing ceramic glazes, which the skilled artisans have devotedly researched. One vendor, Mr. Phung Van Huu, shares that their primary goal in bringing their products to the Bat Trang market is to introduce traditional products to visitors from afar, with less focus on pure business. This makes Bat Trang Pottery Market a unique place where tourists can comfortably browse and learn about the products without feeling pressured to buy.
According to some young visitors, besides purchasing ceramics, they also come to Bat Trang to explore the production process and the essence of ceramic products. The market offers them an intimate connection with the world of ceramics and the artisans.
Mr. Tran Quoc Viet, the head of the market management board, emphasizes that the people of Bat Trang desire to preserve and maintain their traditional brand’s reputation, establishing a solid foothold in the market economy. Therefore, all products brought to the pottery market are of high quality and reasonably priced. Furthermore, the market fosters an environment of cooperation rather than competition among business households. They exchange knowledge, learn new designs, experiment with unique glazes, and share ideas to create original and innovative products since they are the ones producing and designing the products themselves.
According to Mr. Viet, the market currently has nearly 100 stalls, but there are plans to expand it further in the future. Additionally, an area will be designated to demonstrate the production process, allowing tourists to personally experience all 24 stages of pottery making and create their own products according to their preferences. This way, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of this traditional craft.
Bat Trang Pottery Market is not only a commercial destination but also a place where visitors can immerse themselves in the essence of Vietnamese pottery-making culture. It is a treasure trove of traditional craftsmanship and a source of pride for the local community in preserving and promoting their heritage.
What to eat at Bat Trang Pottery Market?
Not only renowned for its traditional pottery craft, Bat Trang is also known for its exquisitely rich culinary culture.
Trà hột hoa sói – Bat Trang’s specialty tea
Vietnamese ceramics Exploring Bat Trang Pottery Market
“Cơm nước mắm, tắm đòn dong- Chè hột hoa sói, nước sông Nhị Hà”
It means: “Rice and fish sauce, bathed in the gentle river – Wolfberry Flower Sweet Soup, water from the Nhị Hà river.”
Wolfberry Flower Tea is a unique tea preparation and enjoyment method unique to Bat Trang. According to tradition, this special tea is made from the buds of the tea plant before they fully bloom, giving it a refreshing taste without causing insomnia. Sipping a cup of this tea and enjoying the accompanying sweet rice dessert with pomelo blossoms is considered a delightful ritual for the people of Bat Trang.
Unlike jasmine, the scent of wolfberry flowers is gentle and reminiscent of sweet-scented osmanthus flowers. The wolfberry flowers are white, and for tea preparation, they must be fresh, white, and processed with meticulous and delicate techniques.
During the tea-making process, the teapot is rinsed with hot water, then a handful of tea leaves is added to the teapot, followed by water, and swiftly poured out. This stage is called the tea-washing stage, which stimulates the tea molecules to release in subsequent infusions. Then, the appropriate amount of water is measured and poured over the tea leaves for brewing.
Moreover, the best tea is prepared using rainwater or historically, water from the Red River after it was treated with lime.
Canh măng mực Bát Tràng
Vietnamese ceramics Exploring Bat Trang Pottery Market
Mushroom and Squid Shoot Soup is considered a traditional delicacy of the people of Bat Trang and an indispensable dish on the village’s dining table. This soup requires meticulous and time-consuming preparation, especially in peeling the small shoots of bamboo and squid. To create a delicious dish, the ingredients must be carefully selected and handled.
The chefs skillfully process the ingredients to eliminate any fishy taste from the squid, leaving only the delightful aroma of grilled dried squid combined with the light and mild taste of dried bamboo shoots in the clear broth. The broth is made using shrimp and bone stock to enhance the flavor.
Especially, a layer of egg threads is placed on top of the soup, preventing the squid from becoming chewy when consumed. The serving of the Mushroom and Squid Shoot Soup should have a rich golden color, while the broth should be clear and subtly sweet. When enjoyed, the bamboo shoots and squid should be crunchy, tender, and infused with an alluring fragrance.
Su hào xào mực Bát Tràng
Vietnamese ceramics Exploring Bat Trang Pottery Market
Alongside the Mushroom and Squid Shoot Soup, another must-try dish when visiting Bat Trang Pottery Village is the Crispy Dried Squid with Jicama.
To create a distinctive and flavorful taste for this dish, dried squid from Thanh Hoa is used, known for its delightful aroma and deliciousness. The dried squid must be of the female variety to ensure tenderness. Firstly, the dried squid is soaked in boiling water until it cools down to about 40 degrees Celsius, then thoroughly rinsed to remove impurities. Next, ginger wine is used to wash the squid until it becomes white and smooth.
The elephant ear bulbs are thinly sliced and squeezed to remove excess water, ensuring a crispy texture. They are then mixed with the dried squid, along with black peppercorns and coriander to enhance the flavor of the dish.
Xôi vò chè đường
Exploring Bat Trang Pottery Market
This is a traditional dessert of the people of Bat Trang, particularly popular during the summer. Xoi vo is a labor-intensive dish that requires many steps in the preparation process. The glutinous rice must be cooked thoroughly, and the mung beans must adhere evenly to each grain of rice, creating a thin, shiny golden layer. When served with sweet che syrup, the combination is harmonious, delightful to the taste buds, and not overwhelming.
However, the unique feature of Xoi vo che duong lies not only in the rice grains but also in the sweet che broth. The sweet che broth carries the delicate fragrance of pomelo flowers. When eaten, the subtle and lingering aroma of the flowers blends harmoniously in the mouth. The che broth has a smooth consistency, not too thin nor too thick.
Bánh khoai nướng cốt dừa
Exploring Bat Trang Pottery Market
Simple and rustic, the coconut-baked sweet potato cake is also loved by many when visiting Bat Trang. The cake is made from purple or yellow sweet potatoes, with the rich and buttery taste of sweet potatoes, the fragrant richness of coconut milk, and the slightly chewy texture of shredded coconut sprinkled on top. This is a familiar rural gift at Bat Trang ceramic market.
Before boiling, sweet potatoes are carefully selected to remove any damaged, sprouted, or rotten ones, as even one bad potato can ruin the whole batch. After being steamed until tender, the sweet potatoes are ground into a smooth flour, then compacted into molds and coated with roasted sesame seeds to ensure the cakes remain intact and not crumble when moved or held in hand. The final step is to place the charming cakes in the oven, allowing the outer layer to dry evenly and form a thin, delicate crust.
Chè kho Bát Tràng
Exploring Bat Trang Pottery Market
If you have the opportunity to visit Bat Trang during Tet, you cannot miss the traditional dessert called “Chè Kho” – an indispensable dish on the Tet feast of the people of Bat Trang. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Chè Kho is served to guests as a gift from the host, with the wish for a sweet and prosperous year, just like the unique flavor of Chè Kho.
The process of making Chè Kho is quite intricate; if not careful, the dessert can become lumpy and rough, which is common among non-professional dessert makers. Skillful and experienced hands, just like those of skilled ceramic artisans, are required.
A perfect Chè Kho must have a glossy yellow color, smooth and velvety texture, without lumps or roughness, and a gentle and not overwhelming sweetness, creating a delightful sensation when enjoyed.
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