Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Ha Nam province, lies the timeless allure of Quyet Thanh pottery village, a cultural gem that has withstood the test of time for over five centuries. As one embarks on a journey to explore this historic site, the rich tapestry of tradition and craftsmanship unfolds, offering a captivating glimpse into Vietnam’s artisanal heritage. Join us on an immersive adventure through the hallowed streets of Quyet Thang, where the echoes of ancient pottery techniques and the vibrant spirit of community continue to thrive in harmony with modernity.
Pottery making
Visiting the 500-year-old Quyet Thanh pottery village in Ha Nam
Pottery making is an ancient craft that has been practiced for thousands of years, spanning diverse cultures and civilizations around the globe. Rooted in both tradition and innovation, the art of pottery involves the shaping of clay into various forms, which are then fired at high temperatures to create durable and often decorative objects.
At its core, pottery making is a blend of science, artistry, and skilled craftsmanship. Artisans typically start with raw clay, which is kneaded and shaped by hand or with the aid of a potter’s wheel to form vessels, sculptures, or other functional and ornamental items. This process demands precision and patience, as even slight variations in pressure or technique can significantly influence the final product.
Once formed, the pottery is left to dry before undergoing its first firing, known as the bisque firing. This initial firing removes moisture from the clay and strengthens the structure, preparing it for glazing. Glazes, made from various minerals and oxides, add color, texture, and surface characteristics to the finished piece. Artisans apply glazes by dipping, pouring, or brushing them onto the pottery before it undergoes a final firing, which fuses the glaze to the surface and completes the transformation into a durable, functional, and often aesthetically pleasing work of art.
Beyond its practical applications, pottery making holds cultural significance as a form of artistic expression and a reflection of local traditions and heritage. In many communities, pottery making techniques have been passed down through generations, preserving ancient methods while also evolving to incorporate contemporary influences and innovations.
Today, pottery continues to thrive as both a traditional craft and a contemporary art form, with artisans around the world exploring new techniques, pushing boundaries, and creating pieces that resonate with modern sensibilities. Whether crafted for everyday use, ceremonial purposes, or purely artistic expression, pottery remains a testament to humanity’s enduring creativity and connection to the earth
Visiting the 500-year-old Quyet Thang pottery village in Ha Nam
Mr. Nguyen Duc Phu, the Chairman of the Quyet Thang Pottery Cooperative, shares a finely crafted pottery product, which has won numerous awards at competitions and exhibitions
Located approximately 6 kilometers northwest of Phu Ly city, following National Highway 21B and passing through Que Bridge, we encountered a fairly large village gate adorned with the inscription “Quyet Thanh Traditional Pottery Village“. Although the village gate has been modernized, in terms of historical significance, according to the genealogy of families with three generations or more engaged in pottery making, the craft village was established around the 16th century, making it about 500 years old.
In our conversation with Mr. Nguyen Duc Phu, Chairman of the Quyet Thanh Pottery Cooperative, he mentioned that since 1959, with the aim of reviving and developing the pottery craft, the local authorities have re-established the Quyet Thang Pottery Cooperative. Initially, pottery making was concentrated in the Lower Village area, while people from the Upper Village ceased pottery production and turned to work as laborers for the Lower Village. By 1989, Quyet Thang was officially renamed the pottery village, reflecting the name of the cooperative, and was designated as a hamlet within Que Town…
Throughout the country’s ups and downs, the Quyet Thanh pottery village seemed to have faced the brink of extinction at times, with only a few households engaged in the craft, and kilns gradually cooling down. However, a new breeze revitalized the village when in 2004, it was officially recognized as a traditional craft village by the Ha Nam provincial government.
With the scale of a traditional craft village, the exquisite traditional pottery products have been widely promoted and recognized. Skilled artisans have been acknowledged for their contributions to the development of the craft village. Quyet Thanh Pottery Village has been gradually restored, establishing itself as a traditional craft village with thousands of different products.
Thanks to the enthusiasm of pottery enthusiasts, the craft village now produces approximately 6 million products annually, mainly including wine jars, teapots, vases, etc., and some other essential household items. After being fired, these products are distributed to provinces such as Hanoi, Ha Giang, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, and some southern provinces. Although the pottery village currently has 5 kilns, only one of them utilizes modern technology, but it has brought an average monthly income of 4.5 – 5 million VND per person.
According to our research, Quyet Thanh pottery products nowadays are diverse and abundant, ranging from common household pottery items such as jars, vases, and pots to exquisite decorative ceramics or household items such as teapots, cups, plates, worship statues, and figurines. The distinctive red pottery is particularly popular in the market.
To create high-quality and distinctive products of Quyet Thanh pottery village, the clay used must be a special type of yellow, smooth, and malleable clay unique to the area.
After being recognized as a traditional craft village in 2004, in 2010, the pottery products of Quyet Thanh traditional craft village were further recognized by the Ha Nam Department of Science and Technology as the brand “Quyet Thanh Artistic Pottery”.
Mr. Pham Hong Son, Chairman of Kim Bang District People’s Committee, stated that in 2018, the industrial and craft industry production value of the district reached approximately 8,930 billion VND (with craft villages contributing 270.8 billion VND), increasing by 19% compared to 2017.
In recent years, the locality has actively focused on resolving difficulties for enterprises to develop production following Resolution 19/NQ-CP, Resolution 35/NQ-CP of the Government, with a focus on administrative procedures, supporting labor, and production activities.
Special attention has been given to maintaining and developing craft villages and rural industries, continuing to implement the Conservation and Development Plan for Quyet Thanh Pottery Village. Up to now, 05 investors have been approved by the Ha Nam People’s Committee to invest in pottery and ceramics production with a total capital of 21.4 billion VND.
Chairman Pham Hong Son further added: Over time, ceramic and porcelain products have gradually been replaced, but the unique and cultural distinctive products are still preserved, developed, and cherished by the people in the village. To preserve and promote the value, the locality currently focuses on investing in machinery and equipment, upgrading workshops, retraining skilled labor, and passing on the craft to the younger generation.
With its long-standing historical tradition and the dedication of its people, Quyet Thanh pottery products will continue to thrive, affirming their position with each product and the secrets of a traditional craft village with a 500-year history nestled along the picturesque Da River.
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