In the previous article, we delve into the captivating narratives of 5 renowned ceramic villages in the series 14 villages. Now, we wikk continue our expedition through the rich heritage of Vietnamese pottery. Each of these villages unveils a unique chapter in the saga of Vietnam’s ancient pottery traditions, where craftsmanship and cultural significance converge. Join us in this exploration as we uncover the distinctive tales woven into the artistry of these remarkable communities, each contributing to the vibrant mosaic of Vietnam’s artistic legacy.
Thanh Ha pottery village
Nestled along the picturesque Thu Bon River, the Thanh Ha pottery village in Hoi An, Quang Nam, boasts a history dating back nearly 500 years. Renowned for its durable and beautiful clay products, the village earned a place on the “national specialty” list during the Nguyen Dynasty. As Phu Xuan became the capital, skilled artisans from Thanh Ha were summoned to Hue, contributing to the construction of the imperial citadel.
Some were honored with prestigious titles like Chanh Ca and Bat Luyen, reaching the height of their acclaim in the 17th and 18th centuries, coinciding with the prosperity of Hoi An. As every household embraced pottery, Thanh Ha artisans became the backbone, transporting their goods from the village to Thua Thien Hue. The village also produced curved tiles and red bricks, supplying the ancient houses in Hoi An and surrounding areas.
Utilizing distinctive materials, Thanh Ha pottery typically displays a light, foamy texture with an orange-red hue. The products are shaped using molds and adorned with intricate carvings, creating lamps, paintings, and decorative sculptures. Despite facing challenges and periods of obscurity, Thanh Ha pottery experienced a revival, especially after being recognized by UNESCO as a “World Cultural Heritage.” Today, the village stands as a captivating destination, attracting visitors from both near and far.
Address: Thanh Ha Village, Thanh Ha Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Bau Truc ceramic village
Bau Truc ceramic village
Bau Truc pottery village, situated in Phuoc Dan, Ninh Phuoc, Ninh Thuan, is the oldest pottery village in Southeast Asia. Renowned for its handmade pottery products and unique firing techniques, Bau Truc pottery stands out as a distinctive representation of Cham culture, setting it apart from pottery in other regions. The artisans infuse their essence into the pottery through intricate patterns, shapes, and compositions.
The traditional ceramic village of Bau Truc consists of approximately 400 households, with an impressive 85% still devoted to the craft. Vibrant red-tiled houses and pottery production facilities eagerly welcome visitors. At the heart of the village lies an exhibition area, showcasing a diverse range of pottery in what can be described as a pottery museum. Notable pieces include various styles of flower vases, pots, teapots, and traditional Apsara dancer statues, each a masterpiece in its own right.
A visit to Bau Truc allows you to witness artisans demonstrating the delicate art of pottery shaping with smooth and skillful techniques. Moreover, visitors can engage in hands-on experiences, creating simple products, drawing patterns, and experimenting with firing techniques, offering an enjoyable taste of the life of a true artisan.
Bau Truc pottery products are entirely handcrafted, using natural clay with uneven coloring due to the outdoor firing process. Unlike conventional kilns, Bau Truc pottery is fired outdoors, burning wood and covering with straw, reaching temperatures of approximately 700 – 900 degrees Celsius. A distinctive feature of Bau Truc pottery is the absence of glaze, ensuring each product is unique and unlike any other.
Address: Phuoc Dan Town, Ninh Phuoc District, Ninh Thuan Province
Cay Mai ceramic village
Cay Mai ceramics have many unique characteristics and include a combination of cobalt blue, moss green, and eel-skin brown colors on many types of products. This is a ceramic line introduced to Vietnam by Chinese immigrants. To date, Cay Mai ceramics no longer exist, but you can still see them on the walls of some pagodas in Districts 5 and 6.
Cay Mai ceramic, originating in the early 19th century, collectively refers to the pottery kilns in the Saigon – Gia Dinh region of Vietnam. Established by Chinese builders, numerous pottery kilns, such as Cay Keo, Phu Lam, Buu Nguyen, and Dong Hoa, flourished in Saigon – Cholon.
Cay Mai ceramic not only supplied Saigon – Cholon but also catered to various provinces in the South and Northern regions of Vietnam. By the 1940s, amid the city’s industrial and modernization development, Cay Mai ceramic in Saigon – Cholon gradually declined. Many production facilities relocated to Binh Duong, contributing to the growth of Lai Thieu pottery as we know it today.
The primary material for Cay Mai ceramic is clay, predominantly sourced in the surrounding areas. The clay, ranging in shades of gray and soft in texture, is employed in crafting earthenware and brown and white porcelain.
The clay is prepared by kneading and shaping with mai wood tools, then stacked and left to ferment. Before molding, water is added, and the clay is kneaded once more until pliable.
Products take shape on a rotating table with an 80cm diameter, set close to the ground, with the rotating table’s column deeply embedded. Larger products utilize plaster molds assembled from several pieces during the shaping process.
The kilns used for firing Cay Mai ceramic are either updraft kilns or dragon kilns, with lengths reaching up to 20m or 25m. The kiln face inclines between 15 to 18 degrees, and along the kiln body, temperature-checking points measuring 8x10cm are placed. During firing, products are not stacked using stacking cases but are usually nested, smaller pieces within larger ones. The firing process typically takes around 2 days.
Cay Mai ceramic village gained renown for its intricate embossed artistry, where patterns and vivid colors combine, reflecting the distinctive language of sculptural and painting arts. Decorative products include earthenware and brown porcelain items like incense burners, round stools, hexagonal stools, and flower pots. Themes often feature patterns of birds, flowers, and human figures, depicted through colored paint or enamel.
The variety of Cay Mai ceramic products ranges from architectural ceramics such as bricks and tiles to household ceramics like incense burners, pots, teapots, and more. Notably, white-glazed ceramics, featuring colors like ox-blood and mottled brown, are utilized for decorative purposes on temple roofs and large statues.
While not as enduring as other ceramic villages, Cay Mai – Saigon – Cho Lon has left its mark on the development of pottery in Vietnam.
Address: Hung Vuong – Nguyen Thi Nho street, district 11, Ho Chi Minh City
Bien Hoa ceramic village
Bien Hoa ceramic village
With a tradition dating back to the 17th century in pottery making, Bien Hoa’s brown glazed ceramics have gained fame, particularly for their lightweight and delicate porcelain products. The pottery of Bien Hoa rose to international acclaim by winning gold medals at prestigious international ceramic art exhibitions in Paris in 1990 and 1993. Distinguished by the fusion of techniques from the Mai Ceramic tradition and the decorative artistry of Limoges porcelain from France, Bien Hoa ceramics produce exquisite items such as plant pots, elephants, animals, and sculptures. The unique combination of intricate engraving, painted enamel, and the use of colored glazes results in refined and sophisticated products.
Additionally, Bien Hoa ceramics are known for their lightweight composition, using ivory-colored clay that undergoes gentle firing. While Bien Hoa ceramics may not hold the peak position it once did, there is still a steady production of export-worthy goods, often tailored to specific orders.
Travelling along the Saigon-Bien Hoa highway towards the Dong Nai River basin, one encounters a prosperous village with numerous pottery kilns emitting smoke day and night – this is Bien Hoa ceramic village in Dong Nai province. The standout feature of Bien Hoa pottery products lies in their dual value as both artistic masterpieces and highly functional items.
Primarily focusing on flowerpots, sculptures, and animal figurines, Bien Hoa ceramics exhibit a modern and refined aesthetic. Employing lightly fired glazes, the products showcase colors like milky white and ivory. Decorative themes often draw inspiration from Chinese art, featuring images of the Four Gentlemen, Four Supernatural Creatures, and Han script poetry commonly found on Bien Hoa ceramic pieces.
Bien Hoa ceramics have not only secured a position in the domestic market but have also been exported extensively to countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, contributing to an increased export turnover. In the current era of development and globalization, Dong Nai province stands out as a strong player in foreign investment, particularly in traditional crafts, with pottery playing a crucial role in driving economic growth.
Benefiting from its strategic location as a city situated at the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City, Bien Hoa boasts convenient transportation and flourishing import-export businesses. The pottery industry in Dong Nai, with its distinctive traditions and unique styles, is well-positioned to introduce and expand its market to numerous countries worldwide.
Address: Binh Duong Village, Long Binh Tan Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province.
Lai Thieu craft village
Lai Thieu ceramic began to take shape around the 1860s, and over its more than 150 years of development, it has become renowned far and wide as one of the ceramic centers in the Southern region. Distinguishing itself from other pottery villages, Lai Thieu focuses on the production of household ceramics and everyday items.
The beauty and user-friendliness of Lai Thieu ceramics have quickly gained popularity among users. By producing practical items, Lai Thieu ceramics seamlessly blend utility and aesthetic efficiency in the creation of folk ceramics. The diversity in product types, varied shapes, layouts, and decorative content of Lai Thieu ceramics embody both a strong artistic essence and a folk character, forming the distinctive charm of this vibrant village.
With the goal of integrating traditional beauty into modern life, each ceramic piece undergoes meticulous crafting by skilled artisans who infuse their dexterity into the clay. Patterns on the ceramics draw inspiration from rural life, artistic works, or temple carvings, incorporating reliefs of themes like yin-yang symbols, dragon and phoenix motifs, celestial nymphs, and more. The engraved and raised motifs of clouds, flowers, and leaves create exquisite beauty within the ceramics.
Moreover, some families in Lai Thieu have inherited the pottery craft for four to five generations, dedicating themselves to the love of their craft, life, and the ancestral legacy. After leaving the kiln, the finest Lai Thieu products attract traders who eagerly transport them to various provinces and even countries such as Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, becoming an integral part of households throughout Southern Vietnam.
In recent years, the urbanization process has led many pottery artisans to seek wage labor in factories or transition to trading for a more stable livelihood. Consequently, Lai Thieu ceramic has faced challenges. However, there are still fortunate individuals and families who cherish the craft, making efforts to revive the flame of this traditional craft. Despite the challenges, there are families in Lai Thieu continuing production, primarily focusing on creating clay pigs, pots, various bowls, and more, hoping for a day when the “hand-molded clay” profession will return to its former glory.
Enduring various ups and downs, the Lai Thieu ceramic craft has maintained its traditional beauty and distinctive qualities throughout its existence and development to the present day. With its unique characteristics, Lai Thieu ceramic has earned a reputation as a prominent village in the Southern region, preserving its ancient name and essence in contemporary reality.
Address: 120 Ng. Quyen, Lai Thieu, Thuan An, Binh Duong
Kim Lan ancient village
Kim Lan ceramic village
Kim Lan ceramic village is located along the Red River, approximately 15 km from the center of Hanoi. It is situated adjacent to the Bat Trang ceramic village, with only the Bac Hung Hai Canal separating the two villages. Before 1958, the three villages of Giang Cao, Bat Trang, and Kim Lan were all part of the Quang Minh commune. Kim Lan proudly boasts a history of over 1000 years, and the village takes pride in the fact that its ceramic products have reached consumers nationwide. Kim Lan specializes not only in producing high-end traditional handmade ceramic items but also emphasizes the development of affordable ceramics for daily use.
In 2001, Japanese archaeologist Nishimura Masanari, along with students from the National University of Hanoi, conducted excavations at the Kim Lan archaeological site. In three excavation pits, they discovered numerous pieces of high-quality ceramic, including Long Tuyen and Viet Chau ceramics from China. Notably, findings included a drinking cup with ears from the 11th century, a fragment of a blue enamel plate with a 45cm diameter featuring a phoenix motif—first discovered in Vietnam. Additionally, evidence of a sugar boiling kiln and the remains of a 20x10m architectural structure were found.
By early 2003, the excavated artifacts included architectural materials, decorative materials, and ancient pottery. Particularly interesting finds were horse figurines, kiln furniture fragments, living glazed pottery, and discarded items. The traces of Tran Dynasty pottery kilns remained relatively intact. Based on the results of three excavations, archaeologists concluded that Kim Lan was once a center for producing ancient pottery in the 13th-15th centuries. Kim Lan ceramics, with patterns resembling those found in the Philippines and Indonesia, suggest the possibility of export during the Tran Dynasty. The Ham Rong area in Kim Lan commune has officially been recognized as an archaeological site.
Today, Kim Lan ceramic village produces various product lines with improved quality, not only catering to domestic needs but also expanding into international markets such as Japan and South Korea. Alongside other pottery villages like Phu Lang (Bac Ninh) and Bat Trang (Hanoi), Kim Lan ancient ceramic village diligently preserves its past to sift through and extract the essence for contemporary life.
Kim Lan ceramic, with over a thousand years of tradition and experience in producing ceramics, offers a wide range of products from high-end to affordable. They specialize in household ceramics, spiritual ceramics, and notably, the production of various types of construction tiles. Their product range includes bowls, teacups, rice containers, and decorative plant pots.
Address: Kim Lan, Gia Lam, Hanoi.
Bach Lien ceramic village
Bach Lien ceramic village, situated in Yen Thanh, Yen Mo, Ninh Binh, formerly known as Bo Bat Village, has a rich history dating back thousands of years, renowned for its unique ceramic products. Historical records mention that the pottery of Bồ Bát Village gained fame for its distinctive ceramics, a fact confirmed by the traces of thick layers of clay and dense fragments of molded ceramics.
After a period of decline, Bach Lien (Bo Bat) ceramics were revived thanks to the efforts of the artisan Pham Van Vang. While most pottery villages in the country focused on producing utilitarian ceramics, Bo Bat began by creating ceramic jewelry and artistic ceramic paintings. Observing the young artisans diligently painting patterns on the products or molding the clay, one can sense the resurgence of a traditional craft village, despite the numerous challenges. The passion of the young artisan Pham Van Vang and the villagers of Bach Lien has rekindled the ancient pottery kilns that had been extinguished for hundreds of years, bringing the Bồ Bát ceramic brand back to life.
Moreover, the Bach Lien ceramic brand is extending its reach with the enthusiastic support of the Ninh Binh Department of Industry and Trade. Ms. Pham Thi Hong stated, “To rebuild the traditional craft village, support the development of the Bo Bat ceramic enterprise, the Department is planning to re-establish the brand for Bo Bat ceramics to serve the province’s tourism development in the near future.”
Address: Yen Thanh Commune, Yen Mo District, Ninh Binh Province.
Gia Thuy ceramic village
Gia Thuy ceramic village
Gia Thuy ceramic village, located in Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province, has a history of approximately 50 years. This traditional craft thrived in the region, fostered by skilled potters originally from Thanh Hoa. Gia Thuy was chosen for the development of this craft due to its distinctive clay, well-suited for pottery. Despite facing various challenges over the years, Gia Thuy ceramics have stood the test of time, steadily growing and finding markets both domestically and internationally.
The process of creating ceramic products in Gia Thuy involves meticulous steps. The clay undergoes thorough filtering before being exposed to form ceramics. Each stage requires careful attention from the artisans to avoid errors. The clay, after filtration, is condensed and then exposed to achieve the right level of moisture. The drying stage requires precision, as overdrying or excessive moisture can hinder the pottery-making process. Therefore, artisans must consistently monitor the clay’s moisture level. After drying, the clay is brought into the production workshop for further refinement to enhance its adhesive properties and smoothness.
The yellow color of the clay in Gia Thuy is particularly favorable for ceramic production, resulting in beautifully glossy and durable finished products. Depending on the type of product, artisans mold the clay differently. For items like pots, bowls, and vases, the potters shape the clay into long, round strands that can be easily assembled when placed on the spinning table.
The peak selling period for Gia Thuy ceramics is around the Tet holiday, where traders come to purchase the freshly baked products and distribute them to various provinces such as Vinh Phuc, Hai Duong, Thanh Hoa, ensuring a steady demand for Gia Thuy ceramic artisans throughout the year.
Address: Gia Thuy Commune, Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province.
Quyet Thanh ceramic village
Quyet Thanh ceramic village is situated approximately 6 km northwest of Phu Ly city, along QL 21B. As we crossed Quế Bridge, a large village gate greeted us with the inscription “Traditional Ceramic Village Quyet Thanh.” Despite its modernized appearance, the village boasts a rich history, with records indicating its formation around the 16th century, boasting approximately 500 years of heritage according to the genealogy of families with three generations in the pottery trade.
In 1959, with the aim of reviving and developing the pottery craft, the local authorities reestablished the Quyet Thanh Ceramic Cooperative. Initially, pottery production was concentrated in the Ha village, while residents of the Thuong Village transitioned to working as hired labor for the Ha Village. In 1989, Quế Town was officially established, leading to the separation of Đinh Xa Thuong into Đanh Xa Village, part of Ngoc Son commune in Kim Bang district. Ha Village was renamed Quyet Thanh Village after the Cooperative and became a hamlet within Quế Town.
Throughout the country’s various stages of development and challenges, Quyet Thanh ceramic village experienced periods of decline, with a dwindling number of craftspersons and cooling kilns. However, a new breeze of vitality swept through the village when, in 2004, it was officially recognized by the Hà Nam Province People’s Committee as a traditional craft village.
With the scale of a traditional craft village, Quyet Thanh has promoted its exquisite traditional ceramic art products extensively, gaining recognition for skilled artisans who have significantly contributed to the village’s development. The village is gradually restoring its reputation and has established itself as a traditional craft village with thousands of diverse products.
Thanks to the passion of dedicated individuals who love the craft, the village now produces six million ceramic products annually, primarily including wine jars, teapots, decorative jars, and various essential household items. These products are distributed in provinces such as Hanoi, Ha Giang, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, and several provinces in the South. Although the village currently has five kilns, with only one utilizing modern technology, it has significantly contributed to average monthly incomes of 4.5 – 5 million VND per person.
Address: Quyet Thanh, Que Town, Kim Bang District, Hà Nam Province.
With information about 14 famous ceramic villages in Vietnam, we hope to bring useful information to you. In addition, if you want to learn about the history of development of Vietnamese ceramics as well as information related to ceramics, please visit the website http://ceramicsvietnam.com/
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