The product is created by skillful hands. (Photo: Thanh Ha/VNA)
If Hoi An ancient town is a place that preserves the architectural beauty and nostalgic atmosphere of a golden age of trade, Thanh Ha pottery village is a place that preserves the quintessence of labor and folk art of Quang Nam residents.
Located about 3 km west of Hoi An ancient town, on the banks of the poetic Thu Bon River, Thanh Ha pottery village is one of the most famous and oldest traditional craft villages in Quang Nam province.
Not only is it a place to preserve a unique craft art - traditional handmade pottery, Thanh Ha is also a living symbol of Vietnamese craft village culture, where "soil becomes soul" through each rustic yet sophisticated product.
1. Pottery village over 500 years old
Thanh Ha is a famous traditional pottery village, associated with Hoi An ancient town and bearing a long historical mark. This craft village appeared in the 16th century, initially formed in Thanh Liem village before moving to Thanh Ha ward as it is today. During the golden period lasting from the 16th to the 17th century, the village's pottery products reached their peak, selected to be presented as tribute to the king.
Over the years, this small, peaceful village has gone through many ups and downs and events. There were times when it seemed like the traditional craft here was fading away. However, thanks to the deep passion and spirit of preservation of the artisans, the unique beauty and soul of the pottery craft in Thanh Ha has been strongly revived.
Today, Thanh Ha pottery village has become an attractive destination, attracting many domestic and international tourists. When visiting here, you not only have the opportunity to explore the traditional pottery making process but also can create unique ceramic works with your own personal mark.
In photo: Traditional pottery production. (Photo: Thanh Ha/VNA)
2. How to get to the pottery village?
About 3km from Hoi An ancient town, the journey to Thanh Ha pottery village is quite convenient. Starting from the city center, you just need to follow Hung Vuong street, continue straight to Duy Tan. From here, move about 500m more, turn left at the intersection to reach the destination.
The choice of means of transport to the pottery village is very diverse and flexible, suitable for the needs and financial capabilities of visitors. You can go by taxi, technology motorbike taxi or rent a motorbike to move quickly and conveniently.
However, if you want to fully experience the peaceful and intimate beauty of Hoi An, you should consider renting a bicycle. This is considered an ideal means of transport that many tourists have experienced and highly appreciated, because it not only helps you enjoy the fresh air but also creates the opportunity to explore interesting street corners along the way to the pottery village.
3. The best time to visit Thanh Ha pottery village
Hoi An has two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The dry season lasts from February to August, while the rainy season starts from September and ends in January of the following year. Therefore, the most ideal time to visit Thanh Ha pottery village is from February to April. At this time, the weather in Hoi An is usually dry, the air is cool, creating the perfect conditions for you to explore the pottery village as well as participate in many exciting outdoor activities.
(Photo: Thanh Ha/VNA)
4. What is special about Thanh Ha pottery village?
Thanh Ha pottery village in Hoi An stands out and is completely different from many other pottery villages across the country thanks to the implementation of the entire production process using traditional manual methods. When you have the opportunity to visit here, do not miss the extremely attractive experiences in this pottery village such as:
Enjoy the ancient space of the over 500 year old pottery village
Thanh Ha Pottery Village has long been considered a vibrant park of traditional ceramic art, bearing a long historical mark spanning 500 years.
Especially, if you go on a tour with a tour group, you will have the opportunity to listen to the tour guide share in detail about the entire history of the pottery village. The story of the ups and downs and the development of the village over time will definitely make you extremely interested.
Not only is it unique in its traditional culture, every year on the 10th day of the first lunar month, Thanh Ha pottery village also holds a sacred ceremony to express its gratitude to its ancestors. This ceremony is performed by the people with the hope that the ancestors will bless them with a new year filled with peace and a more favorable and prosperous business.
In particular, if you are lucky enough to visit the village during this festival, you will not only witness the unique palanquin procession but also have the opportunity to participate in traditional cultural activities imbued with folklore.
Games such as wood shaving, cooking rice in clay pots or exchanges full of laughter and joy are memorable experiences, helping you feel more unique and diverse in the customs and practices of the people of Thanh Ha craft village.
Exhibition area of Thanh Ha traditional pottery village.
Admire the skillful ceramic polishing technique
Clay is the main raw material for making unique ceramic products in this land. When visiting the pottery village, you will have the opportunity to witness the skillful and artistic process of creating ceramics by talented artisans. From rough blocks of clay, through the skillful and experienced hands of Thanh Ha pottery village workers, they are transformed into works of art with bold creative imprints.
You will enjoy every stage of the elaborate pottery making process, from shaping the clay on the turntable, decorating with delicate hand-drawn strokes, drying the product until firing it in the kiln. The craftsmen of Thanh Ha village are not only skillful and creative, but also always devote their passion and dedication to their craft. They cherish each block of clay, gently nurturing it as if sending a part of their soul into it.
Create your own ceramic piece
When coming to Thanh Ha pottery village, in addition to seeing with your own eyes each sophisticated stage to create a ceramic product, you can also participate in the creative process yourself, creating unique works with a strong personal mark.
You will be able to try your hand at shaping popular ceramic items in many different styles. Don’t worry if you are not familiar with it, because experienced and long-time artisans will always enthusiastically guide and support you to complete the product in the most beautiful and neat way. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to visit here, take the time to experience this interesting and meaningful activity.
Tourists experience making pottery. (Photo: Thanh Ha/VNA)
Visit Thanh Ha Terracotta Park
The Terracotta Park is located in the Thanh Ha Pottery Village with a large area of nearly 6000m2, known as the largest pottery park in Vietnam. Not only is it a tourist attraction, it also has the responsibility of preserving and displaying traditional pottery works of Thanh Ha Pottery Village. Thanks to that, the park becomes a bridge to introduce the quintessence of Vietnamese pottery to a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, contributing to promoting the unique culture of the nation.
The park space is designed into two distinct main areas, each with its own meaning and function. The first area is a building with a unique upside-down design, dedicated to preserving and conserving precious ceramic artifacts from ancient historical periods. Here, visitors can find works containing profound cultural, artistic and historical values. The remaining area, a building designed upside down, takes on the role of a modern exhibition space. This building displays and introduces new and creative ceramic products, reflecting the innovation and constant development of ceramic art in Thanh Ha.
One of the most impressive highlights when experiencing this park is the feeling of being lost in a “miniature world”, full of vitality and charm. Hundreds of world-famous architectural works are vividly recreated with ceramic materials completely handmade, demonstrating the talent and meticulousness of the artisans.
Visitors can admire unique works such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa bearing the strong imprint of Italy, the White House representing the powerful United States, the mysterious Pyramids of Egypt, the elegant Notre Dame Cathedral of France, and typical symbols of Vietnam such as the One Pillar Pagoda, the Turtle Tower, or the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. All create a unique artistic space that is both intimate and of international stature.
Tourists visit, watch and listen to an introduction to the traditional pottery making method of Thanh Ha people. (Photo: Thanh Ha/VNA)
5. Challenges and development opportunities of Thanh Ha pottery village
Although the industry has received renewed attention through tourism, the pottery village still faces a series of difficulties such as limited consumption markets due to increasing competition from industrial ceramic products and cheap ceramics imported from China.
In addition, the fact that young workers are increasingly leaving the village to seek opportunities elsewhere, as well as the lack of people passionate about continuing the traditional profession due to the hard work and unstable income, further aggravates this situation.
In addition, lack of investment capital and effective communication strategy has prevented the pottery village from building a strong brand nationwide, reducing its competitiveness compared to other famous craft villages.
In the context of integration and modernization, many artisans have sought new ways to revive this traditional craft. Accordingly, the skillful combination of traditional artistic quintessence and contemporary creative trends has opened up many potential opportunities for Thanh Ha.
Young artisans, with their dynamism and sensitivity, have begun to experiment with creating new artistic forms, not only preserving the unique features of traditional pottery but also bringing high applicability in fields such as interior decoration, garden design and souvenir production.
Building the local OCOP brand as well as actively participating in international cultural fairs and exhibitions has significantly contributed to introducing Thanh Ha pottery to domestic and international friends.
With the support of local authorities, the efforts of artisans and the support of the community, Thanh Ha craft village has kept the traditional flame burning over the years. The combination of preserving long-standing cultural values and promoting tourism development, along with the continuous innovation and creation of modern product lines is the long-term and sustainable development orientation that the pottery village needs to aim for in the future. This smart balance will be the key to helping Thanh Ha continue to affirm its unique position on the map of traditional craft villages in Vietnam./.
(Vietnam+)
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