The class of 5-star OCOP ceramic products in Bat Trang

The proudest thing is that Bat Trang pottery village, Hanoi city has 2 units with OCOP products that are rated at the maximum level, 5 stars.

Established in 2013, the members of Tan Thinh Ceramic Production and Trading Cooperative are all skilled artisans, sharing a passion for the village's ceramics. Meritorious artisan Tran Duc Tan - Director of the Cooperative confided that when many Vietnamese people mention Bat Trang ceramics, they immediately think of the glazes from the Ly, Tran, Le dynasties... However, since establishing the Cooperative, he has been researching and studying ways to renew ancient ceramics to serve contemporary decorative art.

From that creation, a new glaze was born, containing all the elements of yin and yang and the five elements, called Suoi Ngoc. In addition to symbolizing the quintessence of the three indispensable elements in the pottery making process: earth, water and fire, this glaze also contains the wish for "favorable weather", all things flourishing, growing and flourishing.

The Suoi Ngoc ceramic products of the Cooperative are made entirely from domestic materials with exclusive mixing techniques to create 5 distinctive colors. The vivid effect on the surface of Suoi Ngoc ceramics is formed by the firing process in the kiln at temperatures from 1,250 degrees Celsius to 1,300 degrees Celsius. Under the impact of such continuous high temperatures, oxides, carbon, silicon... melt and blend together to create shimmering, bright colors like jade.

Typical ceramic products of Bat Trang. Photo: Dinh Thanh Huyen.

What is special is that each product is unique, without duplication, creating a unique mark of earth, water and fire. When light shines on some works, the glaze color can change into multi-color, creating effects like translucence, giving the impression that you can see through the ceramic.

Currently, the Cooperative has many types of Suoi Ngoc enamel products to meet the diverse needs of life. These can be tea sets with delicate designs like works of art. Bowls and plates have many designs and sizes that are both luxurious and cozy for family meals. Vases and decorative vases create highlights for interior spaces. Worship items with heavy spiritual meaning show respect to ancestors and gods.

Appreciating the aesthetic value, application as well as their uniqueness, in 2023, Mr. Tan's Suoi Ngoc ceramic products were recognized by the National OCOP Jury with 5 stars. Currently, Tan Thinh Ceramic Production and Trading Cooperative not only creates jobs for its members but also creates livelihoods for hundreds of local and foreign workers. Since being evaluated as a 5-star OCOP, the prestige of the Cooperative has increased, contributing to spreading the reputation of Bat Trang ceramics not only in the domestic market but also in the international market.

Not satisfied with the successes achieved, Mr. Tan aims to continue investing in science and technology, improving designs, enhancing quality, and researching modern consumer trends to produce the most suitable product lines.

Making pottery in Bat Trang. Photo: Dinh Thanh Huyen.

Before Tan Thinh Ceramic Production and Trading Cooperative had a set of products that were scored OCOP 5 stars, Quang Vinh Ceramics Company Limited had 4 products that were scored OCOP 5 stars including "Red lotus ceramic bowl and plate set", "Swallow and lotus ceramic bowl and plate set", "Dragon and phoenix ceramic bowl and plate set" and "Swallow and lotus ceramic tea set".

The Director of Quang Vinh Ceramics Company Limited is Mrs. Ha Thi Vinh, the 15th generation child of the Ha Huu family of Bat Trang village. The love for ceramics has permeated her blood and through many ups and downs, she has steered the Quang Vinh ceramics "ship" to reach the open sea, comparable to famous ceramic cultures in the world .

Currently, more than 90% of Quang Vinh ceramic products are exported to more than 30 countries, including demanding markets such as Korea, Japan, the US, Australia, Canada, Northern Europe... where quality and aesthetic standards are at the strictest level.

Ms. Ha Thi Vinh shares about the pottery profession. Photo: Dinh Thanh Huyen.

As Chairwoman of the Hanoi Handicraft and Craft Village Association and Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Craft Village Association, Ms. Ha Thi Vinh has made many important contributions in connecting, orienting and enhancing the value of craft village heritage.

She is also the initiator and director of the construction of the model of the Vietnamese Craft Village Essence Center - a cultural space combining exhibition, creativity, experience and tourism, welcoming hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors, introducing and promoting the culture and history of Bat Trang. The project has become a cultural symbol of the craft village, the pride of the people here when it won many major architectural awards such as: Gold Award - National Architecture Award 2022-2023; Winner of the Year 2023 - Design Educates Awards; The International Architecture Awards 2023 (IAA).

As for the story of registering to participate in OCOP, she said she went to Japan to learn about the OVOP program (One Village One Product) and to Thailand to learn about OCOP. "Seeing how well other people do it, I also want to help producers in remote areas of Vietnamese craft villages enter the market as quickly as possible. I set up this Center not for profit but to contribute to society because I have a ceramic factory that has achieved 5-star OCOP with 95% of products exported to other countries. I believe that each ceramic product is a story and the potter is the storyteller with earth and fire," said Ms. Vinh.

This article is in collaboration with the Office of the Hanoi City New Rural Development Program Coordination.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/dang-cap-cua-nhung-san-pham-gom-ocop-5-sao-o-bat-trang-d784589.html