Ancient village by the river
Thanh Ha pottery village is nestled along the Thu Bon River in Nam Dieu block (Thanh Ha ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam ). This ancient village, over 500 years old, was formed in the early 16th century, along with two other famous craft villages (Phuoc Kieu bronze casting, Kim Bong carpentry) forming a traditional "triangle of craft villages" that contributed to the prosperity of Thanh Chiem citadel.
Tourists watch the process of creating ceramic products by artisans in Thanh Ha pottery village.
During the prosperous times of Hoi An port, boats from all over the country came directly to the village's wharf to pick up goods and then followed the water to the Thu Bon River to spread everywhere. After 1980, the market for household ceramics was "suffocated" by the influx of aluminum, iron, and plastic utensils. Due to the lack of competition, in the years before 2000, most of the pottery kilns went out of business, and most of the villagers quit their jobs to find other jobs.
From only 4 "red-hot" kilns producing traditional pottery in those difficult years, there were still a few residents of Nam Dieu village who were skillful and creative in shaping and firing blown pots, making fine art pottery with molds, making ceramic masks and ceramic statues for tourism and the market.
The biggest turning point was around 2015, when Hoi An tourism exploded, attracting visitors from all over the world . With the surge in visitors, Hoi An expanded its tourist attractions, and craft village tourism was put on the radar. From the brink of extinction, Thanh Ha pottery village suddenly revived. To date, about 35 establishments are "on fire" with nearly 100 skilled workers.
Foreign tourists experience making pottery
About 10 years ago, the Thanh Ha Terracotta Park was born, creating a breakthrough for this destination. The Terracotta Park can be considered the "heart" of the pottery village, at least in terms of tourism. The reputation of the park also indirectly helps Thanh Ha pottery village benefit from increasing its attraction to tourists. At the end of 2019, Thanh Ha pottery was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was also the time when the pottery village combined with indigenous tourism developed brilliantly.
Never stop creating
When visiting Thanh Ha pottery village, tourists will witness all the steps from kneading the clay, turning it onto the turntable and then shaping it. Visitors who want to try making any dish will be satisfied, including those who want to experience all the steps to make a ceramic product.
With nearly 40 years of experience in the profession, artisan Nguy Trung (62 years old, in Nam Dieu block) said that Thanh Ha pottery attracts customers because of its rusticity but diverse products. All stages are done by hand with clay taken from the lower Thu Bon river.
Thanks to tourism, people have everything today. Tourists are also the ones who "taught" us many things, the most important of which is to change appropriately. Change, but still retain the characteristics of this ancient pottery village.
Artist Wei Zhong creates with clay
Artist Wei Zhong
Artisan Nguy Trung believes that with the advice of professional agencies, the village's craftsmen have changed, adapted and accepted new things, making products that are both traditional and modern. "Thanks to tourism, people today have everything. Tourists are also the ones who "taught" us many things, the most important of which is appropriate change. Change, but still retain the characteristics of this ancient pottery village," said Mr. Trung.
In Thanh Ha pottery village, in addition to the reputation of the veteran artisans, people now often talk about the younger generation of artisans. In the trend of preserving and developing the craft village, the appearance of young craftsmen who are diligent in researching and know how to make unique products... is like a cool breeze blowing through the riverside village.
Nguyen Viet Lam, the first person to change by glazing Thanh Ha ceramic products, is a prominent young face. The ceramic products created by this 25-year-old man are unique and eye-catching. The glaze is made by Lam by mixing clam shells, ash, chemicals, then boiling and coating the ceramic surface.
"Products made from clay pottery are still quite monotonous, so I am determined to explore enameling the products to make them more beautiful. In addition, I am always creative to create unique and strange details for the products," Lam confided.
Young artisan Nguyen Viet Lam creates patterns for ceramic products
Thanh Ha pottery village is moving in a new direction, absorbing modern features but still maintaining traditional features. Mr. Nguyen Hao, Deputy Head of Thanh Ha Pottery Village Management Board, affirmed that. Over the years, thanks to the connection between production development and tourism development, Thanh Ha pottery village has created a strong vitality, affirmed its brand and formed a famous tourist destination.
"When Hoi An joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Thanh Ha pottery was identified as an important element. And only with constant innovation can Hoi An pottery survive and develop in the new context," Mr. Hao affirmed.
Having been "friends with clay" for hundreds of years, the people of Nam Dieu village are always grateful to their ancestors, tutelary gods and guardian deities of the community and their profession. From a village worship ceremony, the Thanh Ha pottery ancestor's death anniversary (10th day of the 7th lunar month) has now become a unique cultural feature, with the presence of the community and visitors from near and far.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/di-san-ben-song-me-thu-bon-185240615154538389.htm
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