"Keeping the flame alive" in Thanh Ha pottery village.

Upon arriving at Thanh Ha pottery village, many tourists begin their journey by visiting the exhibition space, learning about the story of the village's formation and development, and then following the small paths within the village to witness firsthand the pottery-making process at each household and production facility.

Tourists capture memorable moments with artisans and the pottery they created themselves. Photo: Xuan Quynh

The riverside promenade is adorned with ceramic statues, adding a unique touch to the craft village's atmosphere. Photo: Xuan Quynh

The production facilities in the village are decorated with pottery, interspersed with plants and trees, creating an atmosphere close to nature. Photo: Xuan Quynh

Upon his first visit to Thanh Ha pottery village (Hoi An Tay ward, Da Nang city), Filip Jan Jastrzebski, a tourist from Poland, expressed his delight at being able to touch the clay, sit at the potter's wheel, and create his own pottery products. For him, it was not just an experience, but an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural life of a traditional Vietnamese craft village.

Tourists enjoy coloring and completing their own pottery creations. Photo: Xuan Quynh

Each ceramic product bears the distinctive mark of craftsmanship and the unique identity of Thanh Ha village. Photo: Xuan Quynh

Visitors explore the exhibition space, learning about the history and development of the pottery village. Photo: Xuan Quynh

“Where I live, there are no pottery villages like this. Each product here has its own unique and meticulous touch. When I color with my friends here, I feel it's a wonderful time,” shared Filip Jan Jastrzebski.

Traditional pottery making is maintained in the daily lives of the people. Photo: Xuan Quynh

Thanh Ha pottery products are diverse in design, meeting the needs of tourists for both experience and shopping. Photo: Xuan Quynh

Not only international tourists, but many domestic tourists also choose Thanh Ha as a stopover to learn about the local culture.

Through the years, those calloused, mud-stained hands have diligently preserved the pottery craft. Photo: Xuan Quynh

Mr. Vo Van Anh Pha, a resident of Thanh Khe ward (Da Nang city), said this was his first time visiting Thanh Ha pottery village. “I visited the pottery museum at the beginning of the village, then explored the village. Here, I got to see the artisans making pottery from clay, observing the potter's wheel and the various stages of the process, which was very interesting,” Mr. Pha shared.

The appeal of Thanh Ha pottery village lies in its visual and authentic nature. Visitors not only see the finished products firsthand but also observe each stage of pottery making. From a lump of raw clay, through the rhythmic turning of the potter's wheel and the skillful hands of the artisans, the shape of the product gradually emerges, carrying with it the experience, emotions, and patience of the craftspeople.

Tourists intently observe each step of the craftsman at the potter's wheel. Photo: Xuan Quynh

Many tourists choose to linger longer, trying their hand at pottery making and coloring the products. These leisurely moments help them better appreciate the meticulousness of the craft and create unforgettable memories during their cultural and tourism exploration of the area.

Artisans in Thanh Ha pottery village guide tourists through the pottery-making process. Photo: Xuan Quynh

In 2025, Thanh Ha pottery village was awarded the title of "Best Community Tourism Destination" by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This title recognizes the efforts of the local people in preserving their traditional craft and opens up new avenues for developing craft village tourism linked to cultural experiences.

Thanh Ha pottery village attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists. Photo: Xuan Quynh

Beyond simply sightseeing, many tourists choose to sit down and try their hand at pottery making and coloring. This hands-on experience helps visitors better understand the meticulousness and craftsmanship of traditional artisans, while also creating special memories during their journey of discovering local culture.

The pottery-making hands-on activity attracted many children, helping to instill a love for traditional crafts. Photo: Xuan Quynh

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long, owner of the Nguyen Thanh Long pottery production facility, the recognition of the craft village is both a joy and a responsibility. "In modern society, it's not easy for a craft village to survive and become well-known. Once recognized, we must serve even better, maintaining traditional methods to be worthy of the attention of tourists," Mr. Long shared.

Many houses in Thanh Ha pottery village are decorated with handcrafted pottery products. Photo: Xuan Quynh

Besides preserving traditional pottery techniques, many production facilities in Thanh Ha are also proactively innovating their products to suit the tastes of tourists. According to Ms. Bui Thi Phuoc Hien, owner of Phuoc Hien pottery facility, her family has been involved in pottery making for three generations. Previously, the village mainly produced red pottery from local yellow clay, but since being included in the tourist route, production has seen significant improvements.

"Currently, we have to import more white clay from other places to make glazed pottery with more attractive designs, suitable for the tastes of tourists. However, traditional clay sources are becoming increasingly scarce, which is a major concern in preserving this ancient pottery tradition," Ms. Hien said.

From gates to porches, ceramics have become a familiar decorative element. Photo: Xuan Quynh

Preserving Thanh Ha pottery is therefore not just a story for the artisans alone, but also requires the support of the community and tourists. Each visitor is another bridge connecting the past and the present, so that the traditional pottery craft is not only preserved but also continues to be vibrantly present in modern life.

XUAN QUYNH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/giu-lua-lang-gom-thanh-ha-post832979.html