Discover the My Thien pottery heritage in the land along the Tra Bong River.

The My Thien pottery craft is closely linked to the economic , cultural, and spiritual life of the community in My Thien village, Chau O town, Binh Son district (now Binh Son commune, Quang Ngai province).

The My Thien pottery craft has been included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Decision No. 2208/QD-BVHTTDL dated June 27, 2025.

The process of practicing the My Thien pottery craft.

The My Thien pottery craft has a history of over 200 years. According to the records of the Department of Cultural Heritage, the heritage site is mainly concentrated in My Thien village - an area located along the Tra Bong River, where there is an abundant supply of high-quality clay and clean water, which is very favorable for pottery making.

This unique geographical location not only facilitates production but also helps My Thien pottery products easily trade and spread to neighboring and more distant areas, becoming a famous craft village brand in the South Central region.

The practitioners and inheritors of this heritage are the residents of My Thien village, spanning many generations, with the majority being families with long-standing pottery traditions. The craft has been passed down from generation to generation, with many families having been involved in the trade for three to four generations, preserving unique secrets in shaping, decorating, and firing pottery.

Elderly artisans are not only skilled craftsmen but also "living treasures" preserving traditional craft knowledge, ready to pass it on to the younger generation. In addition, traders, merchants, and regular customers also play a crucial role in maintaining and developing the craft village through product consumption and promotion.

The My Thien pottery-making process is a harmonious blend of traditional experience and the skill of the artisans, involving many elaborate steps, and largely retaining traditional handcrafted methods.

First, the clay – the main raw material – is extracted from riverside areas along the Tra Bong River or other areas with fine, pliable soil and few impurities. After being brought back to the village, the clay is dried, crushed, soaked in water for several days to remove impurities, and then "processed" – continuously kneaded until the clay reaches the desired consistency and smoothness.

My Thien pottery products. (Photo: Le Phuoc Ngoc/VNA)

Once the clay is ready, the craftsman places it on a potter's wheel or stand to shape it. This stage requires high skill and finesse. With skillful hands and tools such as wooden sticks, cutting wires, and a potter's wheel, the craftsman molds and shapes the product – from household items like pots, pans, bowls, plates, jars, and vases to artistic products like vases and ceramic statues. During this process, each product must be well-proportioned, have a smooth surface, and be free of cracks.

After shaping, the product is air-dried in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, to allow it to dry gradually, ensuring a firm shape and minimizing cracking during firing. Once the product reaches the desired dryness, the artisan proceeds with decoration.

The patterns on My Thien pottery are deeply rooted in traditional aesthetics, featuring engraved, embossed, or raised motifs depicting flowers, birds, animals, geometric patterns, and more. All are handcrafted, requiring meticulous attention to detail and creativity.

The firing process is crucial to the quality of the product. My Thien pottery still maintains the traditional firing method using wood-fired or rice husk-fired kilns. The craftsmen arrange the products in the kiln in a logical order to ensure even heat distribution. The firing process lasts for hours, even days, with the temperature adjusted flexibly based on the experience and intuition of the artisan.

Maintaining a stable temperature, avoiding excessive heat or cold, is crucial for achieving the durability, beautiful color, and proper sound (for some types of pottery). Once cooled, the products are inspected, sorted, and prepared for sale. My Thien pottery products are diverse in design, function, and size.

Besides household items such as water jars, pickle jars, cooking pots, bowls, and plates, there are also products for religious purposes, decoration, or custom-ordered items.

The colors of the pottery are mainly natural brown, red, and yellow tones – rustic yet durable – clearly reflecting the characteristics of traditional handcrafted pottery from the South Central coastal region.

The unique identity of Quang Ngai province

The value of My Thien pottery is profoundly reflected in many aspects, not only in the economic sense but also in the cultural, social, and artistic spheres.

Pottery has long been the main source of livelihood for many households in My Thien village, providing stable employment and sustainable income for local people.
My Thien pottery products are widely consumed not only in Quang Ngai province but also in many other provinces and cities in the South Central and Central Highlands regions. This has contributed to promoting trade, developing commerce, and enriching the local rural economic landscape.

Furthermore, in the context of developing cultural and craft village tourism, My Thien pottery also has the potential to become a distinctive product serving tourists, bringing economic value combined with promoting the local image.

The My Thien pottery craft is a vivid testament to the creativity and skill of the people of Quang Ngai. Generations of artisans have preserved and developed traditional handcrafted methods, from selecting and preparing the clay to shaping and firing the pottery. Each product is the culmination of intellect, experience, and dedication, showcasing high technical skill and refined aesthetic sense.

Artisans create traditional ceramic products from clay. (Photo: Le Phuoc Ngoc/VNA)

Under the skilled hands of the artisans, simple blocks of clay are "given life" into useful objects. The lines and decorative patterns on the pottery reflect the unique perspective, lifestyle, and aesthetic thinking of the inhabitants of the South Central coastal region – simple, sincere, yet full of creativity.

The My Thien pottery craft also serves as a bond connecting the community, contributing to strengthening neighborly relations and maintaining the tradition of solidarity among the people. In each family, the pottery craft is passed down from generation to generation, not only as a means of livelihood but also as a source of pride in their origins and local identity.

Working together to make pottery, tending the kiln fire, or sharing professional experiences have become distinctive cultural activities of the craft village. Through these activities, the diligent, creative, and persistent spirit of the people of Quang Ngai is clearly demonstrated.

Beyond its economic and socio-cultural value, My Thien pottery also holds immense research value. Ancient pottery artifacts preserved locally are a valuable resource for archaeology, history, fine arts, and ethnology. Through these artifacts, one can clearly see the development of handicraft techniques, folk aesthetics, and the spiritual life of the inhabitants of the Tra Bong-Quang Ngai region over different periods.

With a rich tradition spanning hundreds of years and diverse values, My Thien pottery is not only a livelihood but also a distinctive cultural symbol of Quang Ngai province.

In the endless rotation of the pottery wheel, under the skillful hands of the craftsman, ordinary lumps of clay are given life and transformed into works of art that embody the very breath of life.

Preserving and promoting the My Thien pottery craft not only helps maintain a valuable intangible cultural heritage but also affirms the unique and rich identity of Quang Ngai province – a place where tradition, creativity, and the enduring vitality of the people of Central Vietnam converge.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/kham-pha-di-san-nghe-gom-my-thien-o-vung-dat-nam-ven-song-tra-bong-post1075042.vnp