Discover a pottery village over 500 years old.

(HBĐT) - Located along the tranquil and picturesque Thu Bon River, Thanh Ha pottery village, about 3 km west of Hoi An city center ( Quang Nam province ), is a place that preserves traditional pottery-making techniques. Through the skillful hands of dedicated artisans, they tirelessly breathe life into the clay, preserving and conserving a traditional craft over 500 years old.

Tourists visit and experience pottery making at the workshop of Ms. Vo Tong Kim Chi's family (right), Thanh Ha pottery village, Hoi An city (Quang Nam).

Visiting Thanh Ha pottery village, you'll experience the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside, with ancient houses lining both sides of the road, reflecting the distinctive character of the pottery village. Stop at the pottery workshop of Ms. Vo Tong Kim Chi's family, a spacious 80m2 area showcasing characteristic pottery products: red pottery, elaborately carved glazed pottery such as vases, teapots, pots, jars, and jugs… Along with these are various types of clay figurines depicting the 12 zodiac animals, much to the delight of visitors. Ms. Kim Chi shared: "Having been born and raised in the pottery craft, I, like other artisans in the village, am always deeply concerned about preserving, maintaining, and developing this traditional craft for future generations. On average, our family welcomes over 100 tourists daily who come to visit and experience pottery making. September and October are the peak months for both domestic and international visitors, with the largest number coming from South Korea. Most tourists who come here really enjoy having the artisans introduce the pottery-making process, guiding them on how to skillfully manipulate their hands on the potter's wheel to shape the clay. From there, they mold it into unique handcrafted pottery products according to their own preferences.”

Thanh Ha Pottery Village is a long-standing traditional craft village in Hoi An, established in the 16th century. Originally from Thanh Chiem village, it later moved to Thanh Ha ward, Hoi An city, where it is today. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the village's products were considered "national specialties," used as offerings to the king. In the last 15 years or so, the traditional Thanh Ha pottery craft has gradually been revived, producing many distinctive products for daily life and becoming popular souvenirs in Hoi An's old town. Currently, Thanh Ha Pottery Village has nearly 20 businesses with over 30 pottery artisans, the oldest of whom is over 75 years old.

According to seasoned artisans, the process of creating a truly authentic Thanh Ha pottery product requires meticulous effort, dedication, and the skillful hands of the craftsman to infuse the clay with its finest essence. From selecting and preparing the clay to shaping it on the potter's wheel, the hands knead the clay with focused attention on each rotation of the wheel until the final product is formed. Once the product is shaped, it is then decorated with intricate patterns before being placed in the kiln. This is considered the most crucial step, as the temperature and firing time must be precise to produce a finished product ready for the consumer market.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, a tourist from Hanoi, said: "During the tour and experience at the pottery workshops, I felt the love for their homeland and country, and the passion for pottery that each artisan possesses. From lifeless lumps of clay, these artisans use their skillful hands to create unique pottery products that reflect the distinct identity of their homeland."

One of the unmissable highlights when visiting Thanh Ha pottery village is the Thanh Ha Terracotta Park. Spanning approximately 6,000 square meters, the park is constructed of brick and terracotta and displays thousands of unique products rich in cultural and artistic value. The park is divided into several distinct areas: pottery kilns, a village conservation area, a terracotta market, a miniature world, a traditional craft village area, and an exhibition area… Tourists have the opportunity to admire and learn about traditional pottery making and its historical values passed down through generations.

In Hoi An, Thanh Ha pottery village is one of the ideal destinations for tourists from near and far. Visitors can tour, experience, and even create their own pottery products according to their preferences. At the same time, they can enjoy, breathe in the fresh air, and relax in the rustic and peaceful countryside.

Duc Anh

Source