Expectations to elevate the heritage of the red brick and pottery craft village.

The first Red Ceramic Tile Festival - Green Economy of Vinh Long Province in 2024 (hereinafter referred to as the festival) is considered the biggest cultural event of the past year and has been assessed as a great success.

Báo Vĩnh Long•04/02/2025

Stunning images from the festival's opening night.

The first Red Ceramic Tile Festival - Green Economy of Vinh Long Province in 2024 (hereinafter referred to as the festival) is considered the biggest cultural event of the past year and has been assessed as a great success.

This also opens up prospects for a recurring event aimed at enhancing the scale of the event, elevating the value of the cultural heritage of the craft villages, promoting the image of the homeland, and attracting tourists to become a special destination in the Mekong Delta region. It also fulfills the aspirations and needs of the people of the province to enjoy culture, spreading it more widely with truly attractive activities.

"A powerful statement and commitment to sustainable development"

It is a powerful declaration and commitment to sustainable development, in line with the general spirit of green development that the Vietnamese Government has committed to the world . This declaration and commitment were fully demonstrated by Vinh Long province at the biggest cultural event of 2024 and were highly appreciated and recognized by government leaders.

The traditional red brick-making village will be elevated and its unique cultural heritage values of the Southern region will be spread. It will also contribute a special destination to the Mekong Delta tourism map in the not-too-distant future. Photo: HUYNH THANH THIEN

At the opening ceremony of the festival, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc affirmed: “Today, on the historically and culturally rich land of Vinh Long, I am very honored to attend the first Vinh Long Red Brick and Pottery Festival - Green Economy in 2024. This is not only a cultural festival to promote and introduce the value of the local centuries-old red brick and pottery craft, but also a strong declaration of our commitment to a green and sustainable future, linked to the preservation and promotion of the nation's cultural values.”

Our strategic development orientation and long-term vision always maintain a harmonious balance between economics and culture, placing culture on par with politics and economics; at the same time, on the path to the future, we always continue to preserve the age-old traditional values that have become a moral principle of "gratitude" of the Vietnamese people.

I couldn't help but feel moved by the images that brought back to life the old way of life of the people of Southern Vietnam on an afternoon on the Thầy Cai canal (Mang Thít).

This was acknowledged by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, who highly appreciated the humanitarian purpose and significance of the festival: “Today's opening day of the festival is a day for us to remember and pay tribute to the heroic martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the survival of the nation. Today's opening ceremony is also a day for us to honor the previous generations who created the enduring red bricks and ceramics that are considered a 'contemporary heritage' and a 'red kingdom' that we continue to preserve and develop today.”

Tradition and culture are the foundation of social development, and for the Vietnamese people, they have been an internal strength throughout history. In the new era of rapid and deep integration, culture is both a goal and a driving force for sustainable and harmonious development. With the heritage of the Mang Thít red brick and pottery village, this is a source of pride in the past and an aspiration for future development.

This serves as both a motivation and a responsibility for today's generation in inheriting and promoting the legacy of their ancestors, as affirmed by the Provincial Party Secretary, Bui Van Nghiem: “This event continues to honor the spirit of diligent labor, creativity, and skillful hands of the people of Vinh Long over the past 100 years; this is also a land with open-minded, simple, and sincere people in the central region of the Southwest, a common cradle connecting all regions of the country to build and develop; it is the dedication of the younger generation who wish to preserve a traditional craft village unique to this land; and above all, it is the culmination of the aspiration that the “Kingdom of Red Bricks and Pottery” will become an attractive tourist destination, so that the moss-covered, ancient brick kilns can bring Vinh Long's culture to all parts of the country.”

The first Vinh Long Province Red Ceramic Tile Festival - Green Economy in 2024 aims to exhibit, introduce, and promote achievements, potential, and strengths in various fields, contributing to attracting investment, strengthening regional linkages, and seeking opportunities to expand to domestic and international markets.

"Keeping the flame alive" in traditional craft villages, "igniting" aspirations.

Preserving the heritage of our ancestors is not solely the responsibility of the craft villages, but a sacred mission shared by all of us—the children of Vinh Long province. This has been demonstrated in recent times through the leadership and determined efforts of the entire political system, the concerted efforts of the entire Party, people, and army of Vinh Long province, with the festival being one of the prime examples.

Recreating the image of a rural riverside market on the Thầy Cai canal at the 1st Vĩnh Long Province Red Brick and Green Economy Festival in 2024. A unique suggestion in the process of developing handicraft village tourism products. Photo: TRẦN THANH SANG

Vinh Long has done its utmost for the success of a major cultural event of the province. The people and tourists from inside and outside the province witnessed many special activities taking place for the first time along the Thầy Cai canal (Mang Thít) simultaneously with important events in Vinh Long City, fulfilling the overall spirit and purpose of the festival.

The activities were quite attractive and engaging, featuring a variety of events, specifically: a floating market recreated on the riverbank – a unique cultural feature of the people of the Mekong Delta; an exhibition and hands-on experience of pottery production, introducing and allowing visitors to learn more about the story of the craft village; a famtrip organized to experience tourism in Vinh Long; a culinary competition and the establishment of a record for 102 dishes made from and served with tofu skin, the first of its kind in Vietnam; and the first-ever introduction of water puppetry and LED kites to the local area to entertain the people and tourists.

Children playing in the dirt and experiencing it will sow the seeds of love for the heritage of traditional crafts in future generations.

In particular, relevant departments have encouraged many businesses inside and outside the province to participate in the exhibition area showcasing OCOP products, typical rural industrial products, local specialties, tourism and service exhibitions, etc. The exhibition area, with the participation of 16 provinces and cities and 13 businesses and sponsors with 242 booths, attracted over 30,000 visitors and shoppers.

With what we have achieved from the first event, we have even more strength, willpower, belief, and expectation to elevate the heritage of the Mang Thít red brick and pottery village in the not-too-distant future.