Kim Lan pottery craft: New national intangible cultural heritage of the capital

NDO - On the morning of March 15, at Kim Lan pottery village, Kim Duc commune, Gia Lam district (Hanoi), Gia Lam district People's Committee solemnly held a ceremony to receive the Decision to recognize Kim Lan pottery as a national intangible cultural heritage and to recognize Kim Lan tourist site, Kim Duc commune. This is an important event, marking a turning point in preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage, while creating momentum for sustainable tourism development, contributing to enhancing the value of Kim Lan traditional craft village.

Ceremony to celebrate the recognition of Kim Lan pottery as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Mr. Truong Van Hoc, Vice Chairman of the Gia Lam District People's Committee, delivered a speech at the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Truong Van Hoc, Vice Chairman of the Gia Lam District People's Committee, said: Kim Lan commune, located in the southwest of Gia Lam district, will merge with Van Duc commune to form Kim Duc commune from January 1, 2025, according to Resolution No. 1286 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly .

Kim Lan, situated along the Red River and famous for its white clay, has a long history of pottery making. Excavations at the Ham Rong site reveal that pottery making existed there since the 7th century and was considered a valuable product from the 8th century onwards. However, by the 18th century, the craft gradually declined. From 1977-1978, the people of Kim Lan began to revive the pottery making craft, and by the 1990s, the village had approximately 750 pottery kilns. However, by the 2010s, competition with foreign products led to a decrease in the number of pottery-making households.

Faced with difficulties, some households switched to gas-fired kilns, helping to revive Kim Lan pottery village. Currently, the village has more than 300 operating kilns, employing thousands of workers and generating approximately 500 billion VND annually for the locality.

Kim Lan pottery is distinguished by its simplicity, harmony, and practicality. The village's products, from artistic pottery to everyday ceramics, serve not only the domestic market but are also exported to Japan and South Korea. Kim Lan currently has 17 artisans, including one outstanding artisan and seven artisans from Hanoi . Three Kim Lan pottery products have been recognized by the Guinness World Records Vietnam, and 25 products have received OCOP 4-star certification.

With its historical, cultural, and scientific values, Kim Lan pottery has been included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism since January 23, 2025. Gia Lam District also aims to develop sustainable tourism, especially by exploiting cultural heritage and traditional craft villages, in order to promote the development of the cultural industry and improve the lives of the people.

On August 2, 2024, the People's Committee of Da Nang City recognized Kim Lan as a tourist destination. This presents an opportunity for local businesses to cooperate with domestic and international organizations, promote the cultural values ​​and handicrafts of Kim Lan, and preserve and develop the heritage of pottery making.

Ceremony to celebrate the recognition of Kim Lan pottery as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Many experts, researchers, and artists have reflected on the formation and development of Kim Lan pottery through articles, songs, and poems, praising the love for the craft and the homeland, making an important contribution to having Kim Lan pottery included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Gia Lam, a district in the eastern part of Hanoi, plays a crucial role in the economy and culture, and is experiencing rapid urbanization. The district prioritizes the preservation of cultural heritage and traditional craft villages in conjunction with tourism. With 5 traditional craft villages and 2 Hanoi-style craft villages, cultural and craft village tourism is a key development focus, attracting approximately 700,000 visitors annually.

Visiting Kim Lan pottery village during this time, tourists can explore the Kim Lan Ceramic Museum, the Creative Design Center, and experience the pottery production process. On March 15-16, Kim Duc commune will host an exhibition of pottery products and cultural activities, along with visits to historical sites such as Ban Temple, Kim Lan communal house, and Kim Lan Pagoda, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Red River.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nghe-gom-kim-lan-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-moi-cua-thu-do-post865346.html