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 recognize Kim Lan pottery as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Mr. Truong Van Hoc - Vice Chairman of Gia Lam District People's Committee spoke at the event.

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

Kim Lan is located along the Red River and is famous for its white clay. It has had a pottery industry since very early times. Excavations at the Ham Rong site show that pottery here has existed since the 7th century and was considered one of the precious products since the 8th century. However, by the 18th century, pottery gradually faded away. From 1977-1978, Kim Lan people began to revive the pottery industry and by the 1990s, the village had about 750 pottery kilns. However, by the 2010s, competition with foreign products had reduced the number of pottery-making households.

Faced with difficulties, some households have switched to gas kilns, helping Kim Lan pottery village revive. Currently, the village has more than 300 operating kilns, attracting thousands of workers and bringing in about 500 billion VND per year for the locality.

Kim Lan pottery stands out for its simplicity, harmony and convenience. The village's products, from fine art pottery to household pottery, not only serve the domestic market but are also exported to Japan and Korea. Kim Lan currently has 17 artisans, including 1 excellent artisan and 7 artisans from Hanoi . Three Kim Lan pottery products have been recognized by the Vietnam Guinness Book of Records, and 25 products have received 4-star OCOP 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 determined to develop sustainable tourism, especially exploiting cultural heritage and traditional craft villages, to promote the development of cultural industry and improve people's lives.

On August 2, 2024, the City People's Committee recognized Kim Lan as a tourist destination. This is an opportunity for local businesses to cooperate with domestic and foreign organizations, promote Kim Lan's cultural and handicraft values, and preserve and promote the value of pottery heritage.

Ceremony to recognize Kim Lan pottery as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Many experts, researchers and artists have reflected on the formation and development process of Kim Lan pottery through articles, songs and poems, praising the love of the profession and homeland, making an important contribution to putting Kim Lan pottery into the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Gia Lam, a district in the east of the capital, plays an important role in economy and culture, and is developing strongly with a high urbanization rate. The district focuses on preserving cultural heritage and craft villages associated with tourism. With 5 traditional craft villages and 2 Hanoi craft villages, cultural tourism - craft villages is the key development, attracting about 700,000 visitors each year.

Coming to Kim Lan pottery village on this occasion, visitors can visit Kim Lan Ceramic Museum, Creative Design Center and experience the ceramic production process. On March 15-16, Kim Duc commune will organize ceramic product exhibitions and cultural activities, visit historical sites such as Ban Temple, Communal House, 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