Notably, the pottery village also opens its doors to tourists, allowing them to experience handcrafted pottery making right in the workshops. Here, adults and children can try their hand at making products and listen to the story of over a century of Lai Thieu pottery amidst the vibrant spring atmosphere.
Busy preparing orders for Tet (Lunar New Year).
Following the narrow paths of Lai Thieu pottery village, we clearly felt the bustling, hurried pace of life. Lively conversations mingled with the rhythmic clacking of clay and glaze. From the blazing kilns, a rosy glow warmed a corner of the village.
Considered one of the quintessential traditional crafts of Southern Vietnam, Lai Thieu pottery village was established around the mid-19th century. This pottery style is the culmination of the craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities of three Chinese pottery traditions: Teochew, Fujian, and Guangdong. With its rich kaolin clay and favorable raw material conditions, the village quickly took root in pottery making and developed its own unique style – rustic yet expansive, deeply rooted in folk traditions and closely connected to Vietnamese life.
The uniqueness of Lai Thieu pottery lies not only in its technique but also in the "passion" of the artisans. "Lai Thieu pottery lives on memories. Each piece of pottery is like a story, from old houses, kitchen corners, the sound of roosters crowing at dawn, to weddings and death anniversaries. Each product has a soul," shared collector Nguyen Huu Phuc, President of the Thuan An Antique Association.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, the atmosphere in Lai Thieu pottery village becomes increasingly bustling. Hundreds of products are being hastily completed, neatly arranged, and waiting to be loaded onto trucks, destined for other provinces and cities, in time to be present in homes to welcome the spring and the New Year. This year is the Year of the Horse, so in addition to familiar household products, clay horses are the main item produced by the village.
Mr. Pham Van Ba (born in 1973, residing in Lai Thieu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) shared: “My workshop started making Tet (Lunar New Year) goods three months ago. This year, I had the workers focus on painting golden and red horse designs. Although the market has many types of plastic or electronic piggy banks, our handcrafted ceramics still sell well thanks to their rustic charm and affordable prices. These past few days, the workers have had to take turns manning the kiln continuously to keep up with the schedule.”
To complete a product, the craftsman must go through many stages: selecting the clay, mixing it, shaping, drying, glazing, hand-painting, and finally firing it in the kiln. For horse statues in particular, the shaping process is especially meticulous. The posture must be stable, the mane and tail graceful, and the eyes should convey intelligence.
After being fired, the products are further coated with a layer of paint to prevent chipping during display throughout the spring. This year, workshops in Lai Thieu pottery village imported a higher-quality paint to ensure the gold and red colors are vibrant and do not fade. Once the painting process is complete, the ceramic horses are adorned with colorful patterns, ready to be delivered to customers.
As the trucks leave the workshop, carrying freshly fired clay horses still faintly smelling of new clay, the artisans of Lai Thieu pottery village busily prepare for the next firing. The kiln fires continue to burn, reflecting the enduring spirit of a craft village that has witnessed countless Tet celebrations in Southern Vietnam.
Spreading the beauty of Lai Thieu pottery to everyone.
Notably, in addition to producing horse mascots for the 2026 Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse), Lai Thieu pottery village is also open to tourists to visit and directly explore the handcrafted pottery making process, create products themselves, and listen to the story of over a century of Lai Thieu pottery.
Inside the pottery workshops, the conversations of tourists mingle with the tireless rhythm of the artisans' hands. Visitors are given a brief overview of the history of the craft village and the process of shaping the rustic pottery style, close to the life of Southern Vietnam. The simple, heartfelt stories told by the artisans help visitors journey back in time to see the development of Lai Thieu pottery.
The most popular attraction for tourists is the pottery-making workshop. Here, visitors are divided into small groups and guided through each step by the village artisans, including kneading the clay, placing it on a potter's wheel, creating basic shapes, and simple decorations. A heavy, smooth, and cool block of clay is placed in each person's hand. The first sensation is one of unfamiliarity; the clay is soft but not easy to handle.
Ms. Tran Minh Thu (Lai Thieu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) shared: “This is the first time I've tried making pottery. Making a product myself, even if it's not perfect, is a very memorable experience for me. I think this is a practical activity for everyone to learn about the traditional value of Lai Thieu pottery and appreciate the hard work of the artisans in the village.”
The atmosphere in the workshop became lively. Laughter mingled with the rhythmic turning of the potter's wheel. Children were delighted to see their creations carefully placed on drying racks by the artisans. Adults took the opportunity to capture every moment, from hands stained with dirt to smiles as the products took shape.
In the context of many traditional craft villages facing competition and urbanization, the model of combining production and experiential tourism in Lai Thieu pottery village is opening up a new direction. For tourists, a trip to Lai Thieu pottery village is not just a sightseeing trip but also an opportunity to "touch" the clay and fire, and experience making handcrafted products. The pottery products they take home are not just a spring gift, but also carry the story of a craft village that has kept the fire burning for over a hundred years.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/tet-ve-tai-lang-gom-lai-thieu-5078207.html
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