From the earth to the essence

(CTT-Dong Nai) - Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, there are values ​​that seem to have been forgotten, yet they still quietly burn in the hearts of those who preserve the craft. Episode 5 of the reality TV show 'A Day's Journey...' will take viewers to Tan Van pottery village, the cradle of the renowned Bien Hoa pottery, where earth and fire have crystallized into works of art for nearly two centuries.

Viewers will witness MCs Dieu Hien and Minh Tuyet rolling up their sleeves to knead clay, turn the potter's wheel, experience each stage of the process, and understand that to create a ceramic product, the craftsman has poured skill, patience, and enduring love into it. In particular, the program will take viewers to GỐM Studio (originating from Phong Son Pottery, one of the first pottery kilns in the traditional Tan Van pottery village) owned by Mr. Hua My Chieu, Vice President of the Dong Nai Province Fine Arts Ceramics Association, and his wife, Ms. Mai Ngoc Nhi, a product designer and shaper who won the title of "Skilled Craftsman" in 2023. Mr. My Chieu and Ms. Ngoc Nhi are the fifth generation of a family with nearly 200 years of preserving the traditional pottery craft.

The program is not just a trip, but a journey to listen to the land tell its stories, to admire the blazing flames of traditional crafts, and to feel the vitality of a heritage thriving in the new era. Audiences will witness the skillful hands of talented artisans, who are continuing the traditions of their ancestors while also daring to innovate and adapt to the times.

Artists at the Ceramic Studio (Phong Son pottery kiln) meticulously shape, glaze, and breathe life into each handcrafted product. Photo: Thanh Thuy

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step…” Each episode presents a new land, a new story, a fresh perspective to foster a deeper love for Vietnamese values. And Tan Van pottery is not just a craft or a product, but also culture, memory, and the future. The ancient Tan Van pottery village, once ablaze with hundreds of kilns burning day and night, continues to tell its story through the shapes of each product and the never-ending flame of the craft. Traditional pottery is now having the opportunity to transform from a riverside craft village into a distinctive cultural industry, linking local identity with the rhythm of modern development.

Creating raised floral carvings, an artistic highlight of Tan Van - Bien Hoa handcrafted pottery. Photo: Provided by the subject.

According to Ms. Mai Ngoc Nhi, "The unique glaze of Tan Van - Bien Hoa handcrafted ceramics is a subtle highlight that creates a captivating and distinctive look." Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Ms. Mai Ngoc Nhi (Manager of GOM Studio - Phong Son pottery workshop) guides the two MCs, Dieu Hien and Minh Tuyet, in experiencing making ceramic cups using the wire winding method. Photo: Thanh Thuy

The Phong Son pottery kiln space, where artisans have been diligently creating handcrafted pottery products for nearly two centuries. Photo: Thanh Thuy

Ms. Mai Ngoc Nhi introduces the nearly 200-year-old ancient kiln of Phong Son pottery workshop. Photo: Thanh Thuy

“A Journey Through Time…” with the theme “Tan Van Pottery - From Earth to Excellence,” airing at 10:15 AM on Monday, August 18, 2025, on DNNRTV1 channel of Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television, and Radio, will bring you beautiful images and inspiring stories. In addition, viewers can watch online via the DNTV Go application to experience an exciting journey through each pottery product, where art and dedication blend into unique works of art.

Source: https://dongnai.gov.vn/vi/news/van-hoa-dong-nai/tu-dat-den-tinh-hoa-55027.html