Vinh Long develops river tourism associated with the Mang Tit brick and pottery village.

Here, researchers, travel agents, local authorities, and delegates shared information on the experiences of developed countries that have successfully developed tourism services associated with rivers and traditional craft villages. They affirmed that the decisive factors for the success of river tourism are natural conditions along with the impact, support, and investment from the government, businesses, and local people.

According to Ms. Doan Thi Ngoc Diep, President of the Vinh Long Province Association of Fine Arts and Ceramics, the brick and tile production industry appeared in Vinh Long in the early 19th century in the area south of the Co Chien River. By the mid-20th century, the entire province had 39 kilns producing fired bricks and tiles, employing approximately 600 to 800 people. By the early 21st century, this number had increased sharply to 2,284 kilns.

The ceramics industry, in particular, was established in 1983 and has developed strongly since 1997 with thousands of different designs; Vinh Long ceramic products are present in many countries around the world … Production volume has increased to nearly 50 million products/year and is gradually becoming a strength and characteristic of the province, bringing in significant export value.

However, due to various reasons, over 1,250 brick and pottery kilns have been demolished throughout the province over the past 10 years, leaving approximately 850 kilns remaining.

Tourists visit the brick and pottery craft village of Mang Thít.

Faced with the challenges of the industry, the provincial leadership has consistently shown concern and provided close guidance to specialized agencies to advise on and issue policies to preserve, conserve, and develop the Mang Thít brick and pottery production industry.

In particular, the implementation of the Mang Thít Contemporary Heritage Project is based on the idea of ​​utilizing the existing traditional brick and pottery kilns in Mang Thít district as a foundation and focal point for tourism development as well as preserving the traditional cultural values ​​of the community.

The objective of this project is to protect and develop the "Ceramic Kingdom" of Mang Thít into a contemporary heritage complex, a destination on the regional tourism map, in line with the local sustainable economic and social development strategy. Currently, 649 ceramic kilns belonging to over 360 households are participating in the project and are being preserved.

On behalf of the Mang Thít district leadership, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam, Standing Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee and Chairman of the Mang Thít District People's Council, provided further information on the local efforts in preserving and conserving the Mang Thít brick and pottery craft village in recent years. He affirmed the province's policy of supporting the preservation of kilns in the face of the dismantling of numerous brick kilns. This contributes to enhancing the value of brick and pottery products, making them a distinctive local tourism product.

Scenes from the seminar.

Many topics were discussed by delegates participating in the seminar, covering important and meaningful themes such as: "From the memory of the 'Kingdom of Brick Kilns' to the 'Contemporary Heritage of Mang Thit'"; applying the public-private partnership model for sustainable tourism development: International experiences and implications for the Mang Thit brick and tile craft village - the 'Contemporary Heritage of Mang Thit'"; preserving, protecting, and developing the Mang Thit brick and tile craft village; applying charging stations and electric motorboats to develop green tourism in the Mekong River and the Mang Thit brick and tile craft village…

The seminar aimed to link cultural development with tourism development in Mang Thít, orienting tourism towards becoming an important economic sector of the locality, protecting and preserving cultural resources and the environment for future generations. At the same time, it aimed to develop tourism in the Mang Thít brick and pottery craft village in conjunction with preservation, promotion, and sustainable development in the new context.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/phat-trien-du-lich-duong-song-gan-voi-bao-ton-gia-tri-lang-nghe-gach-gom-mang-thit-tinh-vinh-long-post833691.html