Hanoi (VNA) – While pottery villages now mainly use moulds, artisans in the ancient pottery village of Thanh Ha in Hoi An town, central Quang Nam province have retained their traditional method of making pottery – made in hand and turned.
Located on the banks of the Thu Bon River, about 3 km from the ancient town of Hoi An, the ancient pottery village of Thanh Ha has been developing for more than 500 years. It is famous throughout the country for its traditional pottery making craft and delicate pottery products.
The traditional trade of Thanh Ha pottery was listed as national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2019.
Legend has it that in the early 16th century, craftsmen from the north-central province of Thanh Hoa settled in Hoi An and established the village. They did their traditional craftsmanship and passed it down from generation to generation.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, craftsmanship flourished, supplying pottery products to the central provinces. At that time, the products of the village were also exported to Japan, China and Spain via the Hoi An trade port.
Skilled craftsmen from the village also helped craft a number of works of royal architecture, mausoleums and residences of Nguyen Dynasty kings and mandarins in Thua Thien – Hue.
When heating pottery, Thanh Ha potters do not use thermometers to measure the temperature, but rely solely on their experience. To give pottery different colors, such as gold red, brick red, brown, pink and black, instead of using glazes, local potters only use techniques to mix soil and use an appropriate temperature when cooking.
Potters use clay along the Thu Bon River to make pottery. To produce a beautiful and durable pottery product takes a long process and requires attention to detail.
The product shaping process requires two people. One person stands on the floor with one leg and uses the other foot to kick the turntable, while the other person uses both hands to knead the clay into desired shapes.
After being shaped, the pottery products are exposed to the sun and then fired in traditional wood-fired kilns. Although this is the last step, it is extremely important, as it requires the heat and time necessary to be able to create the best products.
The main products of Thanh Ha Pottery Village are daily life utensils such as cups, bowls, jars, jars, vases and ornamental pots with various patterns and colors, especially these products are lighter than similar products from other localities.
To meet the growing market demand, the villagers of Thanh Ha now produce various products with high artistic value, such as statues and decorative products. Not only for domestic consumption, many of the village’s products have been exported to Japan, Germany, UK, France and the USA.
While visiting the village, tourists will have the chance to witness the skills of the locals artisans and make pottery products themselves.
The most special highlight in the Thanh Ha Pottery Village is the exhibition area for pottery products in the shape of wonders of the world such as the Sydney Opera House, the Taj Mahal of India, the Colosseum of Italy and the famous architectural works and monuments of Vietnam such as the cathedral Notre Dame, the Temple of Literature and President Ho Mausoleum of Chi Minh.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village is said to be an ideal destination for tourists who like to explore traditional crafts or want to experience the art from inside their own soul./.