Whenever Hoi An is mentioned, people often immediately think of the ancient town shimmering with lanterns or the romantic Hoai River at sunset. However, alongside that dazzling and romantic beauty, Hoi An also has a unique, rustic and simple side hidden beside the gentle Thu Bon River, where the Thanh Ha pottery village still burns brightly day and night.
Visiting Thanh Ha pottery village, you'll feel like you've stepped into a peaceful, old-fashioned countryside, where the sounds of the pottery wheel and the fire in the kiln blend with the gentle smiles of the artisans.
Discovering a 500-year-old pottery village
Nestled beside the tranquil Thu Bon River, just about 3km west of Hoi An Ancient Town, Thanh Ha pottery village in Hoi An Tay ward, Da Nang province (formerly Quang Nam province) emerges as an ancient countryside, where the sounds of pottery wheels blend with the simple life of the locals. This location has not only facilitated trade since ancient times but also imbues the village with a poetic beauty, intimately connected to the river that has nurtured generations.
The history of Thanh Ha pottery village dates back to the 16th century, when people from Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh (formerly Nam Dinh area), and Hai Phong (formerly Hai Duong area) migrated to this land, bringing with them the pottery craft. Initially, the craft originated in Thanh Liem village, then moved to Thanh Ha as it is today. Particularly, the 16th and 17th centuries were the most glorious period, when pottery products from this area not only served daily life but were also chosen as offerings to the emperor. At that time, the vases, jars, and pots, imbued with the spirit of the earth and the skillful hands of the artisans, became the pride of the entire region.
However, like many other traditional craft villages, Thanh Ha has experienced many ups and downs. There were periods when pottery seemed on the verge of being forgotten, as market demands changed and modern industrial products gradually overshadowed it. The small village by the Thu Bon River faced the risk of losing its ancestral craft. But it was the love for the craft, the perseverance, and the dedication of the artisans that reignited the flame of the craft. They not only preserved the ancient techniques but also imbued each pottery product with their soul and pride, so that Thanh Ha today still resonates with the sound of the potter's wheel, still burns brightly in the kilns, and still retains the traditional identity that has existed for over 500 years.
More than just a pottery production center, this place is also a unique cultural and tourist destination, contributing to the distinct identity of Hoi An.
Characteristics of Thanh Ha pottery
What sets Thanh Ha pottery apart is its preservation of traditional handcrafted processes. From selecting the clay, kneading, shaping the pottery on a potter's wheel, drying in the sun, to firing in the kiln, everything is done by the skillful hands of the artisans. Without the intervention of modern machinery, each product here carries the essence of time, the meticulousness, and the dedication of the artisans.
The raw materials are also one of the important factors that contribute to the unique character of the products here. The clay used to make pottery is carefully selected from alluvial soils along the riverbanks, possessing high plasticity and durability. Thanks to this, Thanh Ha pottery products are not only sturdy but also retain their natural, rustic colors, without the need for elaborate glazes. This very simplicity creates a unique appeal, making Thanh Ha pottery different from many other pottery lines nationwide.
In terms of style, Thanh Ha pottery possesses a rustic, familiar beauty, reflecting the daily life of the people. Pots, jars, vases, and even small utensils exude simplicity yet sophistication. Without elaborate patterns or ostentatious shapes, Thanh Ha pottery captivates viewers with its authenticity and natural harmony.
Most importantly, it's the spirit of the artisan. The Thanh Ha pottery makers don't just create products to sell; they see it as a way to preserve their ancestral traditions. Each lump of clay is cherished as a part of their memories, a part of their homeland's soul. As their hands turn the clay wheel, they imbue it with their love for their craft, their pride, and their responsibility to their heritage.
Therefore, each Thanh Ha pottery product is not just an object, but also a story, a testament to the enduring nature of a traditional craft that has existed for over 500 years.
Thanh Ha pottery in Hoi An tourism
Today, Thanh Ha pottery village is not just a traditional pottery production site, but has become a unique cultural and tourist destination in Hoi An. Every step here, visitors not only admire the rustic pottery products but also immerse themselves in a space steeped in memories, where time seems to stand still amidst the sounds of the potter's wheel and the blazing fire of the kiln.
The most appealing aspect of visiting Thanh Ha is the hands-on experience. Visitors can witness skilled artisans shaping clay, transforming raw clay into exquisite vases and jars. Beyond simply observing, you can even participate in the molding and shaping process, taking home a small, personalized pottery piece as an unforgettable souvenir.
an artisan from Thanh Ha pottery village
With over 500 years of history, Thanh Ha pottery village gives visitors the feeling of stepping back in time. The ancient houses, narrow streets, and traditional kilns remain, reminding people of a peaceful countryside where pottery has sustained generations.
It is this ancient charm that makes Thanh Ha pottery village a unique destination, adding cultural depth to the journey of exploring Hoi An.
In particular, when visiting, you can explore Thanh Ha Terracotta Park, covering nearly 6000m². This park preserves and showcases Vietnamese ceramic products, while also recreating hundreds of famous world architectural works in ceramics – from the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Egyptian Pyramids to the One Pillar Pagoda and the Turtle Tower, etc. This park is like a "miniature world" made of ceramics, both artistic and a place to promote Vietnamese culture to international friends.
Thanh Ha Terracotta Park
Most importantly, Thanh Ha pottery village also embodies community values. It is a place that connects tourists with local culture, where every conversation with artisans and every pottery product created becomes a bridge between the past and the present.
It can be said that Thanh Ha pottery village not only contributes to preserving traditional crafts, but also promotes the socio-economic development of Hoi An, creates jobs for the people, and enhances Hoi An's position on the cultural tourism map.
Conclusion
Thanh Ha Pottery Village is not just a traditional craft village, but also an integral part of Hoi An's soul. With over 500 years of history, it preserves precious cultural, artistic, and spiritual values.
Visiting Thanh Ha, you can not only sightsee, but also experience the ancient atmosphere, try your hand at pottery making, and feel the passion of the artisans. It is this simplicity and sincerity that makes the pottery village an unmissable destination when exploring Hoi An.
Thanh Ha pottery village - where clay is transformed into art, where tradition lives on through time.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Luan Nguyen
- Content: Giang Huynh
- Design: Trung Huynh
