Besides the names of Bat Trang, Phu Lang, etc., Thanh Ha is a must-mention name when talking about Vietnam’s famous pottery villages. In this article, JAVICO will introduce the history and unique features of Thanh Ha pottery village.

Where is Thanh Ha pottery village?

Thanh Ha pottery village is located along the Thu Bon River, in Thanh Ha ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam province, about 3 kilometers west of the Old Quarter.

History of Thanh Ha pottery village

The craft of pottery-making appeared in Thanh Ha in the 16th – 17th centuries and flourished in the 18th century. In the past, Thanh Ha pottery was known as the “national treasure from the earth” and was presented to Vietnamese kings.

Làng gốm Thanh Hà có lịch sử lâu đời. (Ảnh từ Internet)

Thanh Ha pottery village possesses a rich history. (Photo from the Internet)

There are two different folk legends regarding the founders of Thanh Ha pottery village: one says Sir Nguyen Huan was the founding master, while another says Madames Phuoc and Tich were the founding figures. Nowadays, on the 10th day of the 7th lunar month, Thanh Ha villagers still hold a memorial ceremony to pay tribute to their craft’s founding figures with many activities such as procession, pottery crafting competition, tug-of-war, boat racing, etc.

Lễ giỗ tổ nghề gốm Thanh Hà được tổ chức trang trọng hằng năm. (Ảnh từ Internet)

A memorial ceremony honoring Thanh Ha pottery-making craft’s founding figures is solemnly held annually. (Photo from the Internet)

Products of Thanh Ha pottery village

Thanh Ha pottery is highly diverse in types, shapes, and colors. In the past,  Thanh Ha craftsmen specialized in crafting daily-use items such as pots, jars, vases, bricks, tiles, etc. Nowadays, they also create decorative pieces such as fine art statues, lamps, reliefs, animal figures, etc. to better meet market demands.

Sản phẩm gốm Thanh Hà có đủ loại từ đồ dùng sinh hoạt thường ngày cho tới đồ trang trí. (Ảnh từ Internet)

Thanh Ha pottery products include both daily-use items and decorative pieces. (Photo from the Internet)

Distinctive features of Thanh Ha pottery products

While Bat Trang pottery is made from white clay, Tho Ha pottery from green clay, Phu Lang pottery from reddish clay, Thanh Ha pottery stands out for its yellow-brown clay sourced from the Thu Bon River.

This yellow-brown clay is known for high flexibility and adhesion, making Thanh Ha pottery lighter post-firing than products from other regions. Besides, many people believe that Thanh Ha pottery retains moisture better, preserves flowers fresh longer in vases, and enhances the taste of braised fish and boiled rice in pots.

Gốm Thanh Hà làm từ đất sét nâu vàng lấy từ sông Thu Bồn. (Ảnh từ Internet)

Thanh Ha pottery is made of yellow-brown clay sourced from Thu Bon River. (Photo from the Internet)

In Thanh Ha pottery village, clay is blended, crushed, mashed, and incubated until its texture becomes smooth and dough-like. Then, it is placed on the pottery turntable for shaping. While traditional wheel-throwing remains prevalent, newer techniques such as molding and sculpting have been adopted, adding diversity and innovation to the village’s products.

Người thợ gốm Thanh Hà khéo léo tạo hình sản phẩm trên bàn xoay. (Ảnh từ Internet)

Thanh Ha potters skillfully shape pottery on the turntable. (Photo from the Internet)

After shaping, the products are air-dried until their surfaces lose stickiness, and then sun-dried or dried in the kitchen before they are fired in kilns.

Gốm Thanh Hà được phơi khô trước khi đem đi nung. (Ảnh từ Internet)

Thanh Ha pottery products are dried before firing. (Photo from the Internet)

During the firing process, Thanh Ha artisans carefully arrange items inside the kiln to optimize space and prevent damage. Depending on the item, firing can take 1 – 3 days.

The current development of Thanh Ha pottery village

Nowadays, many households in Thanh Ha village still make pottery, some continue operating large kilns, while others have shifted to smaller kilns for crafting souvenirs. Thanh Ha pottery is highly favored both domestically and internationally, with exports to many demanding markets such as Japan, Australia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, etc.

Du khách thích thú trải nghiệm tại làng gốm Thanh Hà. (Ảnh từ Internet)

Tourists enjoy experiencing activites in Thanh Ha pottery village. (Photo from the Internet).

Additionally, Thanh Ha pottery village has embraced tourism as a major driver for preserving and passing down the craft. When visiting Thanh Ha pottery village, tourists can observe pottery-making processes, receive detailed introductions, and even create pottery themselves to keep a memorable experience when traveling to Hoi An.

Hopefully, this article has enhanced your understanding of Thanh Ha pottery village – a craft village that has a long history and continues to thrive in Vietnam.