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Bat Trang is a familiar name to anyone who loves ceramics and wants to learn about a long-standing traditional craft village in Vietnam. Visiting Bat Trang, tourists can not only admire exquisite ceramic products but also have the opportunity to create their own unique works of art.
Bat Trang, a famous pottery village located just over 15 km from the center of Hanoi, attracts tourists not only with its exquisite ceramic products but also with the exciting experience of trying their hand at pottery making.
Located just over 15 km from the center of Hanoi, Bat Trang pottery village is not only famous for its exquisite ceramic products but also for preserving traditional art dating back hundreds of years. One of the most unique aspects of participating in pottery making in Bat Trang is that you get to create unique ceramic products with your own hands. From molding the clay to decorating, each step brings a sense of excitement and curiosity.
At the pottery workshop, artisans will provide detailed instructions on how to use clay and operate the potter's wheel. After completion, your artwork will be fired and glazed before you can take it home. All these processes will help you better understand the traditional pottery making craft and the unique culture of Bat Trang.
Mr. Luong Manh Hai, manager of the pottery-making area at the kiln, said: "There will be two pottery-making packages for tourists to choose from. If you choose the 50,000 VND package, you will only be able to make pottery here but not use paint and you can take your finished product home. The 100,000 VND package will include coloring, firing, glazing, and finally, you can take your product home if you wish."
On weekends, many young people and families with small children gather here. They have the opportunity to admire the last remaining traditional kiln and freely express their creativity in an inspiring space.
Pottery-making experiences always attract many young people, especially on weekends.
At the pottery workshop, you will receive detailed instruction from professional potters on the basic techniques.
Pottery making is not just a creative activity, but also a journey of cultural discovery. Bat Trang has a rich history of pottery making; learning about its origins and the legends associated with the craft village will help you appreciate the cultural value of pottery products more deeply. Stories from the artisans will give you a new perspective on this art form.
Pottery-making spaces are often set up in colorful pottery workshops or private homes, with pottery creations displayed all around. This space not only inspires you but is also an ideal place to capture memorable moments.
The pottery-making experience in Bat Trang includes steps such as preparing the clay, shaping, coloring, glazing, and firing.
What's special is that you can try your hand at pottery and experience the thrill of seeing your creations finished.
Besides destinations like Bat Trang Market and the Bat Trang Ceramic Museum, a unique and interesting place that visitors shouldn't miss is the last remaining ancient kiln with five kilns nearly a century old. Previously, these kilns were used to fire pottery using traditional methods. However, nowadays, the people of Bat Trang have switched to more modern firing techniques to protect the environment, so these ancient kilns are no longer in use and are only preserved for tourists to visit.
Upon arriving, visitors can step inside the kiln to admire the original arrangement of the kilns. Additionally, you can see the glazed surface of the bricks inside the kiln, a beautiful result of nearly 100 years of operation.
Visitors can freely explore the pottery kilns: from making pottery and buying unique ceramic products to admiring and taking photos with the last remaining pottery kiln in Bat Trang.
The oven has a shape resembling five seashells stacked on top of each other.
The "gourd kiln" is one of the distinctive symbols of Bat Trang pottery village. This is a traditional pottery kiln that uses wood as fuel and has a special structure with many interconnected gourds. From a distance, the kiln looks like five seashells stacked on top of each other.
According to locals in Bat Trang, to withstand temperatures that can reach 1,300 degrees Celsius when the fire is lit, the building materials for the kiln must be durable, heat-resistant bricks. However, with the development of technology, the number of traditional kilns has decreased, and currently, only one ancient kiln remains in Bat Trang. At this ancient kiln, visitors can also participate in various hands-on activities, such as pottery making, and purchase souvenirs.
With skillful hands and creative souls, the artisans of Bat Trang have created unique ceramic products, bearing the distinct mark of the traditional craft village. From simple bowls and plates to exquisite statues, each product tells a story, a part of the artisan's soul. Visiting Bat Trang, you not only get to experience pottery making but also have the opportunity to explore a rich cultural treasure where tradition and modernity blend together.
Visiting Bat Trang, you not only get to experience pottery making but also have the opportunity to explore a rich cultural treasure.
