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From simple, rustic land to the essence of traditional craft village culture.
In the final months of the year, Huong Canh town moves rhythmically to the turn of the pottery wheel. The road to Lo Cang village is lined with brown earthenware jars and pots. The pungent smell of earth mixes with the scent of wood smoke. The old, rustic earthenware kilns have undoubtedly been burning for over a hundred years.
The authentic Hương Canh pottery bears the distinct cultural imprint of a long-standing craft village.
Memories are reborn from a fleeting glimpse of familiar scenes from the old villages of Northern Vietnam, with the folk saying "Mong Cai porcelain, Huong Canh earthenware jars." The raw clay, after being meticulously molded and shaped, becomes vibrant works of art, familiar objects deeply ingrained in the lives of the local people.
But not confined to the tranquil life of the countryside, Huong Canh pottery quickly transcended the boundaries of small markets. The meticulousness in each step of the crafting process, the exquisite craftsmanship and durability of each detail attracted traders from all over the country to come and buy. The entire pottery village once flourished and became famous far and wide.
From pristine, unpolished clay, artisans have meticulously crafted vibrant and exquisite ceramic products.
In recent years, forged amidst the constant changes of the times, Huong Canh pottery is no longer as bustling with buyers and sellers as it once was. However, the cultural essence of this traditional craft village remains intact, meticulously encapsulated in the familiar pottery material.
Giving away "a piece of land," passing on "a piece of skill."
Life in Huong Canh pottery village is simple and unpretentious. The kilns, still burning brightly, are mostly nestled in the small alleys of the village. The living spaces of the people are closely intertwined with earth, water, and fire. Old brick walls neatly display flower vases and water jars, while courtyards are filled with raw pottery and clay. All of this has become a symbol of the hard work and pride of the pottery village's inhabitants.
The village of Lo Cang stretches along rows of brick walls piled high with pottery.
A family's living space is filled with all sorts of ceramic products.
Through countless historical upheavals and vicissitudes, the Huong Canh pottery craft has at times been lost and forgotten. Even now, there is still an old craftsman who sits diligently at his potter's wheel, patiently shaping each layer of brown clay – that is artisan Tran Van Hai.
Pottery artisan Tran Van Hai - the one who keeps the fire burning and maintains the kilns of Huong Canh village.
In front of his small house, crammed with products, artisan "Hai At" meticulously recounts his family's pottery making career: "Hai is my grandfather's name, and At is my grandmother's name (his wife). Huong Canh pottery has existed for a long time, but historically, it's probably nearly 400 years old. It's been passed down through many generations, and I'm just continuing the tradition because I won't live for 400 years. Speaking of my own generation, I started the craft at 14 and now, at 70, it's been almost 60 years."
The seal bears the name of the Hai At ceramic brand.
The distinctive feature of Huong Canh stoneware is its burnt earth color, which, according to Mr. Hai, is a unique quality that no other pottery brand possesses. This unique quality originates from the clay source in his hometown of Vinh Phuc. Therefore, the raw material for pottery must be green clay – a type of clay rich in resin, smooth, and with few bones – so that when fired in the kiln, it produces a batch of standard, high-quality pottery.
"Every inch of land is precious, every craft is invaluable," yet the passage of time and societal development have led to a dwindling presence of young people in carrying on the tradition passed down from their ancestors. "Because pottery is difficult to make, the younger generation lacks the perseverance. If we talk about talent, it's only in creating beauty. Beauty requires talent. But when it comes to firing the kiln, skill is essential. Few young people nowadays bother to learn this." Mr. Hai's words reflect the shared concerns for the development of many traditional craft villages today.
Meticulously preserving the century-old pottery village.
Each ceramic product tells a story of the land and its people, a story of nurturing and relentless effort to revive the essence of traditional culture. The potters create these products not just for business, but also see it as a way to preserve and promote long-standing values.
These unfinished pottery pieces await the day they can be transported far away, continuing their century-long journey.
Today, facing the risk of decline and fierce competition from industrial products, Huong Canh pottery village has made astute and positive changes to adapt to the new era. The artisans are also constantly developing production, innovating products, and creating diverse designs to meet the needs of modern life. In addition to traditional stoneware, Huong Canh pottery has been able to incorporate new patterns and designs with high aesthetic value.
Huong Canh pottery is transforming to adapt to the new era while still preserving its traditional essence.
Huong Canh pottery is adapting to the new era while preserving its traditional essence. Despite the many difficulties in passing on the craft to future generations, Huong Canh pottery village continues to thrive quietly and persistently, like a cultural stream flowing throughout the history of a community. From this, it nurtures the enduring belief that one day Huong Canh pottery can regain its rightful place in modern life.
