Thanh Ha Pottery Village: Tickets, experiences, and more

Contents

Discover all about Thanh Ha Ceramic Village in this article! (Source: Collected)

1. About Thanh Ha Pottery Village in Hoi An

• Address: Pham Phan Street, Thanh Ha Ward, Hoi An City

• Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, from Monday to Sunday

• Ticket prices: 35,000 VND per person

Thanh Ha Pottery Village is situated along the Thu Bon River, about 3 kilometers west of Hoi An City. This village embodies over 500 years of local pottery tradition and is a famous tourist attraction in Hoi An. 

The charm of this village lies not only in its rich cultural history but also in its pristine beauty and the hospitality of its community. Coming here, visitors can learn about traditional pottery making and immerse themselves in the tranquil rural atmosphere, with ancient banyan trees, communal yards, and old houses. 

2. Time-honored Thanh Ha pottery-making technique

Historical records indicate that in the early 16th century, migrants from Thanh Hoa Province settled in Quang Nam, bringing with them the craft of pottery. Here, they established the village, built kilns, and produced household pottery items that served the entire Central Vietnam region. Thanh Ha pottery flourished most notably in the 17th and 18th centuries, closely linked with the trading port of Hoi An. Its wares reached across Quang region, Thua Thien Hue, and abroad to Japan, China, and Spain. Today, the craft continues with 32 households, all descendants of these artisans.

Thanh Ha Pottery Village in Vietnam is known for its unique pottery techniques (Source: Collected)

An enduring feature of Thanh Ha – Hoi An pottery is its preservation of traditional techniques over five centuries: hand-shaping on a wheel without molds, no glazing, and firing in wood-fired kilns. They use cohesive yellow clay, sourced from riverbank fields at depths of 50-100 centimeters. Traditional pottery products are made following these ancient processes:

• Clay preparation: Clay is mixed with water and kneaded three times for cleanliness and malleability.
• Pottery shaping: The clay is placed on a pottery wheel, where craftsmen skillfully shape it by hand.
• Drying: Shaped clay is sun-dried gradually and adjusted for balance before being fully dried.
• Firing: Pottery is fired in brick kilns with clay roofs, using wood at specific temperatures and durations until completed.

3. What to expect from a Thanh Ha Village tour?

Visitors to Thanh Ha Pottery Village in Hoi An can participate in various experiential activities and listen to fascinating stories to understand more about this traditional craft.

3.1. Insights into Thanh Ha pottery-making technique

Admire Thanh Ha artisans at work during the Hoi An pottery tour (Source: Collected)

If you have the opportunity to visit this village, you can witness the skilled pottery-shaping techniques of the village artisans. From raw clay blocks, experienced artisans transform them into artistic pottery pieces through each stage of the process: shaping on a pottery wheel, decorative painting, drying, and kiln firing. These craftsmen are not only creative and skillful but also deeply passionate, infusing their souls into each piece of clay.

3.2. Free pottery-making experience

After observing the artisans at work, you can also try your hand at making pottery. With expert guidance, you can quickly create and decorate your own piece. Although the final product might not be perfect, it reflects your effort and offers insight into the joys and challenges of pottery crafting.

3.3. Unique pottery souvenirs

Coming to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, you can admire the beautiful pottery products created by skilled artisans. You will be amazed by a diverse array of unique shapes and colors, from flower vases, bowls, tiles, and tea sets, to pottery lamps. You can also choose from a selection of small, unique pottery souvenirs here for friends and family. Notable souvenir items include models of Vietnamese architectural landmarks and Hoi An specialties, pottery masks, zodiac animal statues, and ceramic paintings.

Colorful ceramic masks make unique souvenirs that you cannot miss (Source: Collected)

3.4. Exhilarating festival

Every year, on the 10th day of the 7th lunar month, Thanh Ha Pottery Village holds a grand ancestral worship ceremony at the ancient Nam Dieu Temple, featuring many unique cultural and spiritual activities. Preserved for nearly 500 years, the highlight of the event is the procession of the pottery founders’ palanquin, aimed at expressing gratitude to the pottery founders and educating descendants about the village’s traditions. Additionally, the festival includes interesting activities such as boat racing on the Thu Bon River, tug-of-war, pottery making, and cooking rice in clay pots, which attract both locals and tourists.

4. Tourist spots for pottery enthusiasts in/near the village

Near Thanh Ha Pottery Village in Hoi An, there are several other interesting tourist spots that you can add to your perfect Hoi An itinerary.

4.1. Thanh Ha Terracotta Park

Thanh Ha Terracotta Park is a standout attraction blending red terracotta architecture amid lush greenery. This is the largest terracotta park in Vietnam, featuring nine distinct areas including pottery kilns, a craft village museum, and miniature replicas of global landmarks. For 50,000 VND per adult, visitors can check in with miniature terracotta models of world wonders like the Taj Mahal and One Pillar Pagoda and explore exhibits showcasing Vietnam’s pottery heritage, from ancient artifacts to products of renowned villages like Thanh Ha, Bat Trang, and Phu Lang.

Discover intricate miniature terracotta models of world wonders at Thanh Ha Terracotta Park (Source: Collected)

4.2. Nam Dieu Temple of the Pottery Founders

Another destination to visit near Thanh Ha Pottery Village is the Nam Dieu Temple, built in the mid-19th century, to honor pottery founders and craftsmen. The temple complex includes the Thai Giam Temple, the Pottery Ancestor Temple, and the Mountain Spirit Temple, each with a small but impressively intricate architecture. 

The temples are constructed with three compartments, featuring yin-yang roof tiles adorned with terracotta figures crafted by local artisans. It promises an unforgettable experience for both culture and architecture lovers.

5. Frequently asked questions about Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Before visiting the pottery village, here are some tips on how to get there and the best times to visit.

5.1. How to get to Thanh Ha Pottery Village Hoi An?

Below are the instructions to get to Thanh Ha Pottery Village:

• First, you need to reach Hoi An by bus, plane, private vehicle, or train.
• From Hoi An, you can rent a motorbike or bicycle to freely travel to the pottery village. Follow Hung Vuong Street to Duy Tan Street. From Duy Tan, continue for about 500 meters until you reach an intersection, and then turn left to arrive at the village.
• Due to the short distance, you can also take a taxi for a more convenient journey to the village.

5.2. What to eat on a trip to the pottery village?

Don’t miss Cao Lau, a must-try Hoi An specialty (Source: Collected)

During your journey to explore the pottery village, if you feel hungry, you can enjoy some of Hoi An’s specialties such as bun mam nem – a harmonious combination of fresh noodles, pork belly, fermented pork roll, young jackfruit, richly flavored mam nem sauce, and various aromatic herbs. Cao lau is another must-try dish with its distinctive aroma of soy sauce, shrimp, char siu pork, and soft, chewy cao lau noodles. Banh beo is a favorite snack in Hoi An with a rice flour base and a savory filling made from shrimp and pork greaves, served with a delicious dipping sauce that delights travelers.

5.3. When is the best time to visit the pottery village?

Visitors can explore Thanh Ha Pottery Village at any time of the year except during the flood season (October and November in the lunar calendar) when the river water rises and the pottery kilns cannot operate. 

The best time of the day to visit the pottery village, avoiding the scorching heat of Hoi An, is around 3 PM. You can spend about 2 hours exploring, as the pottery village closes at 5:30 PM. Alternatively, plan to visit early in the morning after 8 AM to avoid the intense midday heat. If possible, bring a handheld fan to cope with potentially hot weather as there are many pottery kilns in the village, making it feel hotter than usual.

Visiting Thanh Ha Pottery Village is a must when in Hoi An. From taking a Hoi An pottery class and shopping for beautiful, unique ceramic souvenirs to exploring the village’s rich history and scenic surroundings, these experiences promise delightful and unforgettable moments immersed in local culture for everyone.

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