Buzz
'After bustling days in the capital of Hanoi, Bat Trang gave me a completely different feeling, very serene, deserted, and incredibly impressive.' These were the words shared by travel blogger Stephanie about the ancient Bat Trang ceramic village in Hanoi.
Bat Trang - Vietnam's Premier Ceramic Brand
The village, just a few hundred meters from the gentle Red River, is adorned with numerous life-sized white statues scattered in front of stone houses, with wide-open door frames seemingly inviting the world in.
I learned about the history of Bat Trang from Dang, my tour guide, as we strolled along the village's riverside path. Centuries ago, people discovered abundant deposits of white clay here, leading to the development of a large village centered around ceramic production. Thus, the renowned Bat Trang Ceramic brand was established, with products exported across Asia and Europe. Today, it stands as one of the most famous ceramic regions in Vietnam.
Impressed by the Process of Crafting Ceramic Masterpieces
Exploring the Traditional Ceramic Village of Bat Trang in Hanoi
As our story neared its end, we arrived at a small house. Dang casually opened the door and uttered something in Vietnamese. There was no response, and Dang explained to me that most people usually head home to rest, avoiding the midday heat. We proceeded to the adjacent house. Inside, the room was cluttered with large pots, bins filled with loose clay, and the flickering red light of a charcoal stove, with sunlight streaming through a small window.
The man inside joyfully showed us the stages of creating a pot: how the loose clay forms a mixture, then poured into molds, and finally dried and fired into a product.
Upstairs, we found a storage room with a variety of products, from vases, pedestals, to molds... They may still be plain white, or they are being painted by skilled artisans with intricate designs: peacocks, landscapes, treacherous mountains, and clouds. Some products have been painted and are waiting to be placed in the kiln, where they will be fired for 3 days before completion.
In this photo is a very young girl sitting on a chair and painting a nearly 2-meter-tall pot. I was mesmerized watching her graceful brushstrokes. Delicate and elegant patterns gradually appeared on the white pot. I wanted to ask her many things but hesitated not to disturb her work. Dang quietly said something to her in Vietnamese. She continued her work, nodding her head and keeping her eyes on her brush while answering me.
She recounted studying painting at a university in Hanoi and decided to specialize in lacquerware pottery. I asked her how she knew what to paint. Many artists use the same patterns, she replied, but after years of painting, she can come up with some ideas, and she showed me some patterns and motifs she had drawn.
The Perfect Place to Score Beautiful and Affordable Pottery
Later, we strolled into another room, where finished products were displayed for sale. 'How much do you think each of these pots will cost?' Dang asked. I hardly knew anything about pottery, but judging from its size and intricate patterns, I guessed they would cost between 500 and 600 dollars. Dang nodded and explained the costs involved. 'But you can get them in Bat Trang without having to go to a store, for under 100 dollars,' Dang chuckled at me.
We also stopped by a workshop specializing in smaller pottery items. Outside, the courtyard was filled with numerous unfinished ceramic pieces. Inside the house, three women were chatting and happily working. There were thousands of tea sets, vases, and animal figurines stacked on shelves. Everything was so packed that there was just enough space for me and my backpack to squeeze through.
Bat Trang is also a popular destination on a day trip from Hanoi, but very few foreigners come here. In fact, I was the only foreigner there. Most Hanoians visit Bat Trang to buy gifts, plates, bowls, or decorative items rather than purchasing them at markets in the city.
I also managed to snag the most exquisite and beautiful tea set for under 20 dollars! Then I bargained for a green tea set with a bamboo tray - a gift for my brother and his fiancée. Towards the end of the day, Dang and I wandered through the main alley of the village, amidst dark and narrow brick walls, beside closed and bolted houses. Large blocks of black coal lined the walls. Dang explained that instead of wasting coal after it had been burned, villagers used it to reinforce and repair houses and walls in the village.
Bat Trang is located about 13 km from Hanoi, and you can take a bus or easily rent a car and a guide from one of the travel companies in Hanoi.
As per Myseveralworlds
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Reference: Travel handbook from Mytour
MytourJuly 15, 2014
