Ninh Thuan, a land of sunshine and wind, is not only famous for its pristine beaches and vast sand dunes but also hides a unique cultural treasure of the Cham people. In the heart of Ninh Thuan, Bau Truc pottery village emerges like a precious gem, preserving unique traditional values and offering visitors the opportunity to experience meaningful mountain community life. Coming to Bau Truc, you will not only admire exquisite pottery products but also immerse yourself in the simple life, rich in Cham cultural identity, an unforgettable mountain community tourism experience.
Bau Truc – An Ancient Cham Village in Ninh Thuan
Bau Truc village, one of the oldest surviving Cham villages, nestles beside the gentle Quao River, in Phuoc Dan town, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province. This place is known as a “living museum” of Cham culture with a traditional pottery craft that has existed for hundreds of years, recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Coming to Bau Truc, visitors feel like stepping into another world, where time seems to slow down. Simple stilt houses, winding small dirt roads, and the gentle faces of local people create a peaceful, mountainous rural picture. Unlike the image of high mountains with dangerous terrain, the mountain community living experience in Bau Truc brings a different, closer, and warmer feeling. Here, the mountains are not high, the hills are not steep, but enough to create a separate cultural space where the Cham community preserves and promotes the traditional values of their nation.
Community Center – The Cultural “Heart” of Bau Truc
On October 18th, a special event took place in Bau Truc, marking an important milestone in the preservation and promotion of Cham culture: the inauguration ceremony of the Bau Truc village Cham Community Center. The project was built with the sponsorship of ONGC VIDESH LIMITED (India) and the coordination of the Ninh Thuan Provincial People’s Committee, demonstrating a deep concern for the spiritual and cultural life of ethnic minority communities in Vietnam.
Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma speaking at the inauguration of the Bau Truc Cham Community Center, emphasizing cultural cooperation between Vietnam and India
The Bau Truc Community Center is not just a spacious architectural work but also a symbol of community solidarity, a place to converge and spread traditional cultural values. With diverse items such as a community center combined with an exhibition area, residential area, internal roads, ceremonial yard, and auxiliary works, this center fully meets the cultural and religious needs of local people. This will be a place to organize traditional festivals, community activities, Cham language classes, display pottery products and cultural artifacts, contributing significantly to the preservation and promotion of the unique Cham cultural identity.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Ambassador of the Republic of India to Vietnam, Mr. Pranay Verma, emphasized the significance of the project in promoting cultural exchange between Vietnam and India, and affirmed India’s commitment to supporting Vietnam in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values. The Vice Chairman of Ninh Thuan Provincial People’s Committee, Mr. Le Van Binh, expressed his deep gratitude for the valuable support from India and affirmed that the Bau Truc Community Center will be an important cultural destination, contributing to the development of community tourism in the locality.
Delegates cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the Bau Truc Cham Community Center, a symbol of cooperation and cultural development
Bau Truc Community Living Experience: More Than Just a Trip
Coming to Bau Truc, visitors not only simply sightsee but also have the opportunity to deeply experience the cultural life of the Cham community. This is the special and attractive point of mountain community tourism in Bau Truc, where visitors can “slow down”, immerse themselves in the simple rhythm of life, and discover unique cultural values.
Participate in the Kate Festival – Immerse Yourself in the Sacred Cultural Space
If you have the opportunity to come to Bau Truc around October (Gregorian calendar), visitors will witness the bustling atmosphere of the Kate Festival, the largest and most important festival of the Cham people who follow Brahmanism. The Kate Festival is an opportunity to commemorate gods, pray for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and a happy and prosperous life. Participating in the festival, visitors will admire unique traditional rituals, enjoy unique Cham dances and songs, and feel the sacred and solemn atmosphere of the festival. This is an invaluable mountain cultural experience, helping visitors deeply understand the spiritual life and beliefs of the Cham people.
Discover Traditional Pottery – The “Soul” of Bau Truc
Bau Truc pottery is one of the oldest traditional crafts in Southeast Asia, famous for its unique hand-molding pottery technique without using a turntable. Coming to Bau Truc, visitors will witness firsthand the meticulous handmade pottery process, from selecting soil, kneading, shaping, drying to firing pottery. Visitors can participate in pottery making stages under the guidance of skilled artisans, and create their own pottery products with personal imprints. This is not only an interesting experience but also a way for visitors to understand and appreciate the value of traditional crafts, a part of the “soul” of Bau Truc.
Enjoy Cham Cuisine – Unique Flavors of the Sunny and Windy Land
Cham cuisine is an indispensable part of the mountain community living experience in Bau Truc. Cham dishes are imbued with the unique flavors of the sunny and windy land, prepared from natural, fresh ingredients. Visitors can enjoy specialties such as grilled chicken rice, Banh Can, Banh Xeo, Goi Ca Mai (Mai fish salad), goat curry… at local eateries or right at the homes of local people. In particular, the experience of eating a family meal with Cham people will be a great opportunity for visitors to learn about culinary culture, customs, and the hospitality of local people.
Cultural Exchange – Connecting Hearts with Local People
The mountain community living experience in Bau Truc does not only stop at sightseeing and exploring but is also an opportunity for visitors to exchange culture, connecting hearts with local people. Visitors can chat with local people, learn about their lives, culture, customs, and participate in daily activities such as farming, weaving, pottery making… The openness, friendliness, and hospitality of the Cham people will surely leave a deep impression on visitors, creating unforgettable memories of a land rich in cultural identity.
Bau Truc Cham Community Center, a new destination for cultural activities and community tourism
Inauguration of Bau Truc Community Center – A New Milestone for Culture and Tourism
The Bau Truc village Cham Community Center coming into operation is not only a great joy for local people but also a positive sign for the development of community tourism in Ninh Thuan. With spacious and modern facilities, this center promises to become an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists, contributing to promoting unique Cham culture and attracting investment in local tourism.
Mountain community tourism in Bau Truc is increasingly being interested in and developed, bringing visitors authentic, meaningful, and sustainable travel experiences. Coming to Bau Truc, you not only discover the beauty of nature and culture but also contribute to the preservation and promotion of the traditional values of the Cham community, while experiencing a responsible form of tourism that benefits both visitors and the local community.
Come to Bau Truc to discover and experience unique mountain community life, to feel the peace, warmth, and beauty of Cham culture, you will surely have a memorable and meaningful journey in this sunny and windy land of Ninh Thuan.