Hoi An is not only famous for its ancient streets and moss-covered tiled roofs but also captivates visitors with its unique traditional cultural beauty. Among them, Thanh Ha Pottery Village is like a precious gem, preserving the soul of the pottery craft that has existed for hundreds of years. Coming to the pottery village, you will not only admire exquisite pottery products but also immerse yourself in the deeply Vietnamese cultural space, experiencing the unique manual pottery making process. Let’s explore Thanh Ha Pottery Village and pocket the most useful travel experiences in the article below.
Explore the History of Thanh Ha Pottery Village
Thanh Ha Pottery Village is not only an attractive tourist destination but also a living museum of Vietnamese pottery history and culture. Formed in the 16th century, Thanh Ha Pottery Village originated from Thanh Chiem pottery workers. Over 500 years of development, the pottery village has become one of the most famous pottery villages in the country, contributing to the unique cultural identity of Hoi An.
The long history of Thanh Ha pottery village
During its heyday in the 16th – 17th centuries, Thanh Ha pottery was considered a “national product,” not only serving domestic needs but also being exported to many countries around the world. Thanh Ha pottery products are famous for their high durability and diverse designs, ranging from familiar household items such as bowls, plates, dishes, and vases to architectural products such as bricks, tiles, and decorative statues. Up to now, despite many historical changes, Thanh Ha Pottery Village still retains its traditional beauty, continuing to produce pottery products imbued with Vietnamese cultural imprints.
Where is Thanh Ha Pottery Village?
Thanh Ha Pottery Village Address
Thanh Ha Pottery Village is located in Thanh Ha ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province. The village is situated right on the bank of the gentle Thu Bon River, about 3km west of Hoi An ancient town center. With its convenient location, visitors can easily travel to the pottery village by various means of transport.
Directions to Thanh Ha Pottery Village
The way to Thanh Ha Pottery Village is quite easy and convenient. From the center of Hoi An ancient town, you can follow Hung Vuong street, then turn into Duy Tan street. Continue straight for about 500m, turn left at the intersection and go a short distance to reach Thanh Ha Pottery Village. On the way, you will also see signs directing you to the pottery village, making it easy to navigate.
Transportation to Thanh Ha Pottery Village
There are many means of transport for you to choose to get to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, depending on your preferences and personal conditions:
- Motorbike, car: If you want to be proactive about time and schedule, motorbike or car is a suitable choice. You can rent a motorbike or car in Hoi An and drive to the pottery village yourself. The road is quite easy and there are many parking spots at the pottery village.
- Bicycle: Bicycle is an ideal means for you to both explore Hoi An ancient town and travel to Thanh Ha Pottery Village. You can rent a bicycle at hotels or bicycle rental shops in Hoi An. The distance from the ancient town to the pottery village is not too far, you can cycle and admire the surrounding scenery.
- Taxi, motorbike taxi: If you don’t want to drive yourself, taxi or motorbike taxi is a convenient option. You can easily catch a taxi or motorbike taxi anywhere in Hoi An to get to Thanh Ha Pottery Village.
- Boat: A unique experience to get to Thanh Ha Pottery Village is by boat on the Thu Bon River. You can rent a boat at Hoi An wharf and enjoy the poetic river scenery on the way to the pottery village.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village Entrance Fee
The current entrance fee to Thanh Ha Pottery Village is VND 35,000/adult and VND 15,000/child. With this ticket price, you will not only visit the pottery village but also experience many other interesting activities such as:
- Visiting pottery workshops, watching artisans perform skillful pottery techniques.
- Visiting the Thanh Ha pottery product showroom.
- Visiting Thanh Ha Terracotta Park.
- Trying your hand at making pottery under the guidance of artisans.
- Visiting historical relics in the village such as Xuan My Communal House, the ancestral temple of the craft.
Entrance fee to Thanh Ha Pottery Village
If you go in a large group (from 8 people or more), you will get a free tour guide. In addition, if you choose to travel by electric car to the pottery village, you will also get free entrance tickets. Thanh Ha Pottery Village is open to visitors from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily.
Must-Try Experiences in Thanh Ha Pottery Village
Coming to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, you will have the opportunity to discover and experience many unique cultural activities, bearing the imprint of a traditional craft village:
Admire the Skillful Pottery Wheel Techniques
One of the most attractive activities in Thanh Ha Pottery Village is to witness artisans performing skillful pottery wheel techniques firsthand. You will be surprised and admire the skillful hands of the artisans, turning inanimate clay blocks into exquisite and beautiful pottery products.
Witnessing the skillful pottery wheel techniques of artisans
To create a complete pottery product, artisans must go through many meticulous and elaborate stages, from selecting clay, processing clay, shaping, firing pottery to decorating products. Each stage requires the skill, meticulousness and experience of the craftsman. Therefore, each Thanh Ha pottery product is not only an ordinary item but also a work of art, containing the enthusiasm and love for the profession of the artisan.
Make Pottery Yourself
Not only watching artisans make pottery, you also have the opportunity to experience the pottery making process yourself under the enthusiastic guidance of artisans. This is an extremely interesting and meaningful experience, helping you better understand the traditional manual pottery making process and feel the meticulousness of the pottery craft.
Trying to make pottery yourself at Thanh Ha Pottery Village
You will be guided on how to knead clay, shape products on a turntable, draw decorative patterns and fire pottery. Although the product you make may not be perfect, it will certainly be a memorable souvenir in your visit to Thanh Ha Pottery Village.
Visit Terracotta Park
Thanh Ha Terracotta Park is a must-visit destination when coming to the pottery village. With an area of nearly 6000m2, Terracotta Park is a place to display and introduce unique pottery artworks, bearing the cultural imprints of Vietnam and the world.
Thanh Ha Terracotta Park showcasing pottery artworks
The park is divided into two main areas: the upside-down house area and the right-side-up house area. The upside-down house area is where ancient pottery artifacts are displayed, recreating the development history of Thanh Ha Pottery Village. The right-side-up house area is where contemporary pottery works are displayed, including world-famous architectural works made of pottery such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pyramids, the White House, One Pillar Pagoda, Turtle Tower… Coming to Terracotta Park, you will admire a miniature pottery world that is impressive and unique.
Explore the Traditional Craft Village Space
Thanh Ha Pottery Village not only attracts tourists with its unique pottery products but also with its peaceful traditional craft village space imbued with Vietnamese culture. Coming to the pottery village, you will immerse yourself in the green space of gardens, winding small roads, ancient houses and traditional pottery workshops.
You can stroll around the village, admire the daily life of the pottery villagers, learn about the customs and unique cultural features of the craft village. In particular, if you come to the pottery village on the 10th day of the first lunar month, you will have the opportunity to participate in the ancestral craft worshiping festival, a unique traditional culture of Thanh Ha Pottery Village.
Shopping for Pottery Souvenirs
Before leaving Thanh Ha Pottery Village, don’t forget to visit the souvenir pottery shops to choose meaningful gifts for yourself and your loved ones. Here, you can find a variety of Thanh Ha pottery products with many designs, styles and prices, from small and pretty household items to unique works of art.
Souvenir pottery for sale at Thanh Ha Pottery Village
Shopping for Thanh Ha pottery is not only a way for you to own unique souvenirs but also a way to support and contribute to maintaining the traditional craft village of Vietnam.
Accommodation near Thanh Ha Pottery Village
For convenience in visiting Thanh Ha Pottery Village and other tourist attractions in Hoi An, you can choose to stay at hotels and resorts near the pottery village or in the Hoi An ancient town area. Below are some suggestions for quality accommodation in Hoi An:
- ÊMM Hotel Hoi An: 4-star hotel with green space, modern amenities, near the ancient town center and famous tourist attractions.
- Belle Maison Hadana Hoi An Resort & Spa: 4-star resort with Vietnamese village style, peaceful and relaxing, near Cua Dai beach and Hoi An ancient town.
Belle Maison Hadana Hoi An Resort & Spa – Mid-range accommodation option
- Anantara Hoi An Resort: 5-star luxury and classy resort, located on the banks of the Thu Bon River, offering a wonderful resort space.
- Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An: 5-star resort with large scale, integrating many entertainment facilities, suitable for families and groups of friends.
- Vinpearl Resort & Spa Hoi An: 5-star resort with unique architecture, private and classy space, near Cua Dai beach and Hoi An ancient town.
Conclusion
Thanh Ha Pottery Village is an attractive cultural tourist destination, bringing visitors unique and meaningful experiences about the traditional pottery craft of Vietnam. With the detailed travel guide above, hopefully you will have a truly complete and memorable trip to explore Thanh Ha Pottery Village. Don’t forget to take the time to visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village when you come to Hoi An!