If you have fallen in love with Hoi An for its simplicity and charm from ancient villages, Thanh Ha Pottery Village is an excellent choice that you should not overlook. Let's explore what this village has to offer through the detailed review below!
Located along the Thu Bon River, Thanh Ha Pottery Village is a distinctive attraction in Hoi An. With over 500 years of history, this place possesses a rustic beauty that is hard to find elsewhere. Visiting Thanh Ha Pottery Village, you will feel like you've stepped into a tranquil ancient countryside!
Thanh Ha is known as a long-standing traditional pottery village in Hoi An's ancient town. This craft village was established in the 16th century, starting from Thanh Liem village and later moved to the present-day Thanh Ha ward. The 16th and 17th centuries are considered the golden age of the pottery village, producing ceramics used for royal ceremonies.
This small and peaceful village has experienced many ups and downs. There were times when it seemed like the pottery craft here was falling into oblivion. However, thanks to the dedication and love for the craft, the artisans of the village once again revived the beauty and essence of Thanh Ha Pottery Village.
Today, Thanh Ha Pottery Village is undergoing strong transformations and has become an attractive destination for a large number of domestic and international tourists. Here, you not only learn about the traditional pottery-making process but also have the opportunity to create unique ceramic artworks with your own hands.
Address: Pham Phan, Thanh Ha, Hoi An, Quang Nam
Situated next to the peaceful Thu Bon River, Thanh Ha Pottery Village is about 3 km west of the Hoi An city center. With many rare ancient features, this pottery village is an excellent choice for those who love the long-standing cultural experience of our country.
The route to Thanh Ha Pottery Village is quite easy, about 3 km from Hoi An's ancient town. Starting from the city center, you can travel along Hung Vuong Street to Duy Tan Street. Then, continue about 500 meters, and when you reach an intersection, turn left to reach the pottery village. Along Duy Tan Street, there will be signs guiding you to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, so you don't have to worry.
There are various transportation options, depending on your preferences and economic conditions. You can choose a taxi, a technology-based motorbike taxi, or rent a motorbike. Taxi fares from Hoi An's ancient town to Thanh Ha Pottery Village range from 50,000 to 70,000 VND; motorbike rental costs from 80,000 to 100,000 VND per day.
However, according to the experience of many previous tourists, to fully enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this ancient town, it is recommended to rent a bicycle to reach Thanh Ha Pottery Village. With this method, you can enjoy nature and explore the charming streets of Hoi An. Currently, there are many bicycle rental services in Hoi An, and you can choose to rent a bike for around 50,000 VND per bike per day.
Visiting hours:
8:00 am to 5:30 pm daily
Ticket prices:
35,000 VND/adult and 15,000 VND/child
Visiting this tourist spot, you not only explore the pottery village but also have the opportunity to experience many different interesting activities. Therefore, the ticket price mentioned above includes other services such as exploring the Xuan My Communal House, the traditional craft area, or watching artisans working with ceramics. Especially, here you also have the chance to create your own unique ceramic artwork with basic guidance.
In addition, for visitors traveling by electric car to the pottery village, the entrance fee is entirely free. Also, if you travel with a group of 8 members or more, you will receive a free guided tour, which is extremely advantageous. However, Thanh Ha Pottery Village's opening hours are until 5:30 pm daily, so you need to choose a hotel near the city center for convenient travel.
Hoi An's weather is divided into two seasons: the rainy season from September to January and the dry season from February to August. Therefore, the ideal time to visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village is from February to April. During this period, Hoi An's weather is sunny and cool, providing perfect conditions for exploring the pottery village and experiencing various outdoor activities.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village in Hoi An is different from other pottery villages in the country in that all production processes are entirely handmade. If you have the opportunity to visit, you should not miss the very interesting activities in this pottery village, such as:
1. Witnessing the exquisite pottery techniques of village artisans
Clay is the main material for creating unique ceramic products here. When you visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village, you will witness the intricate process of shaping clay into beautiful forms by talented artisans. From raw clay blocks, the experienced hands of artisans in Thanh Ha Pottery Village will transform them into artistic and functional ceramic products.
You will see each stage of pottery making, from shaping clay on the potter's wheel, decorating, drying the ceramics, to firing them in the kiln. The craftsmen in Thanh Ha Pottery Village are not only creative and skillful but also passionate about their craft, putting their heart into each piece of clay.
2. Enjoying the ancient atmosphere of the 500-year-old pottery village
Thanh Ha Pottery Village is known as a centuries-old pottery park with a history of 500 years. Some documents suggest that the residents of the pottery village originated from Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh, and Hai Duong provinces. They migrated here to start a pottery business in the 15th century. If you join a guided tour, you will have the opportunity to hear an interesting introduction to the entire history of Thanh Ha Pottery Village.
Moreover, every year on the 10th day of the Lunar New Year, the villagers perform a ceremony to pray for the protection of the craft and a peaceful and prosperous new year. Therefore, if you are lucky enough to visit the pottery village during this time, you will experience additional exciting activities such as witnessing the craft parade or participating in fun traditional games like wood planing or cooking rice in bamboo tubes.
3. Creating Your Own Ceramic Masterpiece
In addition to observing the various stages of creating a ceramic product, when visiting Thanh Ha Pottery Village, you also have the opportunity to get hands-on and create your own unique pieces. You can try making common items with different shapes. Don't worry if you find it challenging, as skilled pottery artisans will be right there to guide you patiently, helping you create the most beautiful and polished products. So, if you have the chance to visit, don't miss out on this exciting experience.
4. Explore Thanh Ha Clay Park - A Miniature World of Vietnamese Pottery
This clay park in the pottery village covers an area of nearly 6000m2, making it the largest pottery park in the country. It serves as a conservation site for preserving and showcasing Thanh Ha Pottery Village's ceramic products to introduce Vietnamese pottery to tourists and international friends. Don't miss the opportunity to explore this place!
The park is divided into two separate areas: one building is known for housing ancient ceramic artifacts, and the other showcases and introduces new ceramic products. The highlight of this pottery park is its resemblance to a miniature world, featuring hundreds of beautifully crafted ceramic architectural structures such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the White House, the Pyramids of Egypt, Notre-Dame Cathedral, One Pillar Pagoda, Turtle Tower, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
5. Admire and Choose Ceramic Gifts from Thanh Ha, Hoi An for Loved Ones
It would be a shame to visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village without buying ceramic gifts for your loved ones, right? One special thing here is that every visitor to Thanh Ha Pottery Village will receive a commemorative gift in gratitude from the local residents instead of a simple thank-you. With every admission ticket, you will exchange for a souvenir, so don't miss it.
Moreover, in the village's vicinity, there are many shops selling ceramic souvenirs. If you want to buy gifts for friends after your trip, this is an excellent suggestion for you to consider.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village is only about 3km from the center of Hoi An's ancient town. Therefore, after exploring this place, don't miss the chance to visit nearby attractions such as the Silk Village of Hoi An, the ancient town, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Dien Phuong Sunflower Garden, and the Cau Eco-tourism Area.
Based on the experiences of many travelers, to fully experience the tranquility and antiquity of the village, consider the following tips:
Visiting Thanh Ha Pottery Village in Hoi An is an exciting tourism activity that you shouldn't miss if you appreciate the rustic charm and antiquity of the ancient town.