How to

Explore the unique and meaningful Thanh Ha pottery village festival

Join us on a fascinating journey to discover the unique and captivating Thanh Ha pottery village festival, which attracts thousands of tourists from both Vietnam and around the world every year.

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21 December, 2023

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The Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival is a traditional cultural activity that contributes to preserving and promoting the unique craft village to the public. Let’s explore and learn more about the unique and meaningful Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival through the following article!

1 About Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival

Origin of Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival

Thanh Ha Pottery Village is an ancient traditional craft village with a history of over 500 years in Hoi An. It was originally established in 1516 in Thanh Chiem Village and later relocated to Nam Dieu Village (present-day Thanh Ha Ward).

The golden age of Thanh Ha Pottery Village was in the 17th and 18th centuries. The pottery products of the village were used by everyone, such as curved roof tiles, red bricks for ancient houses in Hoi An, pots, jars, vases, teapots, all of which were handmade from clay from the Thu Bon River.

Meaning of Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival

The Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival, also known as the Pottery Craft Ancestors’ Memorial Festival, is held to express gratitude and honor the ancestors who passed down the pottery profession and built the pottery village for future generations. It also aims to remind the younger generations to preserve and promote this beautiful tradition and pray for a prosperous and happy life.

2 Rituals of Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival

Ritual of the procession in Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival

The festival takes place on the 9th and 10th day of the 7th lunar month (usually in August). The highlight of the event is the procession of the pottery craft ancestors’ memorial from the Lum Ba Dang Temple to the Nam Dieu Temple, attracting the participation of many people. The procession features lion and dragon dances, traditional music performances, and various ceremonial objects, taking place throughout the streets. After that, at the Nam Dieu Temple, the residents of Thanh Ha Pottery Village prepare a tray of offerings and present the first pottery piece to express gratitude to the ancestors and pray for a prosperous new year.

3 Exciting Activities during Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival

Participating in traditional and lively games

Participating in traditional and lively games

One of the essential activities that contribute to the success and significance of the Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival is the participation in lively and exciting games that both locals and tourists can join. Here, you can witness remarkable performances by skilled craftsmen in competitions such as clay modeling, pottery shaping, and the highlight, the boat race on the Thu Bon River. Additionally, visitors can also participate in traditional folk games such as pot-breaking, tug of war, cooking in clay pots, and singing Bai Choi, which are incredibly unique and interesting.

Creative Hands-on Pottery Making

Visitors hands-on pottery making

When visiting Thanh Ha Pottery Village, you will have unforgettable and wonderful experiences as you can create your own pottery products. Through the dedicated guidance of talented craftsmen, you can freely unleash your creativity and make your favorite pottery items. After completing your creations, you can take them home as souvenirs!

Observing the Skillful Pottery Making Process

Observing the skillful pottery making process

Clay is the main material for creating pottery in Thanh Ha Village. From a raw clay block, it goes through many skillful stages performed by craftsmen to form beautiful and artistic pottery products. When you visit the village, you will have the opportunity to witness the entire process of pottery making, which will definitely impress you with the artisans’ professionalism and their ability to turn a simple clay block into unique and beautiful artworks.

Buying Meaningful Souvenirs

Buying meaningful souvenirs

When visiting Thanh Ha Pottery Village, you will be pleasantly surprised by the hospitality of the locals. They will give each visitor a small gift as a token of deep gratitude. Moreover, you can find a wide range of beautiful pottery products as souvenirs for your loved ones and friends at the village’s exhibition area.

4 Tips for Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival

Tips for Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival

The Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival takes place for 2 days, specifically on the 9th and 10th day of the 7th lunar month each year. It consists of two main parts, the ceremony and the festival.

Ceremony: On the afternoon of the 9th day, traditional rituals are held. In the early morning of the 10th day, the procession of the pottery craft ancestors’ memorial takes place from the Lum Ba Dang Temple to the Nam Dieu Temple. Following that, at 9 am, the ceremony is conducted according to the rituals.

Festival: There are various entertaining activities, competitions, and performances between individuals and organizations, such as pottery shaping, pottery crafting, pottery exhibition, clay modeling, cooking in clay pots, and the boat race on the Thu Bon River. All of these activities take place on the 10th day of the 7th lunar month.

After the ceremony and festival, the organizers will present awards to outstanding participants in the competitions.

The Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival is a unique and meaningful cultural event that attracts thousands of visitors from both domestic and international destinations. Don’t hesitate to pack your bags and explore this extraordinary festival!