On the left bank of Hong river and about 10 km from Hanoi in East (in Gia

Lam District, Hanoi), there situated a pottery village, which is the most
famous and long-standing pottery village in Vietnam for its name of Bat
Trang. Up to present, Ba Trang Pottery Village has still been operating and
developing ceaselessly. According to a legend, the village was first called as Bach
Tho Phuong before its name was changed into Bat Trang Phuong. People in the
village remember in their memory that the place of their origin Bo Bat Village (or
called Bach Bat Village), Yen Mo District, Ninh Binh Province.

People cannot help talking about Bat Trang, when they discuss about pottery of
Vietnam. According to some archaeological documents, plenty of pottery items has
been discovered at many old relics and monuments built in Ly Dynasty. Sir Nguyen
Trai, a great politician, strategist, diplomat and poet, wrote in his Du Dia Chi Book at
the beginning of Le Dynasty that Bat Trang used to provide 70 sets of bowls and
plates as tribute paid for China. This fact proves that pottery items were very
sophisticated in the past. At present, pagodas and temples in Vietnam still have
carefully-carved incense burners and lamp stands, which were made in the 16th
century (for example Boi Khe Pagoda in Ha Tay Province).

Besides, some materials indicate that Bat Trang pottery items appeared in 16th and
17th centuries. Based ourselves on that information, we estimate that Bat Trang
Pottery Village was founded as a handicraft village at the edge of Thang Long City
more than 500 years ago. Bat Trang pottery items have been circulated nationwide
as well as in many foreign countries. Of which, the most precious pottery items,
which have been famous in Vietnam and in the world, are pottery items with gem
enamel (in Ly and Tran Dynasties), pottery items with brown enamel (by the end of
Tran Dynasty and at the beginning of Le Dynasty), pottery items with crazed enamel
(in Le-Trinh Dynasty) and pottery items with deep blue flowered enamel (by the end
of Le Dynasty and at the beginning of Nguyen Dynasty). In the past centuries, Bat
Trang pottery items were considered as high-ranking, precious and rare ones. In
order to satisfy the demand of the market, Bat Trang Pottery Village makes many
family use items from baked clay. Besides, plenty of pottery items with various kinds
and designs make us admire the skill of craftsmen in Bat Trang Pottery Village,
where there are people who make soil and fire change into gem enamel for life.

Home Decoration
Home Accessories
Flower pot
Art Ceramics
Ceramics Gift
Terracotta (đất nung, đồ sành)

lacquer: sơn mài

glaze: men gốm - e’namel crazed: vân rạn
clay: đất sét - china/porcelain clay