Language
Currency
When talking about the oldest traditional craft villages in Southeast Asia, how can we overlook Bau Truc pottery village, located in Ninh Thuan province. This place reflects the cultural imprint of the Cham people through every branch and leaf, clearly seen in the characteristic handicraft products such as pottery. When visiting, you not only have the right to admire but can also directly experience creating the finished products. If you are curious about this place, why not follow the article below with NVK travel.
Bau Truc pottery village has been featured in many reports by the Ninh Thuan provincial media to promote the unique cultural values of this place. However, to truly feel it, you should visit in person to experience everything.
Bau Truc pottery village is one of the extremely famous tourist destinations, located in Phuoc Dan town, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province (After merging, it became Ninh Phuoc commune, Khanh Hoa province). It is only about 10 kilometers south of the center of Phan Rang Thap Cham. Along with other craft villages in the province such as My Nghiep weaving and Phuoc Nhon medicine, this place has contributed to the beauty of Ninh Thuan province by preserving the unique long-standing features of the Cham people.
According to local accounts and official historical records, this craft village has existed for thousands of years, ranking among the "top" in Southeast Asia. Over the years, the dust of time has not faded the pottery-making tradition of the Cham people here.
In 2017, this site was recognized by UNESCO as a national intangible cultural heritage. By 2022, UNESCO continued to honor the pottery-making art of the Cham people here, listing it among the "heritages in urgent need of protection." To travel to the pottery village, visitors can ride a motorbike if departing from the center of Phan Rang Thap Cham, taking about 15 minutes.
>>> See more: Quoc Hoc Hue School - The Historical Beauty of European Essence
Bau Truc pottery village is located in Ninh Thuan province
When it comes to Bau Truc pottery village, anyone is impressed by its long-standing history of formation and development. In Cham language, Bau Truc is defined as "the village located in the low area at the end of the stream." According to ancient legends told by locals, a pottery ancestor named Po Klong Chanh (a minister of King Po Klong Garai), born between 1151-1205, taught the villagers how to extract clay, shape, and fire pottery. Since then, pottery has become a cultural hallmark of this place, passed down from mother to child in a matriarchal system.
Up to now, although there have been some changes with men also participating in pottery production to meet market demand, the spirit of preserving tradition remains unchanged. The main product lines created here include: household pottery, spiritual pottery, and artistic pottery.
After receiving encouragement from the provincial authorities, this place has expanded its tourism activities, helping to promote the culture and traditional pottery-making of the Cham people more widely. This not only brings economic benefits but also provides value in spreading awareness of the hard work that artisans put in to create complete pottery products.
>>> See more: Conquering Long Son Island, The Green Gem Loved by Many
Bau Truc pottery village has a history that dates back thousands of years
When searching for and looking at images of Bau Truc pottery village, you will realize that what is inseparable from this place is the exquisite handmade products. Each type of pottery carries the "soul" and effort of the artisan through its shape, while also reflecting the unique characteristics of the Cham people. What makes Bau Truc pottery "famous" is the skillful technique of "handmade, hip-turned".
During the crafting process, the artisan will move backwards, with one hand pressing and the other smoothing evenly, thus infusing each block of raw clay with its unique essence.
The pottery firing process remains unchanged from traditional methods, meaning it is still fired in the open using wood, straw, or rice husks. The temperature needs to be maintained between 500-600 degrees Celsius, after which the items will be taken out to spray a layer of color and then continue firing for two hours. At this point, the "item" will become a "finished product," a piece of pottery with a reddish-yellow, dark pink color mixed with characteristic brown-black streaks.
Depending on their inspiration, artisans will freely carve creative shapes on the pottery, while still ensuring it strongly reflects Cham culture, which cannot be found in pottery from other places.
Bau Truc pottery village impresses with its unique products
Bau Truc pottery village is not only popular domestically, but also exports products to many countries such as the USA, Italy, and Japan. When visiting here, tourists should not miss some interesting experiences as follows.
When visiting Bau Truc pottery village, the first thing tourists should do is admire the craftsmen who "breathe life" into each product through the crafting process. Most artisans in the village are women, who create pottery 100% by hand using unique foot-turning techniques, without needing an automatic wheel.
From actions like shaping and smoothing, the soul and finesse of the artisan are evident, transforming what seems to be mere lumps of clay into vibrant "artworks."
Cham artisans infuse soul into each pottery product
Not only can you watch, but tourists visiting Bau Truc pottery village can also directly experience becoming a true artisan. In designated areas for experiential activities, you can participate in shaping pottery under the enthusiastic guidance of Cham artisans.
When touching the clay and shaping it, you will understand that creating the final product requires a "world" of concentration and finesse. Artisans have long regarded the creation of these pottery products as "birthing a child," hoping that when they are born, they will be perfect and beautiful.
Directly experience shaping pottery products
Learning about the outdoor pottery firing process is also an interesting activity at Bau Truc pottery village. After being fired in the open and dried, the finished products will be stacked on top of each other and burned with straw, rice husks, or wood for a fixed amount of time. This manual firing method is actually deeply connected to the spiritual significance that the Cham people conceive. At the same time, products after drying and firing as above will have a characteristic reddish-brown color, high durability, and a beauty that is as rustic as the hearts of the artisans.
When observing this process, the craftsmen and artisans will not "hide their skills," freely sharing with you the secrets of maintaining the fire and the factors that determine the color of the products.
Witness the process of firing and drying pottery outdoors
Perhaps many tourists are wondering if they can buy the products made at Bau Truc pottery village. Of course, you can, and you can also negotiate prices for some valuable finished products.
Visit Bau Truc pottery village and purchase quality products
A trip to Bau Truc pottery village also creates opportunities to interact with the Cham people and explore the spiritual life and culture of this community. When asking about the historical stories of the pottery village and the surrounding legends, they will not hesitate to share, even talking from morning till night.
Explore Cham culture at Bau Truc pottery village
When stepping into Bau Truc pottery village, tourists need to pay special attention to some important things to enhance their experience.
Optimize your experience when visiting Bau Truc Pottery Village
Almost everything related to Bau Truc Pottery Village has been compiled and shared thoroughly in the article above. The passage of time has faded the footprints of people, the bustling city lights are like that, but the craft village still exists as if it has never been affected at all. Over the years, the cultural imprints of the Cham people remain intact, affirming a unique and "unchanging" pottery style.
When visiting Ninh Thuan tourism and wanting to stop by this place, don't forget to use the tour guide/travel service of NVK travel to gain a deeper understanding of the pottery village's culture and have the best experience.
Fill out the form and we will contact you
