Recently, more and more young Hanoians have spent their weekends making pottery in Bat Trang -- a 500-year-old pottery village in northern Vietnam.

Around 15 kilometers from the heart of Hanoi, Bat Trang Pottery Village has maintained its precious ceramic glaze despite many ups and downs.

Turning itself into a tourist spot is the way the village promotes the traditional craft.

The 50-square-meter space on the ground floor of Bat Trang Pottery Museum is a venue where young people create their own pottery items by hand with clay and a potter’s wheel.

A visitor shapes his work with a potter’s wheel. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre 

There, visitors are instructed to make a simple pottery cup by hand. The experience allows them to show their creativity.

Viet Anh from Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi often takes his kids to public amusement venues on the weekend since the COVID-19 pandemic was brought under control, as he wants them to have more knowledge and experience of the capital city’s culture.

“I visited Bat Trang before and tried making pottery items when I was a student,” he said. “Therefore, I take my kids here to help them know more about pottery artisans and know how bowls and cups are made."

“This is really an ideal place to hang out with friends,” said Nguyen Luong Dung, another visitor.

“Everyone often makes bowls or cups, but I made a small item in the shape of a skull.”

Nguyen Luong Dung, a visitor, makes an item in shape of a skull. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre

Meanwhile, Nguyen Ha Khoa visited Bat Trang for the first time despite living near the village.

“Although the pottery item I made is not really nice, I had an interesting experience with my friends,” Khoa said.

Doan Hai Minh, 19, also a visitor to Bat Trang, said, “As I am a freshman, I want to get closer with my friends at university through the activity. I want to know more about the craft as well.”

Quach Thi Thuy in Hoang Mai District, Hanoi said after trying making pottery, she greatly admires the artisans.

Aside from making pottery, visitors can learn about the village’s history as well as enjoy a cup of tea while admiring sunset by the Bac Hung Hai River.

Families take their kids to Bat Trang Pottery Village in Hanoi to experience making pottery items. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre

Visitors have a joyful time in Bat Trang. Photo: Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre

Pottery products made by visitors are dried using heat. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre 

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Vuong Anh - Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre News