Bat Trang - Land of Traditional Values

Lying in the outskirts of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, Bat Trang mainly lives on traditional ceramic production. Bat Trang village is said to be established in 14th or 15th century in several documents. Many tributes to the Chinese Ming Dynasty were Bat Trang potteries.The Bat Trang pottery industry reached its feudal prime time in the 16^th and 17^th centuries. Many worshiping objects at that time are now found in pagodas, temples and communal houses.

In the modern time, Bat Trang villagers are developing their traditional career with new techniques. Ms Lan, the owner of Hoa Lan pottery production unit at 81 Bat Trang Road, said more than 90 per cent of households are living on ceramic production in which some 75 per cent are directly involved in manufacturing processes. Clays are imported from Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, Soc Son and Vinh Phuc to Quang Ninh. Quality and colours of products are made from experience of each household.

 

In addition to traditional products with smooth enamels, Bat Trang partisans are now making “broken enamel” potteries. Bat Trang products are now being diversified and their export value is high. Presently, its items have made present in many demanding nations like Japan, the United States, Spain, France and Germany. Ms Van, Director of Toan Pottery Company, said: Although her company is small, it has many orders from many nations in the world. Sometimes, her company cannot satisfy all orders. In 2008, despite common economic difficulties, her company still made revenues of over USUS$100,000.

 

The soul of Bat Trang is the partisans who have made the uniqueness of Bat Trang potteries. Lan said some 50 per cent of ceramic production households have rich experience. Nowadays, Bat Trang has very famous artists like Tran Van Giang, Nguyen Van Con and Le Van Cam. Some are very experienced in enamels, some are famous about shapes and others are excellent at drawing. A unit usually makes a few key items but the large number of production units makes diversified.

 

Although the market has many types of potteries of high quality, Bat Trang villagers are proud of and confident about their products. They always believe that industrial products cannot replace natural beauty of traditional handicrafts. Mr Nguyen Van Ao, Chairman of Bat Trang Commune People’s Committee, said: “The pottery was almost fallen into oblivion. A few decades ago, the village only had a few production units which made low-quality items like bowls and teapots. To have the current vitality, Bat Trang villagers have a strong love for their traditional handicraft career in addition to their delicacy. Their love enables them to work with the greatest effort and creativity.