1. About Phuoc Tich Pottery Village
Phuoc Tich Pottery Village is in Phuoc Phu Village, Phong Hoa Commune, Phong Dien District, Thua Thien Hue Province. The village has a special shape, resembling a wine jar or a horseshoe, as it is embraced by the O Lau River, which forms the natural border between Thua Thien Hue and Quang Tri Provinces.
Phuoc Tich Pottery Village was established in 1470, under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong of the Le Dynasty. The founder of the village is Hoang Minh Hung, who chose this land as a fertile and prosperous place to establish a career and develop the pottery profession. The village was originally named Phuc Giang, meaning “lucky river”. Later it was renamed Hoang Giang to honor the Hoang family that founded the village. Finally, in 1802, King Gia Long of the Nguyen Dynasty gave the village its current name, Phuoc Tich, meaning “accumulated blessings”.
2. History and preservation process of Phuoc Tich Pottery Village
Phuoc Tich Pottery Village has a long history of pottery making, more than 500 years ago. The craft village used to be a famous ceramic production and trading center, supplying products throughout the Central provinces and even exporting to foreign markets. Phuoc Tich’s ceramic products are made from clay and fired using traditional methods, using wood and rice husks as fuel. The product stands out for its durability, simplicity, and elegance with typical colors such as brown, yellow, green, and black.
Phuoc Tich pottery is passed down from generation to generation, preserving ancient techniques and styles. The village has been recognized as a national historical and cultural relic and receives support and funding from many different sources to preserve and promote its pottery tradition.
3. The process of creating ceramic products at Phuoc Tich Pottery Village
The process of creating ceramic products at Phuoc Tich Pottery Village is quite complex and meticulous, requiring a lot of skill and experience. The main steps are as follows:
Collection and preparation of clay: Clay is gathered from river banks and soaked in water to remove impurities and air bubbles.
Shaping and decoration: Artisans mold the clay into various forms using tools like molds, wheels, and spatulas. They decorate the products with motifs using a technique.
Drying: The shaped products are dried under the sun for about a week until they become hard and firm.
Glazing: Products are glazed with natural materials like iron oxide or copper oxide to achieve colors such as brown, yellow, green, or black. Glaze is applied through dipping, brushing, or spraying.
Firing: The products are fired in kilns made of bricks and clay for approximately 24 hours, reaching temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees Celsius. The firing process, controlled by air vents, is crucial for determining the quality of the final products.
4. What to see at Phuoc Tich Pottery Village?
4.1. See firsthand the artists making ceramics
One of the most fascinating things to do at Phuoc Tich Pottery Village is to watch the artisans at work, and their skill and talent. You can observe how they shape, decorate, glaze, and fire the pottery products, and learn about the techniques and secrets of their craft.
4.2. Admire exquisite ceramic products
Another thing to do at Phuoc Tich Pottery Village is to admire the exquisite ceramic products that are displayed and sold at the village. You can find a variety of products, such as pots, jars, bowls, plates, vases, cups, teapots, etc., with different shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. You can also see some rare and antique products, such as the “Phuoc” jar, which is a symbol of the village, or the “Tho” jar, which is used to store rice and wine. The ceramic products of Phuoc Tich are not only beautiful and useful but also meaningful and valuable, as they reflect the village’s culture and history.
4.3. Learn how to make pottery
If you want to have a more hands-on and fun experience at Phuoc Tich Pottery Village, you can also learn how to make pottery yourself. You can join a pottery class, where you will be guided by a friendly and experienced artisan, who will teach you the basic steps and skills of pottery making. You can choose the type and shape of the product you want to make, and use the tools and materials provided by the class. You can also express your creativity and personality by decorating and glazing your product as you like. At the end of the class, you can take your product home as a souvenir.
4. Tips for sightseeing at Phuoc Tich Pottery Village
4.1. When should you visit the Pottery Village?
The best time to visit Phuoc Tich Pottery Village is in the dry season, from February to August, when the weather is sunny and pleasant, and the river is calm and clear. You can also visit the village during some festivals and events, such as the Lunar New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, or the Pottery Festival, which are held annually to celebrate and honor the village’s tradition and culture. During these occasions, you can enjoy the festive atmosphere, the colorful decorations, the lively performances, and the delicious food.
4.2. Ticket prices and opening hours
There is no entrance fee to visit Phuoc Tich Pottery Village, and you can visit the village at any time of the day. However, if you want to join a pottery class, you will have to pay a fee, which varies depending on the type and duration of the class. You can also buy pottery products from the village, which range from 10,000 VND, depending on the size and quality of the product.
