History and Background
According to the information about Bat Trang pottery village, this traditional craft village was formed during the Ly Dynasty (around the 14th - 15th centuries). When the Ly Dynasty moved the capital from Ninh Binh to Hanoi, 5 famous families in Bo Bat pottery village (Ninh Binh province) moved to live in the land along the Red River, banding together to produce ceramic.
Pottery making in Bat Trang appeared in the 14th century
By the 15th and 16th centuries, Bat Trang ceramic products were widely circulated throughout the country. In the 16th and 17th centuries, when Western European countries invaded Asia, economic and trade activities became even more vibrant. This is the most powerful period of development in the history of Bat Trang pottery village. Through merchant ships from China, Japan, Southeast Asian countries, and Western European countries, Vietnamese ceramics were brought to many other countries around the world.
After more than 500 years of history with many events, ups and downs of time, this craft village in Hanoi still exists and has developed until now.
How to Get There?
The pottery village is located in Bat Trang commune, Gia Lam district, about 10km from the city center and 40km from Noi Bai airport. Therefore, traveling and visiting the pottery village is not too difficult.
You can get here by private vehicle (motorbike, private car) or public transport.
The bus is a convenient and inexpensive way to get to Bat Trang
Travel by bus:
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Long Bien Bus Station - Bat Trang: Bus 47A
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Giap Bat Bus Station - Bach Khoa Stadium - Bat Trang: Bus 08A + Bus 47B
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Kim Ma Bus Station - 80 Tran Nhat Duat - Bat Trang: Bus 22A/Bus23 + Bus 47A
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Noi Bai International Airport - Long Bien Bus Station - Bat Trang: Bus 86 + Bus 47A
Travel by motorbike or private car:
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From the city center, you choose to head east, and cross Chuong Duong Bridge or Long Bien Bridge to get to the other side.
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When you reach the end of the bridge, turn right and walk along the dyke of the Red River to the gate of Bat Trang village.
Must-Try Activities
Wandering around Ancient Village
Coming to Bat Trang without visiting the ancient village would be a regret. Having existed for about 500 years, Bat Trang ancient village still retains its ancient features, leaving traces of ancient times such as small alleys and old mossy houses.
Discover the old beauty of Bat Trang ancient village
According to the locals' advice, the two ancient houses you must visit here are:
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Van Van ancient house: a wooden house that is more than 200 years old, is an architectural masterpiece including ceramic details, blue enamel kettles, dragon vases, ceramic stamping molds... from before the 15th century.
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Bat Trang Village Communal House: the place to worship the Tutelary God and also the venue for extremely exciting festivals all year round.
Visit Van Van ancient house
Discover The Old Massive Potter's Kiln
Another interesting destination that tourists should not miss is to visit Bat Trang's only remaining old potter’s kiln. This consists of 5 kilns and is nearly 100 years old. Previously, this kiln was used to bake ceramics manually. However, today, Bat Trang people have used modern firing techniques to avoid environmental pollution, and the ancient potter’s kiln is kept for visitors.
Explore the old massive potter’s kiln
You can get inside these old potter’s kilns and see the space where the kilns are arranged, simulating the way the kilns were arranged in the past. In addition, you will see that the bricks inside the kiln are covered with a beautiful glaze after 100 years of ceramic firing.
Visit The Workshop and Experience Pottery Making
Coming to Bat Trang pottery village, you can directly visit the factories to watch the stages of pottery making, from preparing clay to shaping, glazing and firing ceramics.
Visit the Bat Trang artisans' pottery workshop
Don’t miss the chance to create your unique ceramic piece! Many pottery workshops in Bat Trang offer hands-on experiences. You will be guided to create unique ceramic products yourself, which will then be fired and glazed. Many pottery workshops offer this interesting pottery-making service with prices ranging from only 50,000 VND - 70,000 VND for a wheel and a portion of clay.
Pottery making is an activity worth trying in Bat Trang Pottery Village
The artisans will enthusiastically guide you step by step so you can create the most beautiful works. After you have created and satisfied the product you made, you just need to put it in the furnace. After firing, you can unleash your creativity with decorative painting.
Shopping at Pottery Market
In Bat Trang ceramic village, there is a ceramic market that is an ideal shopping destination for ceramic products with many designs, styles and prices. This is a place to display and sell sophisticated ceramic products for visitors to buy as gifts.
The Pottery market is where you can find a lot of interesting and beautiful pottery products
From bowls, plates, cups, or handicrafts of all different colors. All are completed by famous artisans, you can observe the process of them creating art objects in the market courtyards. Individual items typically cost a few dollars, while high-quality porcelain sets range from 200,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND. Larger products, such as vases, can cost between 3,000,000 VND and 20,000,000 VND depending on their quality.
Explore Bat Trang Pottery Museum
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No. 28, Village 5, Bat Trang.
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Entry ticket price: 50,000 VND
Bat Trang Pottery Museum has very impressive architecture
An impressive place not to be missed in Bat Trang is the Pottery Museum. You will admire its impressive architecture. This is a fairly new construction with 7 giant spirals linked together, representing 7 soft hands rotating ceramic claws. Inside the museum displays ancient ceramic works through the ages and there is a space where you can make pottery.
A corner displaying pottery products inside the museum
Want to explore further? Check out our post about old villages in Hanoi.
Bat Trang Pottery Village is the perfect spot to immerse yourself in the rich culture of craft villages in Hanoi. You'll undoubtedly have an amazing experience here! If you need more information about destinations and Vietnam itineraries, feel free to reach out to NEW's team for support.
