Ancient Pottery Village of Phuoc Tich

Located near the O Lau River in Phong Hoa Commune, Phong Dien District, Thua Thien-Hue Province, Phuoc Tich Village is famous nationwide for the craft of making pottery. The village was established over 500 years ago in the 15th century under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong (1460-1497) with the initial name of Dong Quyet and subsequently renamed Phuoc Tich during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945).

Making pottery products at the village’s festival.

Visiting the village, tourists have a chance to behold not only various pottery wares and beautiful landscape but also 37 ancient wooden houses which were built with a typical architectural style of three compartments and two lean-tos, an ancient gate, two rows of green tea bushes and a brick-covered courtyard. Each house is closely attached to the history of a family which still preserves some antiques and heirlooms made of ceramic or wood from many centuries ago.

Phuoc Tich pottery products, including small jars, pots, lime-pots, flower vases, plates, cookers, etc., have a dark red colour of baked clay, which have been used mainly by Hue families. Some pottery wares of Phuoc Tich Village were used by kings in the Nguyen Dynasty, such as pots to cook rice, etc.

An old kiln in the village.

Between 1989 and 1995, the pottery craft of Phuoc Tich seemed to come to a standstill. However, after Festivals Hue 2006 and 2008, the craft has gradually been restored. In 2006-2007, the authority of Phong Hoa Commune and Phong Dien District invested in restoring the craft. The Francophonie in Walomine, Belgium is coordinating with the Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts to give support to building kilns that produce heat up to 1,400-1,5000C to help preserve and develop the craft.

Every year Phuoc Tich villagers jubilantly hold the festival to honour their craft making ancestors on November 5 of the lunar calendar at Doi Temple. With its unique value in terms of architecture and traditional craft, Phuoc Tich Village was ranked by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national relic.

(Source: Vietnam Pictorial)

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