Located 60 km from Ha Noi, Phu Lang Village in Que Vo District, the northern province of Bac Ninh, is one of the oldest pottery centers of the Red River Delta. Due to the recession of products made with traditional techniques, villagers are now changing to make pottery fine art ones. The change not only helps popularise rural landscape and lifestyle of Kinh Bac villagers but also contribute to local economic development.
Dated back to more than 700 years, Phu Lang pottery village was famous for simple household utensils like jars and vases traditionally made by clay.
To meet the market’s demand, local artists have started to make their products varied with decorative patterns featuring the landscapes and daily activities of Viet Nam’s rural areas.
The trade village now counts some 200 households with about 500 people producing fine art pottery, contributing some 8 billion dong (340,000 USD) to the commune’s total revenue.
Enamel and a firewood kiln are two of the secrets that help dye the village's products extraordinary dark greens and dull reds.
Phu Lang pottery is defined by the red colour and specific texture of the raw clay found in the region. But the villagers have a few extra techniques up their sleeves to make their products stand out.
Today, Phu Lang ceramics are famous in Viet Nam and overseas. Ceramics are exported in large quantities to the US, Japanese, Republic of Korean markets. The profession has improved the living standards of the villagers.
Thanks to locals’ aspiration and creativity, Phu Lang Pottery Village has been vigorously vitalised, pointing to its traditional long-standing reputation.