Nguyễn Minh Quang making a vase. Photo phunuvietnam.vn

HÀ NỘI — In Bát Tràng Traditional Pottery Village, a growing number of young people who have studied at universities in the city are returning to their home village to continue their ancestors' craft. With the knowledge and creativity of youth, they are breathing new life into the traditional pottery trade.

Nguyễn Minh Quang, 25, was born into a family of potters in Bát Tràng and studied at Hà Nội University of Arts and Design. After graduating, rather than staying in the city like many of his friends, Quang chose to restore his long-dormant family pottery workshop.

“I have loved pottery since I was a child,” Quang told phunuvietnam.vn.

“When I was in high school, whenever I had free time, I would visit the pottery kilns of the village artisans to practise clay moulding and vase making.

“Seeing my love for the craft, the potters gave me enthusiastic guidance. During village festivals, when I saw veteran artisans being honoured, I also dreamed of one day sitting in the master craftsman's chair.”

Quang officially began working with the craft at the age of 19 years. Whenever he has time, he fondles the clay.

According to him, pottery is not difficult to make, but creating beautiful products requires patience, sophistication and experience.

“It takes at least six months to master the technique of clay kneading. And a potter must spend 10,000 hours practising the ceramic wheel technique — equivalent to five years of holding a pottery wheel — to become proficient,” Quang said.

“And then the enamel making technique. The firing temperature of each kiln is a closely guarded secret. The craftsman has to try it hundreds of times to gain experience."

After six years of working with the craft, Quang has mastered all stages required to make a vase.

In 2023, although still young, he surpassed dozens of skilled craftsmen to win third prize in the 'Golden Hands' competition organised by Bát Tràng Village. His pottery workshop has also become a destination for young people eager to learn and experience the craft.

Quang said he has a particular passion for hand-thrown pottery. According to him, handcrafted products are characterised by spontaneity and variability during the creation process, giving them unique, distinctive value — qualities that hand-thrown ceramics embody perfectly.

At present, Quang is known for two lines of ceramic products: crackle-glazed porcelain and emerald-glazed ceramics, combining traditional elements with modern trends.

Regarding the emerald glaze, Quang said it is a rare type of glaze with high fluidity and melting point. After years of perseverance, the young artisan has mastered the technique to fire vases with uniform, deep, rich glaze surfaces that sometimes shimmer with metallic hues.

“My current achievements are the result of harmonising experience gained in the village with the knowledge and mindset acquired at university — neither of which could be dispensed with,” Quang said.

“Furthermore, the university environment has helped me connect with customers, learn marketing skills, and professionally present the value of my products.”

New knowledge for an old craft

Tô Minh Hoàng with his products. Photo phunuvietnam.vn

Like Quang, Tô Minh Hoàng, 24, returned to Bát Tràng Village to further develop the traditional craft after graduating from Hà Nội Foreign Languages University.

Not only pursuing the creation of ceramic products, Hoàng also aims to develop craft village tourism.

He said that the knowledge and contacts gained during his studies at the university have helped him a lot.

"I not only studied foreign languages but also learned a great deal about the interests and cultures of countries. From there, I can think of ways to best convey the value of Bát Tràng pottery to tourists. My old friends from university also help me reach more customers," he said.

Hoàng — a young man who wants to be both a pottery artisan and a village tourism organiser — has not only learned from his own family’s workshop but also from the stories of other neighbouring ones in the village.

He believes that one must have a deep understanding to be able to present the essence of the craft and must also personally mould the clay to experience the difficulty and hardship, and to be proud of the pottery craft passed down from one's ancestors.

In Bát Tràng Village now, not only Quang and Hoàng but dozens of young villagers have returned to develop their craft after studying elsewhere.

Tô Thanh Sơn, 70, one of the village artisans, said that the generation of 20-30-year-old potters is growing in number.

Drawing on new knowledge, the young generation of craftsmen has created many unique ways of practising the craft, he said.

"They are the future of the village. We care a lot and create conditions for them to demonstrate their talents,” Sơn said.

“The village's artisans association often organises competitions and exhibitions where they can exchange experiences and showcase their skills." — VNS