Things to See & Do in Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Hoi An

Watch Local Artisans at Work

Along the paved alleyways inside Thanh Ha Pottery Village, during the day, visitors will see/photograph local artisans working at their house/workshops. Many of them are middle-aged to old. It’s possible to watch how they use a manual potter’s wheel (by hand or foot), process the clay, shape pottery, sun dry pottery, etc. In some families, people paint the pottery. All of these activities prove that traditional pottery making in the village is still alive and not touristy.

Most pottery making houses/workshops are near Nam Dieu Communal House. From the ticket counter, walk towards the river and then follow brick-paved laneways to find them.

Making Pottery with Local Artisan

Around Thanh Ha Pottery Village, many local families are happy to welcome visitors and teach how to make pottery as they do daily. Unlike other villages across the country now, local inhabitants here use a potter’s wheel (instead of a machine) although they must spend more time and effort. This tradition has been kept for some centuries already, so no surprise, it becomes a national heritage and preserved by the government.

Firstly, visitors need to buy the entry ticket to enter Thanh Ha Pottery Village. The price is 35,000 VND for each adult and children above 10 years old. It’s 15,000 VND for children below 10 years old. The ticket booth is right at the crossroad Duy Tan street and Pham Phan street (near Thanh Ha Terracotta Park).

After buying the ticket, visitors will need to walk towards Thu Bon River, to see the village. The easiest way to go around and meet local workshops is following brick-paved paths. While being in the village, it’s not difficult to see potters at work (they process the clay, shape something, burn the kilns, sun dry clay pots) as well as have photo opportunities.

At any workshops in Thanh Ha Pottery Village, family members definitely instruct visitors how to make an object (or some objects) from the wet clay that was already processed. Meaning that visitors will start from the shaping stage. While using hands and fingers to shape a pot or a teacup or a vase or whatever, locals spin the potter’s wheel by one of his/her hands or legs. This way sure is traditional and slow, but gives us more experiences (and even knowledge). For those who have no skills before, the object can be not completed and to make it shape better, family members will help. Of course, they do everything quickly and smoothly after many years working. When it looks okay, visitors can use a stick to write their names on it.

It’s possible for visitors to take away the object(s) they just made. It’s still not hard yet, so carefulness is needed when holding. At the hotel, please dry them in the sun (balcony for example) and then pack it to bring home. It can be the best souvenir.

Xuan My Communal House

Xuan My Communal House was built in the middle of the 17th century, on a piece of land by the Thu Bon River. It’s used to worship the Village God, those who found the village and those who developed the village then. During the year, there are two ceremonies held here: spring ceremony on the 12nd day of the second lunar month, and autumn ceremony on the 12nd day of the 8th lunar month. Small shrines on its yard are to worship ‘Six Heavenly Ladies’ and ‘Lord of the Land’ as well as a small statue of an elephant left from Cham people when they moved.

From the ticket counter, visitors just need to follow Pham Phan street to the riverside, and then turn right to see Xuan My Communal House (on a higher ground than the riverside).

Thanh Ha Terracotta Park & Museum

In the heart of Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Thanh Ha Terracotta Park is dedicated to honoring local long-standing pottery making tradition. It’s designed by an architect who was borned and grew up in the village, and has opened since 2015. It has an extensive ground, with clay miniature of numerous world wonders, and two tall buildings which depict two different types of pottery kiln. Within them, pottery villages around Vietnam and the history of pottery making in Thanh Ha Village, are introduced. Entry ticket of this place is separate. See more information & details

Buy Souvenirs at Thanh Ha Village

Thanh Ha Pottery Village is a perfect place to buy souvenirs. Of course, the best thing to see and shop here is products made by local pottery makers, such as statues, vases, bowls, terracotta animals,… If possible, we recommend getting some objects from local families who instruct you to make pottery.

Old House of Le Ban Family

This old house is on the small road next to the Thanh Ha Terracotta Park. It’s built by the great grandfather of the current owner Le Ban who is 65 years old. According to him, 5 generations of the family have lived here. His great grandfather had a large boat that was used to carry potteries produced in the village to sell in far places, up the north and down the south. After the death of that man, his grandfather didn’t succeed and choose another profession to earn for living. Because of its similarities to ancient houses in the Hoi An Ancient Town, historians think that it dates back from the 19th century. It has three compartments, with a tile roof supported by 20 timber columns. In the front, there is a flower and ornamental tree garden.

Le Ban Old House opens during the day. By the entry ticket of Thanh Ha Pottery Village, visitors can visit it. So no extra fee is required.

Pottery Ancestors Temple & Festival

This temple was constructed in 1868, in the reign of Tu Duc king, to worship Pottery Ancestors, ancestors, and successors of Thanh Ha Village. In the same ground, there are small shrines to worship different gods and goddesses. On the 10th day of the first lunar month, a festival is held by local inhabitants to commemorate them.

Thanh Ha Fish Market

This market opens in the early morning, around 4-5 am everyday. Here, visitors can see many types of sea fish, seafood, and freshwater fish and buy them at a cheap price. See more information & details

In the area, if interested, visitors can go to Duy Hai Fish Market, Binh Minh Fish Market, or Tam Tien Fish Market.