Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Thanh Ha has made pottery on the bank of the Thu Bon since the sixteenth century, using clay dug from the riverbanks, and its bricks and tiles roofed much of Hoi An while its wares went as far as the Nguyen court at Hue, whose records name potters brought from here. Production is smaller now and much of what is made is for visitors, but the technique is unchanged in the family workshops: the wheel is turned by a second person with their foot while the potter shapes, and firing is in wood kilns. A separate terracotta park at the edge of the village displays large-scale ceramic work.

What you actually see

• Potting since the sixteenth century - with clay from the riverbank.
• A wheel turned by foot - by a second person, while the potter shapes.
• Wood-fired kilns - the traditional firing still used.
• A terracotta park - large ceramic work, ticketed separately.

When to go

February to August. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Much of the production is now souvenirs. Demonstrations are laid on and tipping is expected. The terracotta park charges separately and is a modern attraction rather than part of the village. It is busy with Hoi An tours.

Nearby

Hoi An is east; Kim Bong carpentry village is across the river.