Bat Trang Village

Bat Trang ceramics village and its ancient art

The Bat Trang ceramics village, a 500-year-old village, is located about 10 km northeast of Ha Noi on the left bank of the Red River.

According to Viet Nam’s famous history book, Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu, the name of Bat or Bat Trang commune was first known in 1352. However, unofficial records said that in the Ly dynasty (1010-1225), villagers from Bo Bat commune in Ninh Binh province resettled in this area and called it Bat Trang commune. The villagers chose the area because they found porcelain clay – a good material to produce high quality porcelain and ceramics. The land is also easy to access by a water way as it lies next to the Nhi or Hong (Red) River.

According to artisans in the village, Bat Trang ceramics have been mainly decorated with paintings of dragons and phoenixes, parallel sentences, floral designs, images of people and landscapes, which all reflect the Vietnamese people’s daily activities and spiritual life.

Bat Trang, in the several past centuries, mainly made worshipping objects, then produced house-utensils, including bowls, plates, vases, cups and pots. The village has recently diversified its products, producing many items of fine art ceramics and high quality porcelain.

Bat Trang ceramics have also been shipped to many countries, such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, the US and EU member countries. Many ancient ceramics of Bat Trang are being kept in major museums in the world, such as the Royaux museum in Belgium and the Guimet museum in France.

What to do?

Bat Trang Village is famous for pottery. The village is located near the bank of the river, includes sacred communal house, pagoda, temple, shrine.

How to get there?

Bat Trang Pottery Village is located in the south east of Hanoi, passing Chuong Duong Bridge turns right and go about 10km along the dike of Red River. You can reach Bat Trang village by private car, mini van, bus No.47 from Long Bien bus station or motobike.

Bat Trang belongs to Bat Trang Commune, Gia Lam District, Hanoi, Vietnam.

When to go?

You can visit Bat Trang poterry all time in the year. However, the best time to visit is in the dry season (winter & spring). Bat Trang Village Festival takes from the 14th to the 16th day of the second lunar month. Water procession, ancestral tablet washing, and contest of composing ca tru song to sing on the worshipping ceremony.

Travel Tips

Shopping & exploring the history, beautiful scenes, and technique of making pottery. Also bring hat and easy walking shoes.