Gia Thuy ceramics have a rustic and pure beauty. The bridges, vay, and ceramic vases are created from the delicate blend of soil, water, fire and the talented hands of skilled craftsmen. Recognized as a traditional craft village since 2007, Gia Thuy has overcome many ups and downs to preserve and develop the quintessence of Vietnamese pottery.
The history of Gia Thuy pottery village began in the 60s of the last century, when potters from Thanh Hoa came to this land to set up a furnace to produce items for daily life.
Gia Thuy clay, with its characteristic golden brown color, high sticking and good heat resistance, has become a key factor, creating the quality and durability of the pottery here. It is this valuable source of raw materials that has nurtured and helped Gia Thuy pottery village survive and develop through many generations.
The pottery processing process in Gia Thuy requires measurable meticulousness and patience. After being dried, the clay will be finely ground, then carefully mounted to achieve ideal flexibility. The craftsman will create a rough product shape, then carefully combine the details to ensure durability.
The special thing about Gia Thuy pottery is that it does not use fermentation but preserves the rusticity of the soil, then goes through a continuous firing process for three days and three nights. The burning fire in the furnace not only breaks the product but also creates a characteristic color and high durability, helping the pottery to contain water, wine and food without worrying about leakage or odor.
The pottery breaking process is considered the biggest challenge, requiring the craftsman to have experience and high concentration to maintain a stable furnace temperature and add firewood at the right time, avoiding the pottery being bent or cracked. It is this meticulousness and ingenuity that has created Gia Thuy pottery products with the characteristic red-brown color, with a simple yet sophisticated beauty.
Today, despite many changes in the market, Gia Thuy pottery village still maintains its precious traditional features, while constantly creating new designs, in line with modern tastes.
Many visitors to Ninh Binh do not miss the opportunity to explore Gia Thuy pottery village to feel the simple life here and bring a little of the countryside through the sweat-soaked pottery products of the artisans and craftsmen here.
