A program intended to increase tourists in Chu Dau ceramic village of the northern province of Hai Duong was launched on April 27. This was one of the locality’s two large events in response to the Red River Delta-Hai Phong National Tourism Year 2013. The program includes an exhibition of ancient and contemporary ceramic collections and a map of ceramic production sites throughout the country.

A small village nestling on the dreamlike Thai Binh river of the Thai Tan commune, Nam Sach district, Chu Dau is famous across the globe for its high class elegant ceramics. The village’s ceramics not only inherited the quintessence of pottery making during the Ly-Tran dynasties, but developed into a form of pottery that featured beautiful patterns and bright enamel. During 1992, the Chu Dau archaeological site was recognized as a national relic site.

Glazed ceramics tradition represents one of the most important remaining cultural legacies of the country’s history. Ceramics from the village started to make a name at the end of the 14th century and became increasingly popular in the 15th and 16th centuries. Products range from bowls, delightful plates, tea sets, vases, basins, lime pots, incense burners, among others. The most famous glazes of the Chu Dau age were transparent, blue, celadon, green, moss- green, light yellow, reddish yellow and tri-color (green, red and yellow) with lively depictions of animals, birds, and flowers. The potteries’ natural shape, bright and clear enamel, simply beautiful patterns have expressed the Vietnam national culture. Ceramic designs of daily life drawn by talented artists have truly reflected the Red River Civilization - Water Rice Civilization.

The pottery village was destroyed in the war between the Mac and the Trinh dynasties in 17th century. After it survived from affliction of wars, Chu Dau was restored by skilful and loving hands of potters perpetuating the skills of many generations of craftsmen who are now behind the Chu Dau Ceramic Enterprise whose mission is to rehabilitate antique decorative motifs and glazes, mid promote them on the international market under the famous Chu Dau ceramic brand name.

At present, many samples of Chu Dau ancient ceramic have been displayed in 46 well-known museums of 32 countries and regions over the world. Chu Dau’s ceramic products have been presented in 46 museums in the world and exported to 15 countries, bringing an annual revenue of tens of billions in VND.

The popularity of Chu Dau pottery have provided livelihood to many locals and brought substantial revenues to the community. In 2012, the sales of Chu Dau Ceramics Enterprise (now the Chu Dau Pottery JSC) reached VND25 billion. Mr. Nguyen Van Luu, the company’s director, claimed that during 10 years of operation, they have provided jobs to around 600 local employees who earn VND2.5 to 5 million per employee every month.

Chu Dau is one of the oldest ceramic villages in Vietnam was among the first to help the development of the other ceramic villages. Visiting the village will give visitors opportunity to see, enjoy and discover the interesting culture of the village. Chu Dau Ceramic has imbrued with the Vietnamese Cultural characters human values of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Local Religion. Guests will get to witness the beauty of all ceramic products collected from the shipwreck in Cu Lao Cham. They will be able to study archaeology projects, ceramic art of the Red-River civilization, and directly participate in its production process as the tour will include activities like shaping, drawing, writing calligraphy, and signing on the pottery.

Tour programs will boost tourism revenue, will contribute positively to the popularization of cultural values of the trade village as well as the conservation of national cultural heritage. On top of that, the natural landscape of the charming and hospitable Northern Delta is an entirely new experience tourists will surely welcome.