HANOI (ANN/VIET NAM NEWS) – Nestled along the gentle curves of the Cầu River in Bắc Ninh Province, Phù Lãng pottery village is where tradition meets novelty.
With a history dating back over 700 years, Phù Lãng is one of Vietnam’s oldest pottery villages, renowned for its distinct reddish-brown earthenware and wood-fired kilns.
Once bustling with craftsmen and brimming with the scent of clay and smoke, the village has faced increasing challenges in recent decades, from dwindling interest among younger generations to the pressures of modernisation and mass production.
But today, Phù Lãng is stirring again, this time with a new generation of potters and a cross-cultural collaboration that may redefine the future of this ancient craft.
The legacy of fire and clay
With a pottery history dating back to the 13th century during the Trần Dynasty (1226-1400), Phù Lãng is one of the most renowned pottery centres in northern Vietnam.
Its products are known for their terracotta, earthy brown glaze, hand-carved patterns, and the unique technique of firing in traditional wood-fired kilns. For generations, Phù Lãng potters used local red clay to craft household items such as jars, vases, and water containers.
Yet the last few decades have been difficult for Phù Lãng. The rise of industrial ceramics, plastic wares, and cheap imports led to declining demand for handmade pottery. Older artisans were retiring, and younger generations were increasingly turning away from the craft, seeking more lucrative careers in cities.
“Many young people in my village didn’t want to do pottery any more because it seemed rustic and outdated,” said Bùi Văn Huân, a 35-year-old potter. “It was hard work, the income was unstable, and the market was shrinking.”
But rather than giving up on his heritage, Huân decided to take a different approach — one that would combine tradition with innovation.
According to Lê Phú Thành, vice chairman of Phù Lãng Commune People’s Committee [commune administration], the vitality of the village lies in both its heritage and its adaptability.
The young generation steps in
Huân is part of a new generation of Phù Lãng artisans who are not just preserving the village’s heritage but transforming it. Armed with design knowledge, digital skills, and global perspectives, these young potters are reimagining what Phù Lãng terracotta can be.
After graduating from the Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts, Huân returned to his village with a mission: to modernise Phù Lãng pottery without losing its soul.
He began experimenting with new glazes, minimalist forms, and functional designs tailored for urban lifestyles. Instead of large jars, he created tea sets, home decor items, and contemporary tableware. He also built an online presence, showcasing his works on social media and connecting with design-savvy customers across Vietnam and beyond.
A bridge to Japan: JICA project
One major turning point came in 2021, when a development cooperation initiative between Vietnam and Japan brought new opportunities to the village.
According to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Vietnam, Onimaru Setsuzan Kamamoto Company and Toho Village of Japan have coordinated with local authorities and master artisans in Phù Lãng Village to launch a multi-phase initiative aimed at revitalising the ancient craft.
The project, titled “Sustainable Pottery Development in Phù Lãng”, aims to cultivate ceramic artisans by combining traditional pottery knowledge with advanced techniques, technologies, and experiential expertise adapted to the local context of Phù Lãng craft village.
From local to global
The results were soon visible.
So far, the village boasts over 200 households engaged in pottery production. Around 1,000 workers are directly involved in pottery-making, producing over one million products each year.
With support from the project, several local workshops began redesigning their product lines. Colour palettes became more refined, patterns more subtle, and forms more suitable for export markets. Some studios began offering pottery classes for tourists and locals, turning the village into a creative destination.
One standout example was the transformation of old family pottery into a multi-functional space — part gallery, part workshop — where visitors could watch artisans at work and try their hand at making pottery. The space quickly became a favourite stop for culture-loving travellers.
“It’s not just about selling potteries,” Huân said. “It’s about telling a story — the story of a village, a tradition, and a new generation.”
Challenges ahead
Despite these successes, the road ahead isn’t without hurdles. The younger generation still faces pressure from family members who are sceptical of change. The infrastructure in the village, from roads to logistics, remains underdeveloped, making it hard to scale up production or host large numbers of visitors.
Environmental concerns also loom large. Traditional wood-fired kilns, though authentic, contribute to air pollution and deforestation. Some young artisans are experimenting with electric kilns or cleaner fuels, but these require investment and technical support.
There’s also the challenge of maintaining product quality while increasing output. As demand grows, some workshops are tempted to cut corners or outsource parts of the making process. For artists like Huân, this is a delicate balance.
Still, there is a growing sense of optimism in Phù Lãng — a feeling that the village is on the cusp of something new. Thanks to a mix of youthful energy, cultural pride, and international collaboration, a new chapter is unfolding.
What was once seen as a dying craft is now being recognised as a living art form – one that reflects not just the past, but the potential of Vietnam’s creative future.
