Bien Hoa ceramics "festively" welcome the Lunar New Year

As Lunar New Year 2026 approaches, Bien Hoa ceramics, infused with the spirit of spring, are being carefully shaped by skilled local artisans. These vibrant products are increasingly appearing on street corners, in markets, and even on social media, conveying hopes for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

Bien Hoa ceramics not only add color to the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year but also carry the essence of Dong Nai's cultural heritage.

Ceramics as spring gifts

As one of the oldest and most renowned ceramic traditions in the Southern region, with a history deeply intertwined with the formation of the Bien Hoa - Dong Nai area, Bien Hoa ceramics have long been a symbolic item closely associated with the lives of local people during the traditional Tet holiday. Over the course of many historical ups and downs, Bien Hoa ceramics have been preserved and developed. What sets Bien Hoa ceramics apart is their sturdy shape, simple yet elegant lines, and warm glazes. These pieces possess a beauty that is both timeless and welcoming, blending ancient tradition with the warmth of everyday life.

The horse zodiac figurine featured in ceramics for the 2026 Year of the Fire Horse market

As the Lunar New Year approaches, ceramic production facilities in Bien Hoa ward, Dong Nai, are bustling with activity. Skilled artisans work diligently at the pottery wheel and with paintbrushes to complete the final batches of ceramics for the Tet market. Creating ceramics for the spring season not only requires solid technical skills but also demands emotional depth and sensitivity. Each piece is not just a decorative item, but a cultural message, a New Year’s wish embedded in every line and layer of glaze. Every ceramic piece that emerges is a culmination of time, experience, and love for the craft, values that remain steadfast through the years.

According to Mai Thanh Xin, Director of  Bien Hoa Ceramic Co., Ltd., this year, Tet ceramics are diverse, catering to various needs, from ritual items and decorations to everyday household goods. The most popular items are vases, teapots, trays for Tet sweets, bowls, zodiac figurines, ceramic paintings, and wall reliefs. The patterns and glazes chosen for Tet ceramics are carefully selected, with a focus on bright, warm colors like gold, jade green, and earthy brown. Familiar Tet motifs such as apricot blossoms, peach flowers, swallows, carp, and the dragon and phoenix are vividly portrayed, symbolizing wishes for good luck, prosperity, and peace for the family.

Glazing a ceramic plate featuring the "Horses Galloping to Success" motif - a classic theme in Vietnamese folk art

In particular, the Year of the Fire Horse, 2026, has become a special theme for local ceramic workshops and artisans, who have created products featuring the zodiac animal. Notable items include horse-shaped spoon and fork holders, decorative plates with horse motifs from traditional Vietnamese folk paintings, ceramic horse figurines with raised hooves in blue glaze, and "Horses Galloping to Success" ceramics, each carrying the symbolic message of success and prosperity. These items not only highlight the cultural significance of the Year of the Fire Horse but also showcase the unique, traditional glazes for which Bien Hoa ceramics are known.

In addition to preserving traditional values, Bien Hoa ceramics have continuously innovated to meet market demands. Many local workshops have boldly combined traditional techniques with modern design thinking, resulting in products that embody both cultural identity and contemporary living spaces. As a result, Bien Hoa ceramics are not only cherished by local families but also recognized by customers worldwide, often chosen as gifts during the spring festival season.

When choosing ceramics as gifts for clients, Nguyen Thi Nguyet, an employee at a bank in Tam Hiep ward (Dong Nai), shared: "Handmade ceramics are becoming increasingly popular, especially for decorating during Tet. For several years, our company has selected Bien Hoa ceramics as gifts for clients and partners, because these unique handcrafted products suit both classic and modern spaces. This year, I have chosen a pair of elephant stools and a round stool as Tet gifts, wishing for a peaceful and fulfilling new year."

These days, a visit to Bien Hoa market reveals bustling ceramic stalls, more crowded than usual. As Tet draws nearer, ceramic products such as vases, stools, tea sets, and jars for Tet sweets are in even higher demand. On the streets, ceramic product vendors are also seeing increased foot traffic, with many people stopping by to select unique items for the upcoming festive season.

Maintaining the Bien Hoa ceramic legacy

Spring is also a time for Bien Hoa ceramics to step beyond the village craft and make their presence felt at fairs, exhibitions, cultural and tourism spaces, and in everyday life. Some local production facilities have even set up traditional Tet spaces showcasing Bien Hoa's signature ceramic products, allowing visitors to stop by, take photos, and learn about the ceramic-making process. This endeavor not only promotes the craftsmanship but also connects the public with the rich cultural heritage of Bien Hoa ceramics.

Vien Hong Tien, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee, and Chairman of the People's Council of Bien Hoa ward, visits the Bien Hoa Ceramics Exhibition

Customers visit and choose Bien Hoa ceramics as Spring gifts. Photo: Nhat Ha

Thanh Hai, a resident of Tan Trieu ward, shared: “As a ceramic enthusiast, especially when it comes to Bien Hoa ceramics, every year there’s always a piece of Bien Hoa pottery in our family’s Tet basket. When I see the potted plants, flower pots, and ceramic vases filling the streets, I know Tet is near. This year, I’ve chosen a Bien Hoa ceramic vase with a golden apricot blossom design, symbolizing wealth and good luck. For me, Bien Hoa ceramics still possess a unique charm. When I place a vase of flowers for Tet, it’s not just beautiful, as it brings to life the traditional culture of the southern region.”

In modern society, the spirit of Bien Hoa ceramics continues to flow, preserving and spreading traditional values despite numerous challenges. Bringing these ceramic products into more homes and everyday life is a significant way to preserve and enhance the value of Bien Hoa ceramics.

Located along the Dong Nai River, Bien Hoa ward in Dong Nai province is home to centuries-old ceramic villages and numerous production and business establishments contributing to the preservation and development of Bien Hoa pottery. According to Vien Hong Tien, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee, and Chairman of the People's Council of Bien Hoa ward, the locality has identified several objectives and solutions to preserve and promote the value of Bien Hoa ceramics. These include safeguarding the traditional ceramic craft, preserving techniques and special glazing methods, and honoring and supporting skilled artisans while encouraging the transfer of skills to younger generations.

The strategy also links the preservation of the ceramic craft with maintaining local cultural identity along the Dong Nai River, while developing tourism and services. It includes assisting businesses in expanding into new markets and building their brands. Additionally, the ward aims to apply information technology, manage land resources, and protect the environment to make ceramics a key pillar of economic and social development in the area.

By Nhat Ha – Translated by Hong Van, Minho