Preserving and developing Bien Hoa traditional pottery craft

Bien Hoa Ward, Dong Nai Province is established by merging 4 wards of Hoa An, Tan Hanh, Buu Hoa, and Tan Van. The ward is currently focusing on solutions to develop the locality based on existing advantages, with an emphasis on developing the riverside economy associated with the Bien Hoa traditional pottery craft village.

Bien Hoa pottery production at Tan Hanh Industrial Cluster, Bien Hoa Ward.

Bien Hoa Ward is located along the Dong Nai River and borders Ho Chi Minh City. Since the 17th century, pottery-making craft in Bien Hoa has been formed and developed strongly, becoming one of the 8 most famous craft villages in Vietnam. After more than 325 years of formation and development, Bien Hoa pottery products still hold high value, being directly exported to over 30 countries.

From a traditional pottery craft village…

Hundreds of years ago, the Bien Hoa pottery village developed along both banks of the Dong Nai River. Pottery products were quite diverse and made using traditional manual methods, bearing strong imprints of folk culture and mainly serving the daily life of the people such as: jars, pots, crocks, tiles... or used for decoration such as: teapots, vases, bedside lamp bases... To craft Bien Hoa pottery products, the maker had to go through many meticulous, skillful, and creative stages, thus making the pottery products lively, highly practical, and rich in artistic value.

Bien Hoa pottery has two main lines that form its common brand: black clay pottery and white clay pottery, which are glazed with elaborate patterns, used for decoration. Among them, the black pottery was famous in Tan Van pottery village hundreds of years ago. The characteristic of this pottery line is that it is usually fired naturally in a wood-fired kiln, without glazing. Under high temperatures, the smoke and dust from the flame strike the products, creating a natural black, glossy, durable and long-lasting ceramic coating.

According to historical and cultural researchers, Vietnam has many famous pottery brands such as: Lai Thieu pottery (former Binh Duong province, now Ho Chi Minh City), Cay Mai pottery (Ho Chi Minh City), Bat Trang pottery (Hanoi)... but only Bien Hoa pottery boasts its history of formation and development almost parallel to that of this land for over 325 years, spanning from the time of territorial expansion to the period of Western cultural assimilation and to modern-day modernization. Bien Hoa pottery is present in architecture, sculpture, and decoration, contributing significantly to the historical, artistic, and cultural value of many typical relics and works in Bien Hoa.

The most distinctive feature and also the pride of Bien Hoa pottery is the copper-green glaze with floral patterns. This characteristic makes Bien Hoa pottery the only Vietnamese pottery brand recognized by name in the international market. Bien Hoa pottery is also the only case in Vietnam's millennia-old pottery tradition where the pottery brand completely matches the local designation. (vert de Bien Hoa).

Tan Hanh Ceramic Industrial Cluster, Bien Hoa Ward, Dong Nai Province covers an area of over 32 hectares. It is home to dozens of enterprises producing and trading ceramics, most of which are Bien Hoa pottery establishments that have moved in according to regulations.

…To a modern ceramic industrial cluster

In 2008, to protect a clean living environment for the local people, the pottery industry was not encouraged to operate in residential areas. Therefore, the Tan Hanh Ceramic Industrial Cluster in Bien Hoa Ward was established. In the following years, pottery establishments were relocated. This was also a period when many economic sectors recovered and developed strongly. From then on, the pottery craft revived, orders increased, and most importantly, the traditional pottery craft was maintained under new conditions and facilities.

Hua My Chieu, Director of Phong Son Pottery Import-Export Trading and Service Co., Ltd., said: 80% of Phong Son's current export orders go to the U.S. market. In the past, due to the impact of the domestic and global economic situation, businesses' orders were affected. However, the pottery enterprises in Bien Hoa have always strived to maintain operations, continuing to preserve and develop the local centuries-old craft.

To honor the values of the pottery craft, in April 2025, Dong Nai for the first time organized the Bien Hoa - Dong Nai Traditional Ceramic Festival, the largest ever of its kind. The event aims to honor the values of Bien Hoa's traditional ceramic craft, while also promoting the unique ceramic products of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai and ceramic products nationwide.

Sharing about the brand building strategy for Bien Hoa ceramics, Mai Thanh Xin, Director of Bien Hoa Ceramic Co., Ltd., said: The company is aiming to develop a diverse range of traditional ceramic products to serve domestic and international consumers. The company's products all ensure distinctive features, creating a difference from other ceramic products.

With great cultural and human values, as well as continuing to preserve and promote the ceramic craft, the leaders of Bien Hoa ward have identified many key tasks and breakthrough areas in the coming years.

Provincial Party Committee member, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council of Bien Hoa ward, Vien Hong Tien, said: The ward will focus on effectively utilizing all resources for economic development, associated with cultural and social development, environmental protection, and ensuring solid national defense and security. At the same time, it will strongly apply modern science and technology, promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and enhance production capacity, labor productivity, and the competitiveness of businesses and people.

To ensure that businesses in the ward operate effectively and become increasingly strong, the Secretary of the Bien Hoa Ward Party Committee emphasized: The ward always pays attention to encouraging and supporting businesses to implement technological innovation to enhance competitiveness and reduce environmental pollution. In addition, it will strengthen state management of land, planning, construction, urban order, mineral resources, population management, protection and development of urban landscapes, environmental protection, and adaptation to climate change. The Bien Hoa Ward Party Committee identifies riverine economic development associated with the development of Bien Hoa's traditional ceramic craft village.

By: Ngoc Lien

Translated by: Mai Nga – Thu Ha