{"id":4162,"date":"2024-08-09T05:01:52","date_gmt":"2024-08-09T05:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/battrang.museum\/?post_type=journal&p=4162"},"modified":"2025-06-10T00:46:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T17:46:52","slug":"a-rare-glimpse-of-bat-trangs-past","status":"publish","type":"journal","link":"https:\/\/battrang.museum\/en\/journal\/a-rare-glimpse-of-bat-trangs-past\/","title":{"rendered":"A Rare Glimpse of B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng\u2019s Past"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1723184783988{background-image: url(http:\/\/battrang.museum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/batch_IMG_2387-1.jpg?id=4200) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”20rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_empty_space height=”48rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”3rem”][vc_empty_space height=”3rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\n

A Rare Glimpse of B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng\u2019s Past<\/h3>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”1rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_empty_space height=”3rem”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\nCaptured by L\u00e2m Tr\u00fac Qu\u1ef3nh (LTQ), a local photographer of B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng, this photo series of the ceramics village had only been seen by a selective few. However, the fascinating stories it tells is now publicly available at one\u2019s finger tips, as it is currently being featured on<\/span> Bat Trang Museum\u2019s page at Google Arts & Culture.<\/a><\/strong>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n

*<\/h1>\r\n

This article and its visuals were exclusively produced by Bat Trang Museum.\r\nUnauthorized use is not permitted.<\/h5>\r\n

*<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Editor V\u0168 CHI LAM\r\n<\/strong>Words H\u00c0 TU\u1ea4N MINH\r\n<\/strong>Photographer L\u00c2M TR\u00daC QU\u1ef2NH (LTQ)\r\n<\/strong>English Translation\u00a0T\u1ed0NG M\u1ea0NH\r\n<\/strong>Illustration L\u1ea0I HI\u1ebeU<\/strong><\/h5>\r\n
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On the left-bank of the Red River, 12 kilometres from the center of the Capital, lies the 700-year-old village of B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-10″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md”][vc_empty_space height=”4rem”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-8″][vc_empty_space height=”4rem”][vc_empty_space height=”4rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_single_image image=”3809″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”8rem”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″ offset=”vc_col-md-2 vc_col-sm-offset-1 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-3″][vc_single_image image=”1194″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”14rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\n

These photos were taken about 20-30 years ago in Bat Trang ancient village, Gia Lam district, Hanoi.<\/span><\/p>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”4rem”][vc_single_image image=”4168″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]\r\n

Unburned goods being placed in refractory covers before they can be put into the kiln.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_single_image image=”4174″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]\r\n
Before the popularization of gas and electric kilns, the people of B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng primarily used traditional kilns that run on coal and firewood, like L\u00f2 B\u1ea7u and L\u00f2 H\u1ed9p. These handful lumps of coal are used to power such kilns and they are also called \u201ccharcoal briquettes\u201d. Before they could act as fuel, however, they must first be placed on the wall to dry and arranged between stacks of refractory covers. Upon removal, these briquettes often leave their marks on the wall where they were placed, which have unintentionally become a unique feature of B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”8rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n

Bat Trang ancient village <\/span>is <\/span>famed for its intimate relations with the growth of Thang Long \u2013 Hanoi and its incredible importance to the rich culture and long history of the nation\u2019s ceramic arts. Unlike most traditional craft villages of Northern Vietnam, Bat Trang does not specialise in agricultural production. Instead, since time before memorial, the residents of Bat Trang have solely devoted themselves to the one craft of ceramics making.<\/span><\/p>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section el_class=”.grid-collection”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-4 vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\n

What was recorded by photographer LTQ has long changed, and so too did the ceramics art of B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng, with its various modern methods of pottery making developed through the ages.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-10″][vc_single_image image=”4170″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”8rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_empty_space height=”4rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n

Through highs and lows, Bat Trang\u2019s ceramic art never fails to make traditions thrive. When it comes to the making of ceramics itself, the people of Bat Trang have this to say: Bones formed by clay, skin by glaze, tempered by the know-how of the kiln\u2019s blaze.<\/p>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”4rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n

In a way, these ceramics are akin to living bodies, harmoniously composited from the five elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. To breathe life unto these bodies, their makers need to not only be creative, but also extraordinarily meticulous and richly experienced.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_empty_space height=”1.5rem”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4196″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
The product shaping process. To create ceramics that can resiliently withstand wear and tear, as well as being vibrant in colours and intricate in details, the artisans of Bat Trang use clay and kaolin as raw materials, which they mix, shape, fire and glaze using secret techniques that they inherited from generations of predecessors.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4188″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
Nowadays, traditional kilns have fallen out of popular use. In their place are the electric and gas kilns, which the ceramic products of B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng are mainly fired in.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4176″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
The way large-sized ceramic goods are transported.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4186″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
L\u00f2 B\u1ea7u (Gourd-shaped Kiln) is a wood-fired traditional kiln of Bat Trang, with multiple gourds like domes placed together. There were approximately 20 Lo B\u1ea7u\u2019s ever produced and each of the domes was allowed to be rented by small workshops. Nowadays, only one of these ancient kilns is left, and it is currently being preserved as a tourist attraction.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4182″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
Large-sized goods being transported through Bat Trang Communal House area.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4166″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
A gas-fired kiln specifically designed for firing large-sized products.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4164″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
A small alleyway, characteristic of the ancient village.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4194″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
A small alleyway, characteristic of the ancient village.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4192″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
A small alleyway, characteristic of the ancient village.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4178″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
An annual festival of B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng, held in every second month of the Lunar calendar.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4201″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
Bat Trang’s riverside location is advantageous to the village’s ceramics trades and tourism.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_single_image image=”4180″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”1rem”][vc_column_text]\r\n
In addition to domestic consumption, Bat Trang ceramics are valuable export goods as they are gaining increasing popularity on the international market.<\/h5>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=”8rem”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_single_image image=”892″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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Four Women Designers in Dialogue with Ceramic Heritage<\/h4>\n \n\t
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