Thanh Ha Terracotta Park

Between 15^th and 19^th centuries, Hoi An was one of major stopovers for sailing merchants to trade in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, craftspeople in its Thanh Ha village produce high-quality pottery and ceramic to sell for them. And then, they can bring to their home countries. Around mid-19 century, because of natural and political reasons, commerce declined in Hoi An. This economic decrease made the pottery production of the village go down, and nearly disappeared. Thankfully, the last artisans keep their ancestor’s heritage alive and now have the assistance from the government.

Thanh Ha village today is a featured attraction known by many tourists, both local and international. Within it, to celebrate and exhibit its long-standing pottery industry, Thanh Ha terracotta park is built. This place has emerged to be among the idealist destinations for families with kids and school’s outdoor activities. Here, we provide everything travelers need to know about it.

The Campus of Thanh Ha Terracotta Park

Prior to indoor exhibitions, visitors will see plenty of terracotta miniatures about world-famous constructions and Vietnamese cultural icons. There are the Temple of literature in Hanoi, Hue’s Imperial city, Sydney opera house, Paris Notre-Dame church, Statue of liberty in New York, Taj Mahal in India, and more. A brief introduction is mentioned to inform the viewers.

Left-Hand Building: The Opening Kiln

Level 1:

This space houses a collection of paintings and clay sculptures.

Level 2: Traditional Pottery Villages in Vietnam

Traditional pottery villages all over Vietnam are introduced at this level. Visitors will see their products and learn about the differences between them. The special characters making their reputation is also outlined in details.

In the north, Huong Canh village is selected to represent the pottery making industry of Viet people. In the central region, Phuoc Tich is another Vietnamese village. In its highlands, M’nong tribes have kept the last living pottery makers. By the southeastern coastline, Bau Truc pottery village is home to Chăm ladies who still continue their ancestral handicraft over centuries. Here, the know-how is passed down from mother to daughter because Chăm people are matriarchy. In 2022, it’s registered by Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage of our humanity.

Level 3: Sa Huynh and Cham Potteries

Sa Huynh and Cham cultures existed in Hoi An for a long time before Viet people came. This exhibition provides pictures, artifacts and information about archaeological sites left by the civilizations. In addition, techniques and materials (especially bricks) to build Cham Hindu temples are shared. If visiting My Son sanctuary, your guide will talk about them.

Right-Hand Building: The Closing Kiln

Level 1: Pottery Market

Visitors can go shopping here, with a variety of pottery products that are handcrafted by villagers. They have different uses, from decoration, souvenirs, household utensils to cooking.

Level 2: Coffee Shop

This is a good place to take a break and have a drink. It opens to the park’s campus, and it’s connected with the Level 2 of the Left-hand building. The price for a coffee or soft beverage is around 20,000 VND, and more expensive for juices.

Level 3: History of Thanh Ha Village and its Pottery Making

Going upstairs from the café, visitors will come to the most worthwhile exhibition in the park. The history and cultural traditions of the village in general, tools and stages of its pottery making industry are told here. Large terracotta paintings are really impressive, great to look and perfect for pictures (as backgrounds). Furthermore, it’s ideal to educate children. Guiding service is available in the ticket booth, for Vietnamese and English speakers only. It’s free of charge for groups bigger than 20, and is 100,000 VND for the smaller group.

Pottery Making Class

Pottery making class is available in Thanh Ha Terracotta Park. Visitors will pay 30,000 VND per person for this funny hands-on experience. Tickets are sold on the site, and the workshop base is behind the buildings. The quickest way is walking to the coffee shop inside the Left-hand building and then going downstairs.

The clay is already processed by people. So, the learners just start from the stage of shaping and decide which object they like to make (pot, vase, cup, etc). While the fingers are touching on the wet clay, the artisan spins the potter’s wheel and assists to form the right thing by his/her expertise. This step is most interesting. After that, the learners will decorate it by own ideas (can ask for local traditional patterns from the artisan). Because the objects are dried together later, a personal sign or name is needed. The drying process lasts 20 minutes, and visitors can bring it home as a souvenir.

Note: Remember that Thanh Ha pottery village entrance fee is paid already before you come to the terracotta park. It includes a pottery making experience in an artisan’s house.

How to Get to Thanh Ha Terracotta Park

Thanh Ha Terracotta Park Location

Thanh Ha Terracotta Park is located in Thanh Ha pottery village, Thanh Ha ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province. Its entrance is at Pham Phan Street (no number currently) but near the intersection with Duy Tan Street – the foremost road of the village.

By Taxi and Shuttle Bus

From Hoi An’s centre – the Old town, the distance to Thanh Ha Terracotta Park is between 3 and 4 kilometers, depending on different places. So, if getting there by taxi or shuttle bus, it takes travelers around 10 minutes. To take any of them, it’s needed to leave Ancient town’s walking area first, and then hail whichever car on the street. The price is nearly the same, particularly from 60,000 to 100,000 VND.

The taxi and shuttle bus will stop (drop off) at Thanh Ha pottery village ticket booth anyway. The Thanh Ha terracotta park is just a few walks from there. To return to Hoi An, just come back to the same place.

From the hotel, visitors can ask for help from the reception to get a taxi or shuttle. If it’s in a location difficult to access, they know how to describe for the driver or the easiest way to stand and wait for him.

By Motorbike and Bicycle

Thanh Ha terracotta park is in a bikeable distance from Hoi An’s centre. From there, travelers can ride the bicycle or motorcycle along Nguyen Du St, and then Hung Vuong St (along Thu Bon river bank). At the traffic light under the bridge, turn left and follow Duy Tan St. When it’s close to the park, staff from Thanh Ha pottery village will request to stop and buy the entrance ticket to enter the village.

There is no official parking for the park. Visitors can leave their bicycle or motorcycle in local houses nearby, with a fee of 5,000 to 10,000 VND.

By Boat

Travelers can reach Thanh Ha village (and its terracotta park) by boat thanks to its location by the Thu Bon river. There are many boats or cruises docking along Bach Dang quay – the Old town or Nguyen Hoang pier in An Hoi to choose from. The ride is around 15 minutes (upstream) and it’s really easy breezy.

The price starts from 300,000 VND for a roundtrip (two ways). Boatmen may ask for higher costs from big groups than small families. Keep in mind to deal with the total time you will stay in the village, to avoid an additional fee. For safety, life vests are always available.

From the landing place of Thanh Ha village, the walk is very short to Thanh Ha Terracotta Park. Elders and wheelchair users can make it.

Da Nang to Thanh Ha Terracotta Park

Thanh Ha pottery village is in Hoi An, so the distance from Da Nang centre is some 30 kilometers and the travel time is around 45 minutes. The best vehicle is a private car (or taxi) due to its flexibility and affordable price. Travelers will pay from 700,000 to 1,200,000 VND for a roundtrip from Da Nang to Hoi An that includes Thanh Ha pottery village. Text us in whatsapp number +84968009827 for further details and make a reservation.

Around Thanh Ha Terracotta Park (Thanh Ha Pottery Village)

Main article: Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Thanh Ha Fish Market

From 4 am, fishermen and their boats dock at Thanh Ha fish market to sell their catch – seafood. This is the nearest fish market in Hoi An. Early risers can stop here to see the diversity of local fishes and slices of local life before going further inside the village. It’s located under the bridge at the village’s entrance (crossroad: Duy Tan St – Hung Vuong St).

Nam Dieu Communal House

This communal temple was constructed in mid-17^th century, to worship Tien hien – the founders of the village and Hau hien – the important contributors for the village. It overlooks the river and has a big, old banyan tree in its yard. On the 12nd day of the 2nd and 8^th lunar months (spring and autumn respectively), ceremonies take place here.

Pottery Making Workshops

Of course, visitors come to Thanh Ha village to join a pottery making class (workshop) with local artisans. Around it, villagers welcome to visit their house and then the experience starts. Just need to show the entrance fee of the village (not terracotta park) because the class/experience is included already.

Guided Tour to Thanh Ha Pottery Village

The Hoi An countryside tour (or Hoi An villages tour) includes Thanh Ha pottery village and the experience in making pottery here. After arriving at the village, the guide will show its historical sites and local artisan’s houses that are tucked away in peaceful laneways. By the river, members of a family with 4 generations making pottery, teach visitors how to create a favourite object.

In the rest of this guided tour, travelers have the chance to be a farmer and do farming works like a local in Tra Que vegetable village. At the next destination – Coconut village, the basket boat ride around the palm forest is a thing not to miss. It’s from 30 to 60 minutes. In total, this countryside tour is a half-day.

To book, please text us in whatsapp number +84968009827.