Experiencing ASEAN countries’ culture is an annual activity of AWCH. On April 4, members of the group visited Bat Trang Pottery Village to have view of traditional ceramic making procedures and join the craftsman in their work.

During the tour, all members were introduced about the Bat Trang Pottery Village, the types of ceramic kilns , especially the gourd kilns and how to burn the products in the kiln.

After the introduction of Bat Trang Pottery Village, the types of kilns used to heat ceramic products such as frog kiln, string kiln, gourd kilns, gas kilns, etc.,were shown. In particular, the largest kiln called as “Lo Bau” can reach the maximum firing temperature. The kiln was built in the late nineteenth century using firewood to burn. The average temperature can reach from 1200 to 1300 degrees.

The members came inside the kiln.

All members learnt about the procedure of making pottery from preparing material to shaping, drying, cleaning, decorating, enameling, burning and finally finishing a product.

The final products were shown.

Then, people experienced making pottery products.

Before making the products, Bat Trang pottery artisans show the group how to make a pottery

Each member has their own clay, water and a turntable.

Then, everyone together start to"stroke and squeeze" the products as they wish.

The hand movement seems very professional like those hands of senior pottery artisans.

Different products were made.

Although some people shaped the products easily, it was difficult for the others. Two members of the group show their products after 20 minutes of making it.

Spouse of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, AWCH President Mrs. Tran Thi Bich Van (left) and Spouse of Indonesia Ambassador in Vietnam show their products together.

Spouse of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs - Nguyen Quoc Dung, AWCH Group Chairman Ms. Tran ThiBich Van (left) and Spouse of Brunei Ambassador in Vietnam showed their clay-covered hands after efforts to makepottery products.

Spouse of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Mrs. Hoang Thi Minh Ha smiled at the ceramic product she had just created.

After shaping the products, the members wrote their name on the turntable containing their products and took them to the next stage.

All member of AWCH were impressed by the visit to Bat Trang pottery village. The most interesting part of the activity is that the members of AWCH got an opportunity to see the pottery artisans making their products in real life, and to make the pottery by themselves as they wish./.