Bau Truc pottery: Where Cham heritage takes shape in clay

Located just a few hundred metres from National Highway 1, Bau Truc pottery village in Ninh Phuoc commune, Khanh Hoa province is home to around 151 potters, two cooperatives and more than 100 production facilities and pottery businesses, according to local figures. The village remains an important centre for preserving and promoting the Cham community’s traditional craft. Photo: Doan Si

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Passed down through generations, Bau Truc pottery reflects a close relationship between traditional knowledge, artisanal skill and creative expression. Alongside making vessels and household items, local artisans continue to develop new designs and products to meet contemporary tastes. Photo: Doan Si

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Cham women shape Bau Truc pottery entirely by hand, without using a potter’s wheel. Moving around the clay as they work, they press and shape it from the inside while smoothing the outer surface, transforming raw earth into unique works of art. Photo: Doan Si

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Free-flowing patterns and natural colours give Bau Truc pottery its distinctive character. The pieces are traditionally fired in open-air kilns, while mineral-rich materials and traditional firing techniques create earthy shades and varied surface effects. Each piece reflects the close connection between the craft, the natural environment and Cham cultural identity. Photo: Doan Si

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In 2022, UNESCO inscribed the Art of pottery-making of Cham people on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The inscription has drawn greater attention to the need to protect the craft and support the communities and artisans who keep it alive. Photo: Doan Si

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The inaugural Bau Truc Cham Pottery Festival in Ninh Phuoc Commune takes place from October 10 to 12, 2026. It aims to honor the value of the Bau Truc Cham pottery craft, as well as the artisans who preserve this tradition through their own skilled hands, dedication, and creativity. Photo: Doan Si

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Artisans participate in the first Cham pottery craftsmanship competition in Ninh Phuoc Commune, Khanh Hoa Province. The event encourages practitioners to share their skills, strengthens community pride and promotes the transmission of traditional techniques to younger generations. Photo: Doan Si

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From shaping the clay to firing the finished pieces, every stage of pottery-making reflects the artisans’ intimate knowledge of the earth and its natural properties. The craft embodies an enduring relationship between people, nature and the cultural landscape in which the tradition developed. Photo: Doan Si

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Visitors explore Bau Truc pottery village, where they can discover traditional ceramic products, observe artisans at work and experience the living heritage of the Cham community. Photo: Doan Si