Ceremony Celebrates UNESCO Acknowledging the Pottery Artistry of the Cham People

The event in Phan Rang – Thap Cham city was a significant occasion attended by President Vo Van Thuong and various central and local officials. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha delivered a speech, highlighting the UNESCO recognition as an affirmation of Vietnam’s cultural identity and its place in the world’s cultural heritage treasures. Additionally, he emphasized the acknowledgment of women’s role in modern society. Moving forward, this art form will now be regarded as a shared asset of humanity.

Meanwhile, with their industriousness and endless creativity, local residents have successfully cultivated a wide variety of high-yield grape varieties, transforming Ninh Thuan into a premier destination for experiential tourism. The biennial Grape – Wine Festival serves as a platform to honor farmers, entrepreneurs, and scientists while also seeking opportunities to promote Ninh Thuan’s grapes and wine brands both domestically and internationally. This festival aims to establish these products as symbols of cultural identity for the province. To achieve this, Deputy Prime Minister Ha urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Ninh Thuan to develop detailed action plans for preserving and utilizing tangible and intangible cultural heritage, improving the quality of life for residents, and creating a culturally rich community atmosphere. He also called on all levels of government, sectors, and society as a whole to work together in safeguarding UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage and other cultural values, ensuring that Vietnam’s traditional cultural values continue to flourish and contribute to global culture.

On this occasion, he also expressed gratitude for the valuable assistance provided by international friends in Vietnam’s efforts to preserve and promote traditional cultural values.

The celebration of receiving the UNESCO certificate and the Grape-Wine Festival 2023 will take place from June 13 to 18. The event will feature 12 special cultural, sports, and tourism activities at the provincial level, as well as various other events at the district level throughout Ninh Thuan.

President Thuong also visited artisans and residents of Bau Truc, an ancient pottery village in Phuoc Dan township of Ninh Phuoc district, on June 15.

Cham pottery products encompass a wide range of household utensils, religious objects, and exquisite fine art pieces. These items, such as jars, pots, trays, and vases, are crafted by skilled women who draw upon the collective knowledge of their community. Rather than using a traditional turntable, these women carefully rotate around the clay piece to shape it with precision and artistry. The pottery itself is not glazed but is instead fired in outdoor kilns using firewood and straw. This firing process typically lasts seven to eight hours and reaches temperatures of approximately 800 degrees Celsius. All the necessary materials, including clay, sand, water, firewood, and straw, are sourced locally. The tradition of Cham pottery is passed down through generations within families, with younger members learning from experienced artisans through hands-on practice.