Bau Truc Pottery Village (Khanh Hoa): From Heritage to a Vibrant Community Tourism Destination

(TITC) – On October 2, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism approved the project “Building a Heritage Model Connected with Tourism Itineraries to Develop Ethnic Minority Communities with Similar Heritages.” Under this plan, Bau Truc Pottery Village – home to the Cham people’s traditional craft in Ninh Phuoc Commune, Khanh Hoa Province – will be developed as part of a cultural tourism route linking Bau Truc Pottery Village with My Nghiep Weaving Village.

This initiative is a key component of Khanh Hoa’s action program to implement the national resolution on sustainable tourism development, aiming to harness the province’s cultural and traditional craft village potential to serve tourism effectively.

Preserving Heritage, Promoting Tourism

According to the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, Bau Truc possesses tremendous potential for community-based tourism development, thanks to its rich cultural values, talented artisans, and strategic location on the South Central region’s cultural–island–craft village tourism route.

The newly approved community tourism model represents a strategic breakthrough – balancing heritage preservation with sustainable economic growth. Bau Truc will receive investment in essential infrastructure, including upgraded internal roads, improved lighting systems, a community house, an exhibition and OCOP product introduction center, and a pottery experience area. There will also be new stopovers and resting spaces for tourists, creating a more engaging and accessible visitor experience.

Funding for the project will come primarily from the central government’s budget, with contributions in labor, capital, and tourism services from local residents and businesses. The project’s overarching goal is to transform Bau Truc into a model community tourism destination, where visitors can “experience, learn, and feel” the living culture of the Cham people through the art of pottery.

Experiencing a Day as a Bau Truc Artisan

One of the most exciting features of the model is the experiential tourism product titled “A Day as a Bau Truc Artisan.” Visitors will be invited to shape clay by hand, carve traditional Cham patterns, light wood-fired kilns, and listen to artisans share stories about the history of the craft and the spiritual life of the Cham people.

This approach shifts tourism from mere sightseeing to immersive participation, offering travelers an authentic and memorable experience. Through direct involvement, visitors gain a deeper appreciation of the Cham community’s craftsmanship, creativity, and respect for nature.

A Step Toward Sustainable Cultural Tourism

The approval of the Bau Truc community tourism model highlights Khanh Hoa Province’s strong commitment to developing cultural tourism tied to heritage conservation. Once completed, the project is expected to not only protect the Cham people’s cultural values but also stimulate the local economy by generating new livelihoods for artisans and residents.

Bau Truc is envisioned as a place where heritage and modern tourism coexist – a living museum where the ancient pottery craft continues to thrive alongside modern tourism activities. With support from both government and local communities, the village is set to become a distinctive destination where visitors can feel the “breath of the earth, the soul of fire, and the heart of the Cham people.”

The Ancient Craft of Bau Truc Pottery

Bau Truc is one of the oldest pottery villages in Southeast Asia, renowned for its completely hand-shaped creations made without a potter’s wheel. Instead, artisans mold clay using simple tools and natural techniques passed down through generations. The pottery is then fired outdoors with firewood and straw, giving each piece its unique texture, natural hues, and organic patterns.

Beyond its artistic value, Bau Truc pottery embodies the spiritual harmony between humans and nature. Every process – from gathering clay to firing the kiln – is guided by rituals that express gratitude to the earth and the elements.

In November 2022, UNESCO recognized “The traditional pottery-making craft of the Cham people in Bau Truc Village” as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection, acknowledging its uniqueness and vulnerability amid modernization.

A Heritage Alive with Opportunity

With this project, Khanh Hoa is opening a new chapter for Bau Truc – where ancient craftsmanship meets modern tourism, and where visitors can engage with living heritage rather than merely observe it.

Bau Truc Pottery Village is more than a destination; it is a testament to cultural resilience, where the traditions of the Cham people continue to burn bright like the fire in their kilns – warming the hearts of travelers and preserving the spirit of Vietnam’s central coast for generations to come.

Tourism Information Technology Center