Having disappeared from the market for 40 years, the pottery products ofthe historic handicraft village of Phuoc Tich in Hue City hasbeen revitalised by local artists.

Artists Vo Xuan Huyand Le Ba Cang of the Hue University of Arts have just completed theirlong-term project to conduct research and produce traditional potteryproducts similar to those originating from Phuoc Tich.

After three years of working with local ceramic makers, they finallyproduced 150 newly baked products in a traditional way. All productshave strong and vivid colours.

This is their first experimental batch of pottery products, but the artisans are surprised at the quality items.

"The success of our project will help revitalise our village's traditional trade," said Huy.

Located 40km north of Hue, Phuoc Tich is well-known for its traditionalpottery crafts, old houses (nha ruong) and temples that have beenpreserved for as long as 500 years.

In its heyday under the Nguyen Dynasty, Phuoc Tich's pottery products were famous, supplying the entire central region.

Boats and ships from Nghe An, Quang Tri, Quang Nam , Quang Ngai andQuy Nhon provinces and also from southern areas sailed to the village tobuy pottery products.

Phuoc Tich's pottery has no enamelbut a simple and natural beauty. Since the 1980s, the craft began fadingand then vanished as it could not compete with Chinese ceramics. Manylocal young artisans moved to big cities to be involved in differentbusinesses to earn money.
Local authorities are encouragingand supporting local artisans in an effort to revitalise the village'straditional trade. /.