Traditional pottery village busy preparing for Tet
As the New year of Ox is coming, the kilns in Tan Uyen town are busy producing pottery buffaloes and traditional products.
![]() |
As Tet coming, the pottery kilns in Tan Vinh Hiep commune, Tan Uyen town are busy producing traditional pottery buffalo. At the pottery workshop of Mrs. Nguyen Hong Hop, the staffs are busy pouring soil into the mold to shape the buffalos. For nearly 20 years, Ms. Hop's family rented a land area of about 2,500 m2 to live and build a pottery workshop. Her brothers also left their hometown in Thai Nguyen to work here. The pottery workshop operates all year round but is busiest at the time of the Lunar New Year. Every day, Mrs. Hop's workshop produces about 1,500 products. (Photo: VN Express) |
![]() |
"Every year is just similar to each other. Every four months before Tet, I set the frame for the kind of folk animal of the next year." (Photo: VN Express) |
![]() |
After more than an hour of sun drying, the buffalo was formed and removed from the mold, then dried again for another two hours before being placed in the furnace. Every day, the workshop uses up nearly a ton of raw clay. In the sunny midday, Mrs. Mien and the workers at the factory used wheelbarrows to move the buffaloes that had been dried into the warehouse. "I will use a knife to cut off the excess so that it will stay smooth and in shape," said the 63-year-old woman. (Photo: VN Express) |
![]() |
An employee in the workshop is in charge of the kiln's heat. On average, a kiln can heat 3,000 products per day. Workers in the pottery kilns in Tan Uyen town mainly come from northern provinces such as Thai Nguyen, Hanoi, Hai Duong ... and work on the Tet holidays. (Photo: VN Express) |
![]() |
Mr. Ma Chien Quang brought out a basket of piggy bank and buffalo after more than 10 hours of burning in the kiln. "A qualified product must be of high hardness, not burn black or chipped when heated. Every day, there are cars coming to pick up the goods as soon as they come out of the kiln", Mr. Quang said. (Photo: VN Express) |
![]() |
Most raw products will be brought to the processing factories in Thuan An city (Binh Duong) for decoration. Mr. Phuoc, the driver, said that each day he has to drive about 100 km to carry 4,000 products, divided into two shipments to the factory. (Photo: VN Express) |
![]() |
At the workshop of Mrs. Vo Thi Thanh Ha in Lai Thieu ward, every day about 2,000 pigs and buffalo are imported. Staffs are busy painting and decorating on each product to deliver. (Photo: VN Express) |
![]() |
The paint commonly used to paint the products is powder coating because it has a firm grip and dries quickly. The painter once finishes the painting, will coat the golden buffalo with glitter. According to Ms. Ha, the most difficult part is drawing the buffalo's eyes, nose, and horns because it requires high skills to create soulful products. (Photo: VN Express) |
![]() |
This year, the village makes two types of buffalo, which are different in size. Both types are covered with iridescent yellow color. (Photo: VN Express) |
![]() |
The owner of the workshop arranged the large golden buffaloes in a corner so that the paint can dry. The large golden buffalo, which is decorated with exquisite sophistication, has a price of 30,000 VND (1,3 USD) (Photo: VN Express) |
![]() |
In a corner of the workshop, every day Mrs. Ha, who has been in the profession for more than 10 years, draws each piggy bank, buffalo in gold paint.(Photo: VN Express) |
![]() |
Close to Tet, every day, many traders go to factories in Lai Thieu ward to collect pigs and buffaloes for sale in Ho Chi Minh City. According to factory owners, their products are also exported to Laos and Cambodia. (Photo: VN Express) |
![]() | Exploring unique lunar New Year markets in Ho Chi Minh City Tet is the biggest and most important festival in Vietnam. Here the the unique lunar New Year markets in Ho Chi Minh City that have ... |
![]() | Northern Vietnam village busy braising thousands of fish pots as Tet draws near Locals in Hoa Hau commune, Ly Nhan district, northern province of Ha Giang are working round the clock to churn out thousands of braised black ... |
![]() | Four coffee shops with Tet holiday-themed decorations in Hanoi As Lunar New Year (or Tet) is approaching, plenty of coffee shops in Hanoi wear splendid garb with decorative items of red parallel sentences and ... |
Recommended

Vietnam’s AI Law to Require User Notification before AI Interactions
Internet users in Vietnam will be clearly informed before interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This is one of the important provisions in the draft Law on Artificial Intelligence by the Ministry of Science and Technology. It is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly by the end of 2025.
September 30, 2025 | 07:07

10 Vietnamese Films Set For Screening In US To Mark 30 Years Of Diplomatic Ties
The Vietnam Film Institute, authorized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will organize non-profit screenings of ten Vietnamese feature films and documentaries at Metrograph cinema in New York from October 18-31.
September 25, 2025 | 07:12

Time Out: Hanoi Among Most Beautiful Autumn Viewing Spots in Asia
The best time for autumn viewing in Hanoi is approaching, said Timeout.
September 23, 2025 | 14:15

Vietnamese Coffee Conquers Paris - More Than Just A Brew
For decades, espresso has stood as the emblem of French and European coffee culture. Yet in recent years, a new contender has been carving out its place - Vietnamese coffee. With its distinctive flavor, unique brewing method, and cultural roots, this drink is steadily winning over French consumers, especially the younger generation.
September 18, 2025 | 10:31

Belgium: Vietnamese Booth Leaves Strong Impression at ManiFiesta Festival 2025
Red-flagged shirts with yellow stars, badges bearing President Ho Chi Minh’s portrait, and photos of him smiling warmly all sparked curiosity and emotion, delighting many visitors at ManiFiesta Festival 2025.
September 16, 2025 | 08:15

Hanoi to Light Up the Sky with Six Fireworks Displays on National Day
From 9:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. on September 2, Hanoi will organize fireworks displays at six locations to celebrate the National Day, including a total of 3,600 high-altitude fireworks and 540 low-altitude racks.
August 26, 2025 | 08:05

How To Get Around And The Best Spots To View The 80th National Day Parade Rehearsal
Hotel bookings along the parade route are rising sharply. What do travelers need to know when coming to Hanoi for the rehearsal and National Day parade?
August 23, 2025 | 07:55

Airfares to Hanoi Soar Ahead of September 2 Holiday, Peaking Near VND 7 Million
Ahead of the September 2 National Day holiday, domestic airfares to Hanoi have spiked, with round-trip tickets reaching nearly VND 7 million.
August 13, 2025 | 07:05