When it comes to the Far East, one of their top exports is ceramics. It is a known fact across the world that ceramics and China go hand in hand. The countries of Asia pioneered the manufacture of ceramic items to that of an art form that has fascinated foreign nations for centuries, and will continue to do so for many centuries to come. Despite their prevalence in international culture, the history of eastern ceramics is overlooked by many. Enter the Museum of Trade Ceramics in Hoi An, Vietnam, a one-stop place where you can learn all you need to know about the heritage of eastern ceramics and the art of crafting fine porcelain.
The museum is located a short distance from the Anantara Hoi An Resort, which is a hotel in Hoi An Vietnam that has a UNESCO heritage site at its doorstep. The museum was built in 1975, utilizing a building that is almost as historical as the museum itself, for its beautiful traditional Vietnamese architectural style. The building is a two-storey masterpiece containing a courtyard and an anteroom that is readily accessible to the public. The location of Hoi An is perfect for such a museum because, although it is currently a fishing port, it used to be a major trade-hub for pottery from a range of nations including China, Japan and even the Middle-East. Most of the four hundred and thirty priceless artifacts were found in Hoi An itself, but some were discovered from sources such as wrecked ships and archeological excavations. Some of the most priceless and noteworthy specimens the museum contains include pottery from Chinese Tang dynasty that ruled in the seventh and tenth centuries, along with middle eastern specimens from the same era, as well as some specimens from Vietnam from the not so distant past.
So if you happen to be considering a vacation to Vietnam, the Museum of Ceramics in Hoi An is a locale that is sure to be on your repertoire.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
