VietNam
With its long history, well-preserved manual pottery-making techniques, and valuable indigenous knowledge, Thanh Hà Pottery Village stands out as a distinctive cultural tourism destination. Experts have praised it as a model of craft village tourism and community-based tourism in Vietnam, attracting large numbers of domestic and international visitors for exploration and hands-on experiences.
Before the implementation of the two-tier administrative model on July 1, 2025, tourism activities in Thanh Hà Pottery Village were managed by the former Hội An City People’s Committee, with participation from the former Thanh Hà Ward People’s Committee and the former Hội An Center for Culture, Sports, Radio and Television (now the Hội An Center for the Conservation of World Cultural Heritage). The local community also plays an active role, with 33 households and 68 workers, including 5 Meritorious Artisans directly involved in pottery production and tourism activities. Revenue generated from guided tours is reinvested mainly in preserving and promoting the village’s cultural and historical values, upgrading tourism infrastructure and landscapes, and especially ensuring fair payment for artisans and workers, which accounts for 62.5% of total retained tourism revenue.
The Vietnam Tourism Awards, organized annually by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, honor outstanding tourism enterprises, organizations, and educational institutions that make significant contributions to the development of Vietnam’s tourism industry, thereby affirming its role in the national economy. This year’s awards ceremony was held on World Tourism Day (September 27) with the theme of promoting sustainable tourism transformation initiated by the UN Tourism, aiming for a fair, responsible, and environmentally friendly tourism industry.
The recognition of Thanh Hà Pottery Village as the “Best Community-Based Tourism Destination” is not only a source of pride for the village itself but also a strong affirmation of the right approach in developing community-centered craft village tourism. It highlights the importance of generating value for local communities, fostering sustainable tourism, preserving cultural heritage, encouraging community participation, and unleashing local creativity.
