Everyone knows that to build great works, a foundation of bricks is indispensable. However, it is unclear where the bricks come from and how they are produced. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to travel to the Mekong Delta, especially to Vinh Long, you will encounter traditional ceramic brick-making villages along both sides of the river. And Vinh Long ceramic brick village, located next to the romantic rivers, is one of the most famous ones in the region. 

Overview of Vinh Long Ceramic Brick Village

Among the brick- and tile-making villages along the Mekong Delta River, the area along the Co Chien River in Vinh Long province has the longest history. The ceramic brick is located in Vinh Long province, stretching for more than 30km along the poetic Co Chien River.

Vinh Long Ceramic Brick Village
Vinh Long Pottery Village (source: collected)

The largest number of households participating in brick production is concentrated in Nhon Phu commune, Vinh Long province.

What’s special about Vinh Long Ceramic Brick Village?

Separated from the main branch of the Mekong River, the two branches of the Tien River and the Hau River run throughout the South, bringing millions of cubic meters of fertile alluvium to this vast delta. This volume of alluvium is not only a source of nutrients for rice fields or fruit gardens in four seasons, but also forms valuable primary clay mines. 

This primeval clay mine is a great raw material to create products used in construction and decoration such as fired bricks, ceramics, etc. Through the craftsman’s skilled hands, rough pieces of clay become useful products. 

Vinh Long Ceramic Brick Village
Source: collected

The quality of bricks in Vinh Long was so famous that traders from as far as Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia came to buy them and used them to build religious works with original red rustic bricks. 

At Mang Thit Brick Kiln, visitors not only have the opportunity to check in and take photos but also to learn about the brick-making process. The raw clay is transferred from the boat to the workshop, then sorted and mixed with different techniques, which determines the success of the batch. After the mixing process, workers have to knead it repeatedly until the clay becomes smooth and no longer sticks to their hands.

Vinh Long Ceramic Brick Village
Source: collected

The next step is to pour the clay into the mold, which is different from the usual way of shaping by hand. After being removed from the mold, the raw product will be refined and polished with a wet sponge. This step makes the patterns and textures of the baked goods more detailed and sophisticated, increasing their value.

Vinh Long Ceramic Brick Village

After that, workers will bring it to the drying area. The bricks are neatly arranged in the sun for about 5 days to reduce moisture and increase hardness, preventing deformation before entering the kiln. Bricks are burned with rice husks, with very careful inspection and fire monitoring. To ensure the bricks are ‘cooked’ just right, each kiln holds about 15,000 bricks, baked for 15 days to produce the finished product.
Vinh Long Ceramic Brick Village
During the firing period, the brickmaker must constantly monitor the fire to ensure the quality of the bricks. After firing, the kiln is left to cool, and then the products are removed. No need for coloring; the finished product has a distinctive red color. That’s the reason why the village is well known as the “kingdom of red pottery”.
Vinh Long Ceramic Brick Village
Source: collected

Useful information about Vinh Long Ceramic Brick Village

Source: collected by An

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