Pottery village and deep memories with President Ho Chi Minh

President Ho Chi Minh visited and spoke with Bat Trang villagers on February 20, 1959. (Photo from Ho Chi Minh Museum Archive)

Bat Trang village, located in Gia Lam district, Hanoi, had the honor of welcoming President Ho Chi Minh on February 20, 1959. As recalled by many villagers, wearing his simple khaki suit and rubber sandals, he personally visited several households and kindly inquired about the people's lives.

According to The World and Vietnam Report, speaking to villagers, President Ho Chi Minh, on behalf of the Party and Government, praised the contributions of Bat Trang villagers to the construction of the Bac-Hung-Hai irrigation project. He commended the people and reminded the cooperative members to pay attention to roads, transportation and tree planting to improve the environment.

During this visit, President Ho Chi Minh toured the Minh Chau Ceramics Cooperative, led by Phung Ngoc Oanh (later part of the Bat Trang ceramics factory).

According to Vu Van Vinh, the youngest cooperative member who had the honor of meeting President Ho Chi Minh, the President stopped to watch him print bowls manually. The President also encouraged him to continue studying and working hard to become a skilled craftsman and create better products. Afterward, the President addressed the cooperative members in the courtyard.

In his speech, he advised: "It is important to preserve and promote the traditional profession. Now, in addition to making ceramic products for domestic use, you must also produce ceramics for export."

Following President Ho Chi Minh's guidance, the members of the Minh Chau Cooperative made many innovations in the production of traditional ceramics. Many generations of artisans and skilled workers have upheld the village's craft traditions, adding to the proud history of Bat Trang village./.