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Le Thi Hanh Nguyen
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The “Đất nung Lê Đức Hạ” brand, led by People's Artisan Lê Đức Hạ, is one of the remaining projects dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of his homeland. However, few people are aware of the hardships and quiet dedication that he and his team have endured to create meaningful products that carry the essence of their homeland far and wide. These terracotta pottery items, which may seem unfamiliar at first glance, are in fact deeply familiar and simple—yet they embody the grandeur of the Champa cultural legacy.
Terracotta is a modern, vibrant profession with immense potential, rather than merely an old tradition destined to fade away.
For 35 years, my family has crafted terracotta at the Le Duc Ha Terra Cotta Workshop in Điện Bàn, Quảng Nam. I've always cherished its unique textures and natural colors. Yet, in Vietnam, terracotta is perceived as inexpensive, unfinished, and monotonous.
After graduating from RMIT, I joined Tropical Space Architecture, renowned for award-winning, sustainable clay brick buildings. I realized how a simple material like clay could be transformed into both durable bricks and delicate artworks. It showed me how the rustic beauty of raw materials, explained the aesthetic of our terracotta products and my father's creations.
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In 2016, we collaborated with Tropical Space to build the Terra Cotta Studio. This became my father's sanctuary, a gallery where his life's work truly belonged, allowing visitors to connect with the soul he poured into each piece. The pandemic presented immense challenges. With quarantines and social distancing, our business faced unprecedented difficulties.
With wholesale and hotel markets closed, e-commerce became our only option, despite the fragility of our products. Shipping breakages were a major hurdle, but we tackled it head-on, improving packaging and offering a warranty for breakage in shipping. We launched a new website and opened shops on Facebook, Shopee, Lazada, and later, TikTok.
There were moments I feared we'd have to close the workshop. But keeping our doors open and providing work for our staff throughout the pandemic remains our proudest achievement. With the knowledge and inspiration from RMIT, I want more than just an online shop. I felt a deeper purpose, a more meaningful journey ahead for our business.
In 2022, we planned a new workshop to improve staff working conditions and offer visitors an immersive experience. With Tropical Space's continued support, the Terra Cotta Workshop opened in 2023. Embracing traditional craft tourism, we now welcome visitors, organize workshops for students.