According to a legend, the village was first called as Bach Tho Phuong before its name was changed into Bat Trang Phuong. People in the village remember in their memory that the place of their origin Bo Bat Village (or called Bach Bat Village), Yen Mo District, Ninh Binh Province.

People cannot help talking about Bat Trang, when they discuss about pottery of Vietnam. According to some archaeological documents, plenty of pottery items have been discovered at many old relics and monuments built in Ly Dynasty. Sir Nguyen Trai, a great politician, strategist, diplomat and poet, wrote in his Du Dia Chi Book at the beginning of Le Dynasty that Bat Trang used to provide 70 sets of bowls and plates as tribute paid for China. This fact proves that pottery items were very sophisticated in the past. At present, pagodas and temples in Vietnam still have carefully-carved incense burners and lamp stands, which were made in the 16th century (for example Boi Khe Pagoda in Ha Tay Province).

Besides, some materials indicate that Bat Trang pottery items appeared in 16th and 17th centuries. Based ourselves on that information, we estimate that Bat Trang Pottery Village was founded as a handicraft village at the edge of Thang Long City more than 500 years ago. Lying next to the bank of Red River surrounding the capital city, and along with readily access of river transportation, Bat Trang soon became a significant industrial and commercial center. A long time ago, the area was rich in numerous deposits of white clay necessary for production of ceramic wares. These factors enabled the Bat Trang ceramic craft to flourish and its products were widely circulated to other regions of the country.

Following terrestrial discoveries in Asia in the early 17th century, many European countries rushed to the Far East to set up bases for commerce trading. Vietnamese ceramic industry has ceaselessly prospered throughout the length of history, especially during the Mac's reign. Multiple shipments of ceramics have been exported to Japan where the Bat Trang styles have been enthusiastically adapted by local kilns as "Kochi (Giao Chi) ware". Dutch, English and Portuguese merchants purchased Vietnamese ceramics in the hundred of thousands to resell in Malaya, Sumatra and Bangal.

Bat Trang pottery items have been circulated nationwide as well as in many foreigna countries. Of which, the most precious pottery items, which have been famous in Vietnam and in the world, are pottery items with gem enamel (in Ly and Tran Dynasties), pottery items with brown enamel (by the end of Tran Dynasty and at the beginning of Le Dynasty), pottery items with crazed enamel (in Le-Trinh

Dynasty) and pottery items with deep blue flowered enamel (by the end of Le Dynasty and at the beginning of Nguyen Dynasty). In the past centuries, Bat Trang pottery items were considered as high-ranking, precious and rare ones. In order to satisfy the demand of the market, Bat Trang Pottery Village makes many family use items from baked clay. Besides, plenty of potteries items with various kinds and designs make us admire the skill of craftsmen in Bat Trang Pottery Village, where there are people who make soil and fire change into gem enamel for life.

Every year, Bat Trang provides large quantity of ceramic wares for both domestic and export markets. New designs and models as well as reproductions of ancient styles and glazes are very well received by art connoisseurs everywhere. The Bat Trang Ceramic Village has been attracting more and more visitors coming here to have a look and buy products as interesting souvenirs or to establish trading relationship.

Characteristics of Bat Trang Ceramic Wares

Ceramic archeologists and researchers have believed that Trang ceramic wares were dated from the 14th to the 19th century. Terms are divided into three groups of ware of different features and styles:

Utilitarian wares consist of plates, bowls, teacups, kettles, wine bottles, flowerpots and vases. These types of wares have a thicker and heavier body compared to the Chinese ceramics. The utilitarian wares are mainly covered with ivory, moss green or brown glaze. Popular designs used on utilitarian wares were sacred and ordinary animals such as dragons, phoenixes, tortoises, horses, tigers, birds, floral scrolls, and landscapes.

Cult wares are comprised of lamp stands, candle holders, incense burner and altar boxes. These types of Bat Trang ceramics were produced predominantly for needs of religion. Many of these pieces, especially the lamp stands, carried intricate molding applied around the body. Bat Trang cult wares are famous for their elaborate design and meticulous crafting.

Decorative objects comprise of house models, altars, statues and architectural fixtures. These objects usually carried very complex designs of mythical and religious themes. Bat Trang tiles and architectural fixtures were used in the construction of the imperial court in Hue in the early 1800's.