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THE HAU RIVERSIDE BRICK MAKING VILLAGE

THE HAU RIVERSIDE BRICK MAKING VILLAGE

Witnessing the images of red burning brick kilns along the canal’s shores and of the daily life of the brick workers is really an amazing experience. 

ALONG SIDE THE COLORFUL CANAL 

We departed very early from Ninh Kieu Quay at 6 a.m to the Cai Rang Floating Market by boat. We are into the floating market to explore the way local people there exchange the product right on their boats. Then our boat turn into small and long canals for enjoying the peaceful environment there, get to know more about the daily life of local people along the way. Upon arrival Thuong Thanh Temple, we start the cycling trip along the Hau Riverside to explore the authentic Mekong region. On the road, we visit and explore many places such as: rice-hulling factory, winemaking kiln, smithery, etc. After that, we come back the boat and waiting for the opening time to see the brick making process in the kilns. It takes about 20minutes downstream Hau River to brickyards by boat. We go through a small creek with beautiful overhanging coconut trees. Lives from both sides of the creek can be observed.

Facing us is main stream of the Hau River with the red brick towers along the one side of Hau River. The other side of the river, across from brickyard is Can Tho Bridge where is one of the most important in the city of Can Tho tourist attractions. Brickyards stand side by side as if the ancient fortresses. On the river, boats full of red bricks and yellow rice husks cleave the waves. This area is considered headquarter of Hau river pottery village.

OF GREAT FRIENDLY WORKERS 

We visit a brickyard where bricks are going to come out of kiln. This seems to be the busiest time for the workers here. Different kinds of bricks need different time to be done so they are heated in different sectors.

Owing to the conveyors, works in a brick kiln seems to be a bit easier. The workers are all so friendly. Despite being overwhelmed with works, they guided us to go to the kiln to take photos enthusiastically. Inside the kiln, hot air and dirt made us breathless after just a few minutes. However, thanks to them, gleams from the roof of the kiln look more magical. That was the scene that I took a lot of pictures about. Those workers were also willing to serve as the reluctant models in our pictures and proudly shared with us about the typical red of the clay in Hau River after being heated.

Then, we visit another place. It was one of the largest workshops producing ceramics in the region where specializes in making pottery products for export.

In this brickyard, we had a chance to witness directly the process of transferring from the grey clay into ceramic products. By the skillful hands of the workers and the turning tables, numerous special products are formed, ranging from some lovely pets to the sophisticated houses. After being dried in the sunlight, they are heated in the kiln and then transported worldwide. Standing behind the brick kiln and see through the other shore of the river, the sun in red downing behind the brickyard walls caught our eyes. That was such an unforgettable scenery that makes me always long for coming back to this brickyards whenever I can.