In today's fast-paced world, when technical marvels reign supreme, there is something irresistibly appealing about historical artifacts.
Traditional crafts, like the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam, possess a lasting allure. Among these crafts, pottery stands as a testament to the resilience of craftsmanship, reflecting the history and identity of many lands throughout the country.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these handmade creations hold a special place in people's hearts, connecting them tangibly to their roots and cultural heritage.
Vietcetera invites you to explore the story behind Oriental Rain Pottery, a brand born in Hue, and listen to the inspiring reflections of its founder. Through relentless effort, Oriental Rain breathes life into age-old techniques, preserving and promoting the legacy of Phuoc Tich ceramics.
A Dream In The Arid Fields Of Central Vietnam
Oriental Rain's pottery products, which debuted in June 2024, rapidly won the hearts of young people interested in ceramics and traditional handicrafts. Perhaps the simplicity of the products, along with the brand's heartfelt story connects to those who value heritage and local culture.
Few people know about Linh Tran, the founder of Oriental Rain, who spent a decade working in advertising agencies in Ho Chi Minh City. We met Linh one day at the Vietcetera office to hear fascinating stories of his "brainchild."
Linh's journey to discover his "ceramic dream" began eight years ago. At that time, he frequently considered leaving advertising to return to the Phuoc Tich pottery village in Phong Dien District, Thua Thien - Hue Province. Every trip brought different lessons—some good, some challenging—that finally transformed Oriental Rain into what it is today.
“When inspiration escapes me, I know it’s time to leave and explore. There were moments when I’d wake up at 5 a.m., pack my bag, and fly to Chiang Mai just to meet a production assistant at a well-known ceramics company. I listened to their stories, learned about their journey, and observed how they sustained their traditional craft,” Linh Tran shared.
Phuoc Tich is an ancient pottery village in Hue, where the land was once barren, but the pottery industry thrived. The village's ceramics were traded across Central Vietnam and even used to cook rice for the kings during the Nguyen Dynasty.
Beneath the surrounding fields lies a precious layer of clay, distinct from the soils of other pottery villages across Vietnam. This waterproof clay, with its signature brown hue, imparts a unique porcelain quality.
Oriental Rain was born from a "dream" that arose in the arid fields around Phuoc Tich, a historic craft land, and marked the start of a journey to create products that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
Crafting Timeless Stories From The Earth
For Linh Tran, Oriental Rain goes beyond perfection by appreciating the earth's rawness and simplicity. The natural environment is imbued in every piece, from the earthy tones to the speckled finish that covers each object. Oriental Rain respects the soil's inherent properties and preserves them as a core "personality" that the brand treasures.
Unlike the glossy, polished look of typical ceramics, Oriental Rain’s creations possess a quiet elegance. Though they use a variety of colors, these tones rest calmly over a brown base, creating a balance that feels both contemporary and anchored in traditional craftsmanship.
Touching one of Oriental Rain's ceramic pieces is like softly reaching into the past, recalling how elders once sat at wooden pottery wheels, delicately shaping each item by hand.
“Pottery is heavy, but people’s hearts are light. These ceramics aren’t meant to be precious decorations; they’re items used in everyday life, part of the home,” Linh Tran explained.
As society modernizes, the importance of tradition grows more pronounced. Traditions, whether from a village or an entire nation, play a key role in shaping identities, allowing us to recognize one another in an increasingly interconnected world.
At Oriental Rain, local identity comes alive through the stories conveyed in the products, from the design of the ceramics to the thoughtful packaging. While the designs and colors may feel fresh and new, there’s a subtle familiarity, a reflection of the cultural essence found in every Vietnamese home.
Beyond celebrating local heritage, the colors of Oriental Rain’s ceramic products echo the richness of nature, drawing inspiration from Vietnamese culinary philosophy rooted in yin and yang. Names such as “Sương muối” (Frost), “Thuỷ triều” (Tide), “Biển Đông” (East Sea), and “Bazan” reflect natural elements and phenomena, reinforcing a deep connection to the earth.
The color combination contains the philosophy of balance of the East, such as the brown color named "Father's Land" suggested by Oriental Rain combined with the blue color in the name "Biển Đông" in the correlation between Earth - Water, the turquoise color "Thuỷ triều" suggested combined with the orange color named "Bazan" in the correlation between a natural phenomenon of Water and a characteristic of Earth.
The color palette reflects Eastern philosophy, where balance is key. For instance, “Father’s Land,” a warm brown hue, is paired with the cool blue of “Biển Đông,” expressing the harmony between Earth and Water. Similarly, the blue of “Thuỷ triều” contrasts with the orange in "Bazan," symbolizing the relationship between water and soil.
Kneading Responsibility Into Every Creation
Oriental Rain’s dedication to traditional craftsmanship, combined with modern aesthetics, has not only resulted in timeless ceramic pieces but also fostered sustainable livelihoods and strong craft communities.
“Oriental Rain was born from a desire to pair my personal interests with beneficial societal contributions. Both economic and social values are equally important at Oriental Rain, influencing the partners we work with, the working environment we create, and the customers we serve,” Linh Tran noted.
Though a small startup, Oriental Rain maintains strict control over production, delivery, and packaging, assuring compliance with labor and environmental requirements. From the outset, the company has collaborated with partners committed to sustainable craftsmanship, sharing a mission to fulfill their responsibilities toward the environment and society.
The "Zero Pavilion" is a tribute to this devotion, acting as a venue for soil filtration and the start of zero-waste production methods - the first milestone in Oriental Rain's Net-Zero journey.
One of the brand’s most outstanding initiatives is the “Hue Local Spirit” project, a fund supporting creative economy development. This fund not only supports artisans in Thua Thien-Hue but also contributes to preserving traditional crafts and folk arts across Vietnam. The latest craft to benefit from this initiative is “Phỗng Đất Làng Hồ,” a folk art tradition from Bac Ninh.
As Linh Tran remarked, “Social responsibility is the foundation upon which Oriental Rain grows, like the bamboo tree”.
Translated by Thúy An