Lê Ngọc Hân

Since the Ly dynasty, Vietnam had established seaports to facilitate trade activities. However, archaeological evidence suggests that it was not until the Tran dynasty (13th-15th centuries) that Vietnamese ceramics were officially exported abroad. This period marks the beginning of the robust development of the ceramic export industry, which became closely linked to the foreign trade activities of Dai Viet. Notably, kilns in the northern regions, particularly in Hanoi, Nam Dinh, and Hai Duong, flourished during this time. This era also witnessed significant innovations in ceramic production, especially in the development of various glazes, with creativity surpassing that of previous periods. It can be said that this was the period when Dai Viet ceramics achieved their greatest richness and diversity in glazes in the history of feudal ceramic craftsmanship.

 

These changes were not solely a result of policies enacted by the Tran dynasty, but were also heavily influenced by shifts in the international market, particularly the maritime ban imposed by the Ming dynasty. This ban provided a significant opportunity for Vietnamese ceramics to enter other dynamic markets in the region.

Not only did Tran ceramics satisfy domestic consumption needs, but they also became one of the key export commodities of Dai Viet. Archaeological discoveries of Tran ceramics, ranging from royal palace sites, trading ports, to burial sites within Vietnam, demonstrate the importance of these ceramics in the domestic market.

 

Furthermore, ceramics of this period have been found at several archaeological sites in Japan, Indonesia, and on the Turiang shipwreck, highlighting that Vietnamese ceramics not only met domestic demands but also played a pivotal role in international maritime trade routes, connecting Dai Viet with major trading partners such as China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.