From Memory Complex to Heritage Tourism Practices Linked With the Bien Hoa Ceramics Ecosystem, Dong Nai, Vietnam

Abstract

Across diverse geographical regions globally, the art of pottery has been intricately linked with the historical development of humanity. The Bien Hoa pottery tradition, despite its relative youth, embodies significant historical, utilitarian, symbolic, and unique aesthetic values that resonate with the Vietnamese ethos of creative labor. These values, encapsulated within a memory complex, require careful unpacking to fully appreciate and elevate the legacy of Bien Hoa's ceramic heritage. This research posits that one effective method to disseminate and augment the heritage value of Bien Hoa ceramics involves harnessing the intrinsic worth of traditional craftsmanship in conjunction with practices of heritage tourism. With the objective of forging spaces for heritage tourism experiences tied to the Bien Hoa ceramics craft, the study delineates: i) the process of unraveling the memory complex tied to the Bien Hoa ceramics ecosystem; ii) preliminary explorations aimed at enriching the Bien Hoa ceramics ecosystem's value through heritage tourism endeavors.