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| Mr. Nhan’s pots accompany artistic bonsai creations |
Meticulous
Mr. Nhan’s journey into pot casting began with the exacting standards of a true bonsai enthusiast. He shared: “After nearly 20 years of passion for bonsai, I understand how important a pot is to those who love this art form. Sometimes, even when you find the perfect tree, you can search endlessly and still not find a suitable pot. That’s why I started experimenting and researching to make these pots myself”.
To create a handcrafted artistic pot, Mr. Nhan must go through multiple stages. “First, I need to determine the form, style, or type of bonsai that will be planted in the pot, then follow the customer’s requirements, or develop my own design to advise on the pot’s shape. Only then do I move on to the rough stages such as mixing materials, molding, and shaping. The final steps are polishing and coloring,” he explained.
Unlike mass-produced pots, Mr. Nhan’s products are entirely handmade. With his skilled hands, raw materials like cement and gravel are transformed into a variety of shapes from standard round, square, and rectangular designs to more artistic forms such as cloud-like silhouettes or soft oval contours. His pots also vary widely in size: some are just slightly larger than a fist, intended for mini bonsai, while others stretch up to three meters in length to accommodate large-scale bonsai works.
Mr. Nhan noted: “For me, regardless of size or shape, a bonsai pot serves as a pedestal that enhances the beauty of the tree. The more minimalist the pot, the more the bonsai, whether tree or stone, can express its beauty and stand out.”
Diverse designs
Instead of elaborate decorative patterns, Mr. Nhan focuses on clean lines, structural form, and precision in every stroke of the trowel. Along with minimalist shapes, the surfaces are carefully smoothed and finished in neutral tones such as gray, beige, black, and cream. This allows viewers to focus entirely on the form and posture of the bonsai.
Thanks to these distinctive qualities, his reputation has spread by word of mouth. What began as personal creations has gained recognition among bonsai enthusiasts in Hue and neighboring provinces. Notably, many award-winning bonsai displayed at spring flower festivals and national ornamental competitions have been presented in pots crafted by Nhan himself.
Mr. Nguyen Van Loc, a bonsai enthusiast with 25 years of experience in Thuan Hoa Ward, shared: “Nhan’s pots are both refined and understated, which helps highlight the artistic beauty of bonsai trees and rockeries. In addition, their durability, moisture retention, and drainage are excellent, supporting stable plant growth. In recent years, all of my award-winning bonsai have been paired with pots made by him”.
Currently, depending on size and complexity, Mr. Nhan’s handmade bonsai pots range from 60.000 VND to 6 million VND each. Regardless of price, durability and aesthetics remain his top priorities. Each year, he produces hundreds of pots, providing a stable income while fulfilling his creative passion. “For me, the joy multiplies when I see my creations accompanying bonsai artworks. I hope these pots will contribute to preserving and developing the beauty of bonsai culture in the former imperial capital”, Mr. Nhan said.