Crafting Clay Piggy Banks in Lai Thieu
The profession of creating cute and colorful clay piggy banks, closely associated with the childhood memories of many people, has been preserved and developed for nearly half a century in Lai Thieu (Binh Duong).
Lai Thieu is renowned as one of the leading clay piggy bank crafting locations both within and outside the country. The residents here have been connected to this trade for over 40 years. Many families began crafting clay piggy banks as far back as the 1970s, and they continue to nurture and expand this industry with a sense of pride.
In recent years, there has been a growing demand for clay piggy banks, which has led to a diverse range of attractive designs. As a result, Lai Thieu's clay piggy banks are gaining more attention, and they're even competing with items made from plastic or wood.
Nguyen Van Tuan, a clay piggy bank artisan from Lai Thieu, said: "My ancestors made pottery in the past, and later transitioned to crafting piggy banks. I followed in their footsteps and became a piggy bank craftsman myself. The craft is labor-intensive, doesn't yield a high income, and requires meticulous attention, causing many young people to switch to other jobs for their livelihoods. I have a deep affection for this profession and if I were to give it up, I would miss the scent of clay, the adorable creatures I shape and adorn, and the life I breathe into them".
The piggy banks made by Nguyen Van Tuan's family are crafted from clay, poured into molds, and then fired. After firing, the piggy banks are brought outside to bask in the sun and finally painted and decorated. Currently, Nguyen Van Tuan produces an average of 80,000 piggy banks per month for the domestic market and exports to markets in Cambodia and Laos. After deducting expenses, each piggy bank yields a profit of 3,000 - 4,000 dong (0.12-0.16 US dollars) per piece.
In addition to pig-shaped creations, Tuan’s family also crafts various animal forms, fruits, and especially the mascot for each Lunar New Year.
Le Thi Thu Suong, owner of the Thu Suong Clay Piggy Bank Workshop in Lai Thieu, reveals that her family has been making piggy banks for generations, and the crafting process has become second nature. "Even though I'm almost 60 years old, I still enjoy the craft to preserve our ancestral legacy. Presently, there are only 19 households left engaged in piggy bank crafting in Lai Thieu".
The price of each Lai Thieu piggy bank varies based on size and design, typically range from 7,000 to 10,000 dong (0.29-0.41 US dollars) per piece at retail, while wholesale prices for traders hover around 4,000 dong (0.16 US dollar) per piece. Among various piggy bank types, the most sought-after is the golden piggy bank, which commands a higher price than the normally painted ones.
The artisanal products from this crafting village are distributed to provinces such as Tien Giang, An Giang, as well as the southwestern and southeastern regions of Vietnam. Additionally, they are exported to markets in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. During the start of the new school year (September annually) or on occasions like Lunar New Year, the Lai Thieu piggy bank crafting village experiences its highest sales.
Vibrantly colored piggy banks are highly favored by customers:
