SAIGON’S BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE CEMENT TILE DISPLAYS

[Perhaps you’ve already enjoyed some great Saigon Street Food and not particularly worried right now about Where to Eat in Saigon. So, let us make a few suggestions about what to do Between Meals in Saigon]

A very special day can be spent in Saigon exploring some amazingly beautiful architectural examples of handmade cement tiles – made right here in Saigon.

Last year, 2011, when I helped three Vietnamese friends reestablish and energize one of Vietnam’s original cement tile manufacturing plants, I learned more than I thought I’d ever want to know about cement tiles. And in the process, I was treated to a fascinating insider’s look into Vietnam’s cement tile manufacturing business … and gained a new respect and appreciation for this classic art work.

What many folk may not be aware of, is that as France established itself as the premier manufacturer of cement tiles in the last century, it located much of its tile production in its then colony, Vietnam. Here it moved its best tile press equipment and trained a generation of Vietnamese tile pressers in the fine art of handmade cement tile production.

Here it also embellished government buildings, public squares, and commercial centers with magnificent and ornate cement tile.

Perhaps the premier example is readily accessible to visitors from central Saigon – the Saigon Post Office.

Magnificent Vietnam Cement Tiles at the Saigon Post Office

Or, walk across the street from the Post Office and take a peek inside Saigon’s Notre Dame.

Saigon’s Notre Dame

Cement Tile “carpet” at Gaya Interior Design, 1 Nguyen Van Trang Str, (corner of Le Lai,Dist.1)

WIKIPEDIA explains: “Originally decorative tiles, known as encaustic tiles, were prepared from a pigmented clay base then heated or fired in a kiln. Tiles made by this method were very popular and can still be seen widely in Europe, Latin America and the US. Following the discovery of Portland cement and development of hydraulic presses, cement tile, as we know them today is prepared without the use of clay or heating. Cement tile appeared in the late 19th century in the south of France. Several sources say the first tiles were made near the country’s first Portland cement plant. Around the turn of the 20th century, the tiles were very popular in the United States and were considered high-end floor covering. It was used in thousands of landmark public buildings and palaces.”

When the French left Vietnam in 1954, they left behind rich coffee plantations, excellent recipes for French baguettes, and the finest cement tile press machinery and the best tile pressers in the industry.

How Cement Tiles are Made

In Vietnam, cement tiles are made by hand – one at a time – by experienced and local apprentice tile makers. As such, each tile is unique and will have slight variations which establish its unique character, depth and charm. These tiles are made using a metal crafted pattern mold, mineral pigments, Portland cement and fine powdered aggregate. These basic ingredients are compressed using mechanical hydraulic presses – many original century-old French equipment preserved and restored to their original use. There is no glaze or kiln firing involved in cement tile production. Cement tiles are cured by water and air only –just like ordinary cement. Handmade cement tiles are considered by many as a “green product” – made from common ingredients found in nature and using extremely low consumption. Metal molds are made by mold crafters to reflect classic cement tile historical designs or newly created designed by architects and interior designers. The molds may be steel or copper grids forming the desired patterns. Pigment compositions, varying from soft subtle hues to vibrant bold colors, which will give each tile production its own unique look, are created by tile makers from a mixture of high quality white Portland cement, marble powder, fine sand, and natural mineral color pigments.

Production Process:

Tile pressers then begin the production process by securely setting the metal molds into a mold framework that will define the border size of the tile.

LAYER 1: The tile presser pours the first tile layer by hand – containing the desired powdered white marble / cement / pigment mix into each section of the pattern’s mold. This first layer is, in fact, the patterned top of the tile, now laying face-down in the mold. This layer is typically 1/8” (3mm) in depth.

LAYER 2: After the patterned color layer is poured, the metal pattern mold is removed carefully by hand. Next, a much drier cement / fine sand mixture is hand-sprinkled on top. This layer will draw moisture from the more moist patterned initial layer below when it is pressed. This layer is typically 1/8” (3mm) and provides a strong base for the first patterned layer.

LAYER 3: The third and final layer of cement / sand is poured in the mold and leveled to form what will become the bottom porous layer of the finished tile of a thickness necessary for installation integrity. This layer typically results in a full tile depth of 4/10” (10mm) for a standard 8” square tile. Finally, a metal plate, is placed on top and the tile is pressed using a hydraulic press using up to 2000 pounds per square inch. After completing the tile pressing, tile pressers carefully remove the new tile from the mold and moisten it to ensure the cement / sand mixture undergoes the chemical change necessary to produce the strongest concrete tiles. The tiles are then placed in drying racks. After the tiles are cured, a final inspection and fine-finishing by hand is done for each tile.

OK ~ So please enjoy your exploration of the amazing cement tile work found in Saigon. After a fun day, I’m sure you will have worked up a good appetite! And it will be time again to find the Best Places to Eat in Saigon !