Mr. Mong with his unique miniature boat and canoe product. Photo: PHUONG LAN
Mr. Chín Mỏng's workshop, specializing in building miniature boats and canoes, is accustomed to receiving reporters and journalists who come to learn about his craft. This craftsman, over 50 years old, with dark skin, hands clearly showing the veins of his hands, and a distinctly Southern Vietnamese accent, has spent nearly 10 years transforming traditional three-leaf boats, rice boats, motorboats, sailboats, and ships into unique display models.
Mr. Mong prioritizes using mahogany wood to ensure the products are durable, beautiful, and resistant to termites, allowing customers to display them for a long time. He does the entire process himself, from estimating the dimensions to carving the details. While enjoying a sip of his afternoon tea, he resumed his work. Showing off a miniature sailboat, he said: “The smaller the boat, the more meticulous the carving is because the details need to be sharp. I can complete one product a day. Larger versions take more time.”
His entry into the craft was quite accidental. Previously, Mr. Mong specialized in building large boats and canoes. But after many years, business slowed down. In his free time, he tried building smaller-sized boats and canoes as a hobby, and unexpectedly, his products were very popular. So he has been dedicated to the craft ever since. His products come in various sizes, from 30cm and 40cm to those 2 meters long, priced from 250,000 VND to 2 million VND per piece. When he first started, he meticulously used a pen to draw each line on the wood before using the chisel and saw. But now, with his hands honed to perfection, he sketches entirely by instinct and accumulated experience over the years. Furthermore, he constantly researches the distinctive boat and canoe styles of the Mekong Delta, enriching his already extensive collection of models.
Thanks to referrals from acquaintances, customers come directly to his workshop to buy his products, eliminating the need for Mr. Mong to advertise widely. His work becomes busiest around the Lunar New Year, when his products are sought after as unique decorative items, bringing the spirit of his homeland and waterways to make living and working spaces more vibrant and closer to nature. "Making miniature boats and canoes looks easy, but it's difficult to do. It requires the craftsman to be skillful in every saw cut and chisel stroke. Although the products are modeled after larger boats and canoes, the level of sophistication must be high and accurate to the real proportions," Mr. Mong explained.
Pointing towards the rice-carrying boats and fishing boats, Mr. Mong explained, "The 'eyes' are the highlight to make the product look realistic. Therefore, after completing all the other stages, the craftsman begins to paint the 'eyes.' Depending on the type of boat, the 'eyes' will be different, round or flat. 'You could say the 'eyes' symbolize the soul of the ship, helping to ward off evil spirits, avoid risks at sea, and bring good luck and prosperity to the ship owner. Even though it's a miniature model, I pay close attention to this detail,' he added."
After years of perseverance in the profession, this work not only provides a stable income but also helps him maintain his spirit and not be afraid of competition. "I am very confident in my product because it is not only a labor of love and creativity but also a commitment to quality when customers place their trust in me," Mr. Mong expressed.
We were assured that the owners of these unique miniature boats and canoes will continue to create new "spiritual offspring," striving persistently to contribute to spreading the distinctive values of the Mekong Delta region.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/ghe-xuong-mini-dat-nho-tay-nghe-a471432.html
