The Phu Yen carpentry village has a history spanning hundreds of years, renowned for its exquisite household furniture, tables, chairs, altars, and religious artifacts, bearing the distinctive mark of the traditional craft of the Doai region. Despite numerous historical changes, its traditions have been preserved and passed down from generation to generation, a continuous flow of culture.
According to Mr. Tran Van Son, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Nghia commune, currently nearly 400 households in the village are engaged in carpentry, with more than 100 medium and small-scale workshops, providing stable employment for hundreds of local workers. Encouragingly, among them are dozens of young workshop owners, aged 25 to 35, who are inheriting the traditional craft in a creative and professional way.
One of the outstanding young people working in the traditional wooden house construction industry is Nguyen Huu Hieu (born in 1993), owner of Nguyen Hieu carpentry workshop.
Starting from a small carpentry workshop, he invested in modern machinery, used 3D design software, and boosted product promotion through social media and e-commerce platforms. After 4 years, his workshop has grown to 7 main carpenters and 10 seasonal workers, achieving an average revenue of 7 to 10 billion VND per year.
It's not just Mr. Hieu; many young people like Mr. Nguyen Chi Dat (born in 1993), owner of Chi Dat carpentry workshop, and Mr. Nguyen Quang Vu (born in 1990), owner of Quang Vu carpentry workshop, specialize in building traditional wooden houses and high-end furniture to serve people throughout the country.
"Working as a carpenter now isn't just about hunching over and chiseling. Young people like us have to keep up with trends, aesthetics, and utilize technology and marketing skills to stay competitive," Dat shared.
According to Mr. Nguyen Chi Tai, Chairman of the Phu Yen Village Craft Association, the younger generation has been the bright spot for the craft village in the last 5-7 years.
"I am very happy to see many young people returning to the craft. They are bringing technology into production, promoting products online, and using 3D design so that customers can visualize the designs beforehand. They are helping the Phu Yen carpentry craft stand firm in this new phase," Mr. Tai commented.
However, Mr. Tai also pointed out some shortcomings that the craft villages are currently facing, especially the fragmented and cramped production space.
“Woodworking workshops are often interspersed within residential areas, with machinery operating day and night, causing dust and noise, significantly affecting the lives of residents. We earnestly hope that the government will soon plan for a concentrated craft village cluster with synchronized infrastructure, cleanliness, and environmental friendliness,” Mr. Tai suggested.
On the local side, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Nghia commune, Tran Van Son, said that Phu Nghia commune will propose to the city to plan a concentrated cluster of craft villages to support households in developing stable and sustainable production. At the same time, the commune will coordinate with the Farmers' Association and the Youth Union to support young people's startup models through training courses, market connections, and digital transformation orientation.
Working in a traditional craft in a modern context, young people like Dat and Hieu are understandably concerned. “Preserving the soul of the craft is paramount, from the structure of the wooden houses and the patterns to the materials used. But if we don’t innovate in our methods, it’s easy to fall behind. I choose to maintain tradition in the craft, but innovate in my approach and management,” Dat explains.
Currently, Mr. Dat uses 3D design software to help customers easily visualize the product, thereby reducing editing time and increasing accuracy. Order management, materials, and production progress are tracked using Google Sheets or simple software. The workshop also invests in filming production videos and showcasing products on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, helping customers feel more secure and confident.
When asked about their future plans, the young entrepreneurs in Phù Yên had well-structured strategies.
“I want to invest in more machinery to support the rough work, thereby focusing on improving the quality of the carving, which is the soul of the product. I am also building my brand professionally, from the logo and branding to the communication content,” Mr. Vu said.
Committed to his hometown's traditional craft, Mr. Vu shared his expectations: "I hope the government will provide more specific support, from land planning to capital policies, market connections, and digital transformation. We need more motivation to stay committed to this profession in the long term."
He also hopes the community will have a more open and appreciative view of traditional crafts. "Many people think carpentry is old-fashioned and arduous, but in reality, if done properly and creatively, the craft can still thrive. When society respects those who practice this craft, we have more reason to preserve our national cultural identity."
It can be said that the combination of the essence of traditional craftsmanship and the innovative spirit of the younger generation is opening up a bright future for the Phu Yen carpentry village. The young people here have propelled traditional carpentry to a strong position in the modern era, creating sustainable value for their homeland.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/giu-lua-nghe-moc-phu-yen-post649371.html
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