Keeping the craft alive in every home.

BAC NINH - In the land of Bac Ninh, many traditional craft villages have persistently maintained and developed through the ups and downs of life. Behind this vitality are not only the skillful hands of the artisans but also the warm homes of many generations sharing a love for their craft and a desire to preserve the beautiful values ​​inherited from their ancestors.

The love for the profession has been passed down through generations.

Artisan Pham Van Thanh's childhood in Phu Lang pottery village (Phu Lang commune) was closely associated with clay, the potter's wheel, and the blazing kiln. Born into a family with generations of pottery makers, Mr. Thanh was taught each step of the craft by his grandparents and parents from a young age. Even now, at the age of 57, Mr. Thanh still remembers the days of learning at home how to knead clay, shape pottery, and waiting for each batch of products to come out of the kiln.

Artisan Tran Thi Thanh, wife of artisan Pham Van Thanh (Phu Lang commune), is shaping pottery.

What makes him proud is not only the distinctive eel-skin glazed pottery products bearing the Phù Lãng pottery brand, but also the fact that his entire family shares a love for the craft. His parents, even in their 80s, still diligently work in the workshop every day. His wife also comes from a family of artisans, so after getting married, the two of them continue to work together to preserve the traditional craft.

After finishing high school, both of his sons chose to stay in their hometown to continue the family business. Growing up by the pottery kiln, they became young artisans bringing many new ideas to traditional products. Today, each family member handles a different stage of the process. Some specialize in shaping and finishing the products; others create patterns; some develop the line of everyday pottery; and Mr. Thanh is in charge of the firing process. This not only improves product quality but also fosters a strong bond between generations within the family.

The pottery craft has gone through many difficult periods. There were times when demand was limited, raw materials were scarce, and many people abandoned the profession, but Mr. Thanh's family never considered giving up. This is because the craft is not only their livelihood but also a legacy passed down from their ancestors. Currently, the family's workshop produces thousands of products each month, from jars and vases to stupas and murals, which are widely sold throughout the country. The two pottery workshops provide regular employment for 15-20 local workers with decent incomes.

Mr. Thanh shared: "Pottery making is hard work, and sometimes sales are difficult, but my family has persevered in the craft. The happiest thing is that my children all love the profession and want to continue involved. I always think that I not only make products to sell but also have a responsibility to preserve the traditional craft passed down from our ancestors."

The family of Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Thi Oanh and Nguyen Huu Hoa (Thuan Thanh ward) makes Dong Ho folk paintings.

You may also like

Chi Lang Commune: Better service to the people through a two-tiered local government model.BAC NINH – The Party Committee of Chi Lang commune held a review meeting on one year of operation of the political system and local government at two levels. Ms. Tran Thi Van, Provincial Party Committee member and Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, attended.

Bac Ninh: 56 exemplary families honored in the "Reading Family - Bonding Through Love" competition.BAC NINH - The Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a ceremony to summarize and award prizes for the "Family Reading - Bonding Through Love" competition in 2026 and honored 56 families with outstanding entries.

Helping children protect themselves online.BAC NINH - Summer vacation is when students are on holiday, and the time spent using the internet, social media, and smart devices increases significantly. Besides the benefits for learning, entertainment, and connection, the online space also harbors many risks, making children targets for scammers.

In Dong Ho painting village (Thuan Thanh ward), the love for the craft is preserved through each woodblock print and folk color. Meritorious Artist Nguyen Huu Qua and Artist Nguyen Huu Hoa are the next generation in the family of the late Meritorious Artist Nguyen Huu Sam. From the age of 7 or 8, the two brothers learned the craft from their parents, starting with simple tasks like coloring and drying paintings. Gradually, the techniques of printing, color mixing, and adjusting the woodblocks were meticulously passed down.

In the family's current five-room house, hundreds of ancient woodblock prints and vibrant folk paintings are still on display, bearing witness to the enduring vitality of a renowned art form. Along with preserving the craft, family members are also striving to innovate and revitalize it.

Distinguished Artisan Nguyen Thi Oanh, the daughter-in-law of the family, has spent over half a century collecting, restoring, and creating many new painting designs. Drawing on traditional values, she has contributed to bringing Dong Ho paintings closer to the public both domestically and internationally. The female artisan shared: "What I hope is that Dong Ho folk paintings will continue to be cherished by younger generations. These handcrafted products also embody the philosophy of life, customs, and cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people. Therefore, our family always strives to both practice the craft and pass it on to our children and grandchildren."

Preserving traditional crafts in the modern era.

Walking through the craft villages of Bac Ninh today, it's easy to see that many traditional crafts survive thanks to the perseverance and collective efforts of families. These are places that nurture passion, pass on skills, and keep the flame of the craft burning brightly.

In Duong O village (Vo Cuong ward), the family of artisan Nguyen Van Thang has been dedicated to the craft of making Do paper for many years. Generations of the family have meticulously worked through the intricate handcrafted processes to create durable paper that can last for hundreds of years. Each step—soaking the Do bark, boiling, pounding, and shaping the paper—requires patience and long-standing accumulated experience. Like other households practicing this craft here, their motivation to persevere is not solely for profit, but rather a desire to preserve a part of their national cultural heritage.

Or take the example of the family of Mr. Duong Van Quang, a Cao Lan ethnic minority member in the mountainous commune of Luc Son. When only a few households in the village still made Do paper, he and his mother – Meritorious Artisan Trac Thi Ngon – quietly maintained the craft and dedicated their time to teaching it for free to local students, because preserving the craft means preserving the cultural identity of their community.

Today, many craft-making families in Bac Ninh not only preserve traditional techniques but also proactively innovate products, apply technology, build brands, and develop experiential tourism . This is how traditional crafts adapt to the new era while still maintaining their unique character.

In the ancient village of Thổ Hà (Vân Hà ward), the centuries-old craft of making spring roll wrappers has been passed down from generation to generation using unique secrets. This is also the result of the enduring bond between generations within families. Many households have three or four generations involved in production, from grinding the flour and making the wrappers to drying and packaging the finished product.

These stories demonstrate the crucial role families play in preserving traditional crafts. Within the family environment, young children are exposed to the craft, listening to their grandparents recount stories of the village, and being guided by their parents through each step. A love for the craft is thus naturally and firmly established. Without dedicated families committed to preserving these crafts, many valuable cultural values ​​might have been forgotten.

You may also like

The "Hello Summer 2026" program at Bac Ninh Industrial College was a vibrant event.BAC NINH - The "Hello Summer 2026" program attracted many talented teams with outstanding performances. The organizing committee awarded first prize to the team from the Industrial Electronics classes CĐK15A2-CĐK16A3-CĐK16A5.

Goertek Vietnam spreads love to children with disabilities.BAC NINH - In response to the 2026 Action Month for Children, Goertek Vietnam (Bac Ninh branch) organized a social responsibility program with the theme "Giving Hope - Brightening the Future" at the Soc Son School for Children with Disabilities (Hanoi).

Promoting a reading culture and honoring family values ​​in Bac Ninh.BAC NINH - To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Vietnam Family Day on June 28th (2001 - 2026), Bac Ninh Library No. 1 is organizing a book and newspaper exhibition to promote reading culture, honor the values ​​of Vietnamese families, and participate in the Bac Ninh Provincial Family Day 2026.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tinh, Head of Phu Lang village, said: “Most households engaged in the craft in the village have been involved in traditional pottery for generations. Despite experiencing many ups and downs, generations have encouraged their children and grandchildren to continue the craft of their ancestors. These families are the important force in preserving and promoting the value of the Phu Lang craft village.”

Today, many craft-making families in Bac Ninh not only preserve traditional techniques but also proactively innovate products, apply technology, build brands, and develop experiential tourism. This is how traditional crafts adapt to the new era while still maintaining their unique character.

According to the leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, preserving and developing traditional crafts requires a team of skilled artisans, craftsmen, and families dedicated to the craft. They are the guardians of the craft village's soul, the bridge between the past and the present, ensuring that the unique cultural values ​​of the Kinh Bac region continue to be passed down and shine.

Vi Le Thanh

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/giu-lua-nghe-trong-moi-nep-nha-postid448229.bbg