Hoang Van Man - the guardian of Muong Chanh pottery.

Having spent many years working with land, water, and fire, artisan Hoang Van Man in Den village, Muong Chanh commune, Son La province, has persistently preserved the traditional pottery craft, passed on the skill, created livelihoods, and spread the message of learning from and following President Ho Chi Minh's example through simple actions.

Extracurricular activities focusing on Thai pottery art help students better understand the value of traditional crafts in Muong Chanh commune.

Preserving a traditional craft means preserving the soul of one's homeland.

Without fanfare or boasting about his achievements, artisan Hoang Van Man chooses to dedicate himself to the traditional pottery craft of Ban Den village with quiet perseverance and responsibility. For him, pottery is not just a means of livelihood, but also a part of the memories, identity, and cultural soul of his homeland.

In the flow of modern life, many traditional crafts face the risk of disappearing. The development of industrial goods, changes in consumer habits, and new labor trends have led many young people to abandon traditional crafts . But in Bản Đen village, handcrafted pottery products still exist, not only thanks to techniques passed down through generations, but also thanks to dedicated individuals like Mr. Hoàng Văn Mắn.

Artisan Hoang Van Man guides students in experiencing the traditional pottery making of the Thai people in Muong Chanh.

Having been involved in pottery making for many years , he understands that preserving the traditional craft first and foremost requires a passion for it. Each stage demands meticulousness, patience, and experience, from selecting the clay, kneading, shaping, to firing the product . It's not just manual labor; it's a process of infusing the skill, aesthetic sense, and soul of the potter into each product.

What is admirable about artisan Hoang Van Man is that he doesn't cling to his craft in a conservative, closed way. He respects traditional handcrafted methods, but at the same time, he always thinks of new ways to make pottery products more suitable for modern life. Besides familiar products, he explores and develops more practical designs such as decorative items, souvenirs, and products for display and showcasing local culture.

The combination of preserving tradition and innovating methods has given the pottery craft of Bản Đen village renewed vitality. The products not only serve the needs of the community but are also showcased at fairs and cultural events, contributing to promoting the local cultural beauty to a wider audience.

Learn from Uncle Ho's diligent and creative work.

What stands out about artisan Hoang Van Man is not only his skillful hands but also his sense of responsibility to the community. Learning from and following the thoughts, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh , he chose a simple and diligent approach to work, frugality in life, creativity in production, and always thinking of the common good.

For him, learning from President Ho Chi Minh is not something far-fetched. Learning from him begins with a serious attitude towards daily work; with producing quality products; with perseverance in overcoming difficulties to preserve a traditional craft; and with the responsibility of passing on experience to future generations. It's a quiet but profound way of learning from President Ho Chi Minh, unpretentious yet persuasive.

Delegates visited and learned about the traditional pottery products of artisan Hoang Van Man in Den village, Muong Chanh commune.

Throughout his career, he has always been aware that a craft cannot be sustained by a single person. Therefore, in addition to maintaining production, he actively passes on his skills and shares his experience with the younger generation in the village and those who want to learn the craft. Through his guidance, some villagers have found additional employment and income, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the value of the traditional craft passed down from their ancestors.

The transmission of traditional crafts is not only economically significant. More importantly, it awakens pride and a sense of preserving cultural identity within the community. When people appreciate traditional crafts and know how to transform cultural values ​​into products that serve daily life, old crafts will not be forgotten but can become a new resource for development.

Starting from a single household practicing the craft, artisan Hoang Van Man's model has gradually spread throughout the village. People have realized that preserving traditional culture is inseparable from economic development; preserving identity does not mean standing still, but rather innovating and creating to adapt to the needs of society.

From a model example to a community-wide impact.

Looking at the story of artisan Hoang Van Man, one can clearly see the practical value of learning from and following President Ho Chi Minh's example at the grassroots level. These are not just empty slogans, but are concretized through labor, products, and actions that benefit the community.

The model for preserving and developing traditional pottery in Bản Đen village is highly significant. Firstly, it contributes to creating jobs and increasing income for the people, especially those households with the means to participate in local handicraft production. Secondly, it helps preserve a traditional craft and retain unique cultural values ​​within the community.

Moreover, preserving the pottery craft adds a highlight to the development of culture and tourism , promoting the image of the homeland. Each pottery product is not just an object or souvenir, but also a story about the labor of hands, about the earth, about fire, and about the cultural memories of the village. When traditional products are modernized and brought closer to the market, cultural values ​​are also spread naturally and sustainably.

From the example of artisan Hoang Van Man, we can draw a simple yet profound lesson: learning from and following Uncle Ho's teachings doesn't necessarily have to begin with grand gestures. For officials, it could be dedication to their work; for laborers, it could be diligence, creativity, and responsibility; for artisans, it could be preserving a craft, passing it on, and reviving a cultural value that is in danger of disappearing.

What is truly admirable is that Mr. Hoang Van Man did not keep the craft to himself. He preserved it so that the community could benefit; so that the younger generation would know about their roots; and so that the cultural identity of Den village, Muong Chanh commune, could continue to be passed down in today's life.

In the context of localities actively promoting and replicating good models and innovative approaches in studying and following the ideology, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh, the story of artisan Hoang Van Man is a vivid example. Through his pottery skills, his awareness of preserving traditional crafts, and his responsibility to the community, he has contributed to making the study of President Ho Chi Minh more accessible, concrete, and impactful.

The fire in the pottery kiln in Bản Đen village not only cooks the clay into products, but also ignites a love of labor, cultural pride, and a sense of responsibility towards the homeland. And artisan Hoàng Văn Mắn, through his perseverance, deserves to be recognized as a keeper of the flame – a keeper of the craft, a keeper of the culture, and a keeper of the spirit of learning from President Ho Chi Minh in today's life.

Luong Thi Viet Hong - Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Provincial Party Committee

Source: https://sonla.dcs.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/noi-dung/hoang-van-man-nguoi-giu-lua-gom-muong-chanh-7954.html