Da Sy Blacksmith Village – an attractive destination for international tourists.

The atmosphere here is always vibrant, with the rhythmic pounding of hammers and the constant clanging of metal, creating a bustling yet artistic working environment.

Foreign tourists experience the knife-making process at Da Sy blacksmith village under the guidance of artisans.

Simon Vandromme, a French tourist, couldn't hide his excitement at participating in the knife-making process at Da Sy blacksmith village. Wearing protective gloves, he carefully used tongs to remove the knives from the furnace and place them into the stamping machine. Simon said this was his first time experiencing a blacksmith village abroad. "I could clearly feel the passion of the Da Sy blacksmiths, the meticulousness and skill in each hammer blow, creating a very special atmosphere. This was truly a unique experience," he shared.

Simon Vandromme experiences the knife-making process at the blacksmith's forge. Photo: Huy Hoang/Khanh Van

Simon said he is a horseshoe maker in France. Despite having 10 years of experience in the trade, he is still eager to learn and try his hand at Vietnamese iron forging techniques.

Simon is just one of many international tourists who come to experience the Da Sy craft village when they visit Hanoi . For them, the trip is not just about admiring the exquisitely crafted products, but also an opportunity to directly participate in the process of creating traditional products, thereby learning more about the people and unique culture of the locality.

In the blacksmith's workshop, the rhythmic hammering, sparks flying like fireworks, and the blacksmiths' strenuous efforts to shape red-hot iron into sharp, precise products filled the air. Simon not only observed but also directly participated in the processes of pressing, heating, and bending the iron, breathing life into each product. "I experienced a space filled with light, which inspired creativity and gave me an unforgettable memory," Simon said.

Discover the blacksmithing craft in Da Sy.

The Da Sy knife-making village is a famous destination for traditional handcrafted knife-making, currently located in Kien Hung ward, Ha Dong district. This village, known as the "foremost knife-making village of Thang Long," is situated more than 10km from the capital's center, making it easily accessible by car, motorbike, or bus.

With over 500 years of history, Da Sy village still retains the distinctive beauty of Vietnamese villages. Here, traditional communal houses and temples stand, serving as places of worship for the village's founding craftsmen and also hosting spring festivals at the beginning of the new year. Blacksmiths' workshops line both sides of the road leading into the village, the sounds of hammers, anvils, and grinding echoing through the air, piquing the curiosity of every passerby. Just a glance inside reveals the scene of skilled craftsmen working tirelessly day and night, creating sharp, precise products from seemingly lifeless iron bars.

Recalling the time about 30 years ago when he was a young boy, Mr. Le Ngoc Lam, owner of the Le Lam blacksmithing workshop, with a family tradition of 5 generations in the craft, said that the blacksmithing of knives and scissors in Da Sy has gone through many ups and downs along with the development of the country. Many families here have abandoned the profession because they could not make a living, while a few others have continued to struggle, finding their own way to maintain the craft.

Mr. Lam shared that after many years as the director of a construction company, he decided to return to the blacksmithing trade. “Blacksmithing is not just a means of livelihood, but an art form, a cultural value that we want to preserve and develop. I hope that future generations will understand and be proud of the traditions of our ancestors.”

“With the development of science and technology, we now have machines to replace manual labor, and we can change designs with many different types. Good quality is the key that helps us, the people of Da Sy village, not only maintain our traditional craft but also increase our income and improve our quality of life,” said Mr. Lam.

Mr. Lam said that combining traditional crafts and tourism is a novel approach, not only promoting the culture of Vietnamese craft villages but also providing tourists with a complete and unique experience.

"We want to not only preserve the traditional blacksmithing craft but also help tourists better understand the process of creating these unique handcrafted products. During holidays and festivals, a large number of international visitors come to participate in the experience. Everyone is very excited to hold a hammer and participate in the knife-making process," Mr. Lam said.

Not only attracting international tourists, Da Sy craft village has also become a favorite destination for those who want to explore traditional Vietnamese handicraft culture. In 2024, Le Lam blacksmith workshop successfully attracted more than 500 visitors from both within and outside the country, of all ages.

Mr. Lam provides guidance to ensure the safety of tourists during the knife-making experience.

“I am in the early stages of promoting the Da Sy craft village culture as a tourist destination. The number of visitors is still modest, but I believe that with the unique characteristics of the knife and scissor forging craft passed down from father to son, along with interesting experiences for tourists, Da Sy will be an attractive tourist destination in the future,” Mr. Lam said.

In the heart of Hanoi, Da Sy is not only a place that produces high-quality forged products but also an ideal destination for tourists seeking unique cultural values. With a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, the Da Sy craft village is becoming a model for community tourism development, where everyone can experience, learn, and appreciate the cultural essence of the blacksmithing craft.

Conservation and development – ​​A never-ending journey

The blacksmithing craft of Da Sy, with its rich history, is not only a traditional craft of the village but also an indispensable part of the cultural identity of the local community. Despite many challenges in its development, thanks to the efforts and creativity of the blacksmiths, the craft of Da Sy remains strong, keeping the tradition alive and contributing to creating a unique experiential destination for domestic and international tourists. Traditional craft villages are key to helping international friends understand and connect with the traditional cultural values ​​of Vietnam.

Maud, Simon's sister and a student at Hanoi University of Architecture, said: "Exploring traditional craft villages is very important to me. These are profound cultural values ​​of Hanoi that I want to share with my family. In particular, the Da Sy craft village has helped us better understand the beauty of traditional blacksmithing."

A foreign family was delighted with the products from Da Sy village.

Mr. Lam hopes that through these hands-on experiences, tourists will not only appreciate the blacksmithing craft of Da Sy but also contribute to preserving and developing the traditional craft, making the Da Sy blacksmithing village a highlight on Hanoi's tourism map.

The dedication of blacksmiths like Mr. Lam has provided visitors not only with unique gifts but also valuable lessons about traditional crafts. Under Mr. Lam's attentive guidance, Simon personally crafted a sharp knife, constantly appreciating the magic in each step of the process. His eyes were filled with joy and happiness as he admired the finished product he had painstakingly created after two hours of hard work. This "one-of-a-kind" experience in Da Sy village was not only a rare opportunity for Simon to personally experience Vietnamese blacksmithing techniques but also a chance to interact with and learn about local culture.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/lang-ren-da-sy-diem-den-hap-dan-du-khach-quoc-te.html