A famous blacksmith village in Northern Vietnam.

The rhythmic clang of hammers and anvils against the air persists; the forges still burn brightly year-round; and the diligent, hardworking people of Da Si (Kien Hung ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi), renowned for its "finest knives and scissors," seem to possess a new vitality today—the vitality of a unique century-old craft village that attracts foreign tourists , and of young people persistently preserving and enhancing the craft.

Products from Da Si blacksmith village

1. Dressed in simple, neat military uniform, the old craftsman strode along the village road amidst the sounds of hammers, anvils, and grinding, echoing in the air as if marking the spot – this is the famous Da Si blacksmith village.

Follow artisan Dinh Cong Doan on a tour of the blacksmithing capital. Witnessing firsthand the "blacksmithing village in the city" is truly astonishing. Nestled beside the Nhue River in the heart of the bustling capital, the diligent and simple life of the blacksmiths of Da Si village unfolds around the firelight. Amidst countless other products, from Western to Chinese knives and scissors, the enduring vitality of this traditional blacksmithing craft remains.

The forged products of Da Si village are diverse in types and designs, renowned for their durability, sharpness, and hardness, surpassing any other products in the Northern Delta region. Generation after generation, the blacksmiths of Da Si village guide each other in meticulously crafting each product, preserving the reputation, the craft, and the profession of their ancestors…

The Da Si blacksmithing village, with its centuries-old tradition, has been providing employment and stable income for hundreds of local households. Currently, about 70% of the households are involved in the village's traditional blacksmithing craft, with each household specializing in a particular type of product. There are approximately 20 skilled blacksmiths in the village, and over a dozen have been awarded the title of master craftsman. The products of Da Si blacksmithing village are very durable due to the skillful steel tempering techniques of the experienced blacksmiths, producing knives that can "cut through iron," a source of pride for the local people.

The craftsman, now at a venerable age, walked with unhurried steps, recounting stories of his village and his own, with heartfelt pride but also filled with anxieties and a desire for a sustainable future for his craft.

Having left his youth behind on the battlefield and dedicated almost his entire life to the traditional blacksmithing craft, witnessing the ups and downs of the profession and the blacksmiths themselves, artisan Dinh Cong Doan - Vice Chairman of the Da Si Village Craft Association - is always concerned about how to apply technology to the craft to reduce labor, increase productivity, and improve product designs; how to plan the layout of the craft village to expand production, minimize environmental impact, and meet market demands; and how to prevent counterfeit and substandard goods from infiltrating the craft village.

The most gratifying aspect of the village in recent years is that more and more young people are continuing the legacy of their ancestors, diligently pursuing the craft, reviving the traditional village craft, and bringing new life to Da Si.

Products from Da Si blacksmith village

2. A new direction - linking the preservation of traditional crafts with tourism development… The 40-degree Celsius heat of Hanoi in August and the blazing furnace combined to make the entire blacksmith's workshop feel like a steam oven. For nearly two hours, meticulously demonstrating, practicing, and instructing a medical student from France through the 12 steps of knife making, the young artisan Le Ngoc Lam was drenched in sweat, but his face remained calm.

Not only is he skilled in his craft, artisan Le Ngoc Lam is also one of the pioneering young people in developing free experiential tourism. He is willing to dedicate time and effort to organizing large-scale events and building detailed itineraries to attract tourists. Explaining this, the young artisan confided that, having been involved in the craft, he understands that every profession has its own unique aspects. The blacksmithing craft in his village has been famous and unique since ancient times. People only know about the knives and scissors, but they don't know how many steps and how many new things are involved in creating those finished products.

“In fact, there are villages specializing in traditional crafts that are doing very well in tourism. For example, villages specializing in silk production and pottery… Currently, many traditional crafts are facing the risk of disappearing, as traditional products face many difficulties competing with modern products. Finding ways to ‘keep the flame alive’ for traditional crafts, I think, is very necessary,” Mr. Lam shared.

The traditional knife-making village of Da Si is very different today. Besides the sounds of hammers and anvils and the presence of customers, the village also welcomes foreign visitors who come to tour and experience the craft.

At Mr. Le Ngoc Lam's workshop, foreign tourists flock in. They are extremely fascinated by the traditional blacksmithing craft, experiencing the work alongside the blacksmiths and even forging their own knives and scissors as souvenirs.

Upon arriving in Da Si village, visitors are amazed to see people of all ages, both men and women, performing the various stages of blacksmithing – a physically demanding and exhausting profession. The sounds of hammers, steel cutting machines, and the conversations of the workers seem to dispel the hardships of the trade.

Fascinated by the firelight, the hardworking people, and the enthusiastic young artisan, French medical student Thomas Fouvry eagerly followed artisan Le Ngoc Lam to experience things he described as "never seen before," "unique, novel, and captivating," and admired the hard work and creativity of the people there. His clothes were stained and drenched in sweat, but joy was evident on the face of this special guest.

In various ways, artisans in the traditional craft village of Da Si are striving to promote their products, bringing them further afield and closer to international customers. Experiential tourism is giving Da Si, considered the "foremost knife-making village in Hanoi," new life and a direction towards sustainable development.

Source: http://baolamdong.vn/du-lich/202411/lang-ren-noi-danh-dat-bac-82c300f/