Once you start gathering firewood, you'll be captivated for life.

From rotting firewood, an art village called "Floating Firewood Village" has taken shape in the middle of the fields of Hoi An Tay ward. Recently, the village's space has taken on a fresh look as the products are more in line with customer needs thanks to their compact size and eye-catching colors...

Artisans from "Floating Firewood Village" guide tourists in experiencing the art of sculpting from floating firewood. Photo: TIEU YEN

Without placing too much emphasis on economic gain, the handcrafted products here are made with a relaxed mindset, not chasing market trends, but pouring their emotions and creative spirit into every detail. It is this sincerity and perseverance that has made this cultural space a destination for contemplation of culture, people, and the land. Every visitor is immersed in an atmosphere that evokes memories of the countryside, smelling the scent of decaying wood and listening to the lively sounds of chiseling.

The journey of rebirth...

The person who helped breathe new life into that natural waste is artisan Le Ngoc Thuan (45 years old), a chef once famous for his chain of restaurants in Hoi An, who has now turned to woodworking to pursue a different dream...

The story began in 2012, when floodwaters carried many pieces of dry wood ashore at An Bang beach. At that time, Mr. Thuan, who was running a homestay nearby, decided to take the wood home and carve and decorate his property. Unexpectedly, foreign guests were particularly impressed by the artworks made from decaying wood.

He diligently followed the Thu Bon River every rainy season, where the alluvial plains were often filled with firewood and timber. "There were pieces of wood lying exposed in the riverbank for months, turning white, cracked, and seemingly unusable, but when I touched them with a knife, the wood grain inside was revealed to be incredibly beautiful," Thuận shared, expressing his joy at discovering the artistic value within these decaying pieces of wood.

Being a skilled craftsman, Mr. Thuan taught himself woodworking through books, the internet, and from artisans in Kim Bong village. He says that each piece of wood already has a form, it just needs to be "named" and awakened with the eyes, hands, and emotions of the user. Inspired by this, he began observing and meticulously carving to create folk mascots, wooden statues reflecting the culture of the Co Tu people, or the shapes of aquatic animals from Central Vietnam.

All the pieces retain their natural, rustic wood color, unpainted, only treated with natural oil to protect the surface and preserve the grain over time. “When I touch the wood grain, I feel like I see its entire journey through countless flood seasons. Perhaps, you have to put your soul into each piece of wood to truly understand the story it wants to tell. Some pieces of wood move me deeply. Others make me laugh,” Thuận confided.

Refreshing old spaces

Initially, Thuận only displayed and gave away products made from floodwood at his homestay to relatives. But gradually, as more people inquired about buying them, he planned to develop a serious business. In 2022, he opened a small carpentry workshop and transformed his two restaurants into exhibition spaces, connecting artisans and tourists. From there, "Floodwood Village" was born, becoming an art space in the middle of the rice fields, serving as both a workshop and a meeting place for those who appreciate the beauty of rebirth.

Recently, the village has taken on a fresh new look, and the products are more closely aligned with customer needs. Of particular note is the range of products that mimic marine or tropical creatures such as turtles, snails, fish, octopuses, and crocodiles. With an area of ​​approximately 2000 square meters, the village provides employment for about 20 workers, mostly artisans from Kim Bong village who have long been involved in traditional woodworking.

Beyond selling products, "Floating Wood Village" also organizes numerous workshops for tourists, especially catering to foreigners and students attending local schools. Here, visitors can experience the wood processing, simple shaping, and painting stages, and hear stories about the journey of each piece of wood. This process transforms the product from a material object into a cherished memento for those who experience it. Thanks to its unique and rustic atmosphere, the village welcomes thousands of visitors each year.

Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc Diep, a tourist from Hue City, said she was very impressed with the display space showcasing marine life products because of their bright colors and lively shapes. The animals were all crafted from naturally shaped pieces of wood, without much carving or shaping; only a few lines were added and painted with effect colors to complete the look. "I didn't think rotten wood and tree roots could be transformed into such vibrant and soulful works of art," Ms. Diep happily said.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/mot-lan-nhat-cui-ca-doi-say-me-3299593.html