Not too concerned with economics , the handicrafts here are made with a leisurely attitude, not following market trends but putting all the emotions and creative spirit into every detail. It is that sincerity and perseverance that has made this cultural space a destination for contemplation of culture, people, and land. Where every visitor can immerse themselves in a space that evokes memories of the countryside, smell the rotten wood and hear the bustling chiseling sound.
Journey of rebirth...
The person who contributed to bringing new life to that natural waste source is artist Le Ngoc Thuan (45 years old), a chef who was once famous for a chain of restaurants in Hoi An, now turning to the art of carpentry to pursue a different dream...
The story began in 2012, when floodwaters carried many dry logs to the shore of An Bang beach. At that time, Mr. Thuan, who was running a homestay nearby, decided to bring the wood back to carve, decorate, and beautify his address. Unexpectedly, foreign guests were particularly impressed by the works made from rotten wood.
He wades along the Thu Bon River after each flood season, where the alluvial banks are often filled with firewood and wood. “There are pieces of wood lying exposed in the middle of the river for months, white and cracked, thought to be unusable, but when touched with a knife, the wood grain inside is revealed to be incredibly beautiful,” Mr. Thuan shares his joy when finding the aesthetic value inside the rotten wood.
Being a handyman, Mr. Thuan learned carpentry by himself through books, the internet and from artisans in Kim Bong carpentry village. He said that each piece of wood has its own shape, it just needs to be “named” and awakened by the eyes, hands and emotions. With that inspiration, he began to observe and meticulously chisel to create folk mascots, wooden statues with the cultural influence of the Co Tu people or the shapes of animals of the Central region's rivers and streams.
All of them retain their raw wood color, without paint, only natural oil to protect the surface and keep the grain intact over time. “When I touch the wood grain, I feel like I can see its entire journey drifting through many flood seasons. Perhaps, I have to put my soul into each piece of wood to feel the shape it wants to tell. Some pieces of wood move me. Some make me laugh,” Mr. Thuan confided.
Refresh old space
Initially, Mr. Thuan only displayed firewood products at his homestay and gave them to relatives. But gradually, when many people asked to buy them, he made a serious business plan. In 2022, he opened a small carpentry workshop and turned 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 field, both a workshop and a meeting place for those who love the beauty of regeneration.
Recently, the village space has taken on a fresh look and the products are closer to customer needs. Notably, there are products simulating marine or tropical creatures such as turtles, snails, fish, octopus, crocodiles... With an area of about 2000m2, the village creates jobs for about 20 workers, most of whom are artisans from Kim Bong village who have been involved in traditional carpentry for many years.
Not only selling products, “Lu Firewood Village” also organizes many workshops for tourists, especially serving foreigners and students studying at local schools. Here, people can experience the process of wood processing, simple shaping, painting, and listening to stories about the journey of each piece of firewood. This process helps the product not only become a material but also a spiritual memory for the experiencer. Thanks to this unique, rustic space, every year, the address welcomes thousands of visitors.
Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc Diep, a tourist from Hue city, said she was very impressed with the display space for marine life products because of the bright colors and vivid shapes. The animals were all crafted from naturally shaped pieces of wood, without much carving, just a few lines and painted with effect colors to complete. "I didn't think rotten wood and tree roots could be transformed into such vivid and soulful works," Ms. Diep happily said.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/mot-lan-nhat-cui-ca-doi-say-me-3299593.html
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