The golden age of Kim Bong carpentry in Hoi An

In the book Phu Bien Tap Luc , scholar Le Quy Don described the traditional occupations of Quang Nam in the 16th - 17th centuries, mentioning the place name Kim Bong and the local carpentry profession.

According to local people, Kim Bong carpentry village was formerly known as Kim Bong Chau, now Cam Kim commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam. At Kim Bong Hoi An carpentry village temple, the ancestors of the carpentry village are worshiped. In the past, the village had 4 families: Nguyen, Chuong, Phan, Huynh, all of whom were carpenters.

• Young carpenters of Kim Bong create many valuable wood sculptures. Photo: TH

Located right next to the once bustling international port, it is easy to understand why Kim Bong flourished at that time. Not only did the artisans here build houses, temples and pagodas from wood, they also made household items. In particular, Kim Bong carpenters became famous for the architectural works that still remain today on every roof and street corner of Hoi An, and their talented hands also contributed to the splendor of Hue Citadel...

Once upon a time, after many ups and downs, the famous Kim Bong carpentry village now seems to be just a false name, because few people want to build elaborate wooden houses anymore. The urbanization process also contributed to the transformation of the once prosperous craft village into a village with only a few families pursuing their ancestors' craft.

A wood carving believed to be by an artisan from Kim Bong carpentry village in a religious building in Hoi An. Photo: TH

This carpentry village seemed to regain its vitality in the early 2000s, after Hoi An was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. The story of Kim Bong carpentry seemed to come alive again when a wave of tourists from all over the world flocked to Hoi An and neighboring craft villages.

The traditional craft village attracts a large number of tourists to visit. Kim Bong carpentry was also recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in November 2016, promoting the historical and cultural advantages of Cam Kim in the process of tourism development.

The children of Kim Bong carpentry village, scattered all over the country, have returned through the wave of tourists to rebuild their ancestors’ careers. The young generation creates elaborate and splendid wood carvings to serve the shopping needs of tourists.

This tourist destination continues to receive attention and investment in the process of expanding the space for Hoi An tourism development. Most recently, Hoi An City has approved a thematic resolution on the project "Building a rural village - ecological craft village in Cam Kim commune in the period of 2017 - 2025".

By 2025, Hoi An aims to establish a model of Cam Kim ecological, cultural and tourism village to develop sustainably in the direction of "Countryside village - ecological craft village", becoming a typical tourism product of Hoi An.

Products from the hands of Kim Bong carpenters serve the shopping needs of tourists. Photo: TH

From March to September is considered the “golden time” to travel to Hoi An, including Kim Bong village. At this time, the weather here is beautiful, convenient for sightseeing and shopping for wood sculptures from the golden hands of artisans.

From the center of Hoi An ancient town, visitors travel in the direction of Cam Kim bridge, about 620m long, across the Thu Bon river. Just follow the road from the bridge down, visitors will reach Kim Bong carpentry village. If you want to experience the river, take a boat or ferry from the wharf opposite Hoi An ancient town.

Source: https://laodong.vn/du-lich/kham-pha/net-vang-son-mot-thuo-nghe-moc-kim-bong-o-hoi-an-1263649.html