Phuoc Kieu village artisans bring bronze products far and wide

*Mr. Thang's copper product manufacturing and trading establishment is in Phuoc Kieu village.*
*Photo: NGUYEN QUYNH*

On a hot day at the end of May, we visited the Phuoc Kieu bronze casting facility of artisan Duong Ngoc Thang. At this time, skilled workers were busily and meticulously cooling bronze products that had just come out of the furnace.

*Mr. Thang instructs the worker to cool the bronze bell after it comes out of the furnace. Photo: NGUYEN QUYNH*

Mr. Thang said that his family has a tradition of making bronze casting by hand, and he is the fourth generation to continue the craft. Over the years, his bronze casting facility has produced dozens of products such as: Buddha statues, bronze pots, bronze paintings, bronze trays, traditional musical instruments, etc.

“To make a bronze product, it goes through many stages such as selecting the soil, making the mold, baking the mold, melting the bronze, pouring the bronze and cooling it. Of these, the most important stages are the mold making and sound testing stages because they require the craftsman to be meticulous, careful in every detail and knowledgeable about the traditional musical instruments of each region to meet the needs of customers" - Mr. Thang said.

*The cannon is one of Mr. Thang's products that won a national award. Photo: NGUYEN QUYNH*

The bronze products made by Mr. Thang's facility are mainly supplied to pagodas, royal palaces and tourist areas in provinces and cities across the country such as Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Da Nang, the Central Highlands...

In addition, artisan Duong Ngoc Thang's bronze products are also purchased by many customers around the world as souvenirs. Monthly revenue from bronze casting brings him between 20 and 200 million VND. "I have gong, lamp, and cannon products that have won national awards three times," Mr. Thang informed.

*The handcrafted bronze tray has intricate floral patterns. Photo: NGUYEN QUYNH*

Locally, Mr. Thang is not only an artisan who creates quality, beautiful products and is a successful businessman, but also a passionate craftsman who teaches the craft to the younger generation. With his contributions to the craft village and the community, in 2016, Duong Ngoc Thang was awarded the title of Meritorious Artisanby the President .

Workers meticulously polish copper products. Photo: NGUYEN QUYNH — *The craftsman meticulously polishes a bronze product. Photo: NGUYEN QUYNH*

Currently, Mr. Duong Ngoc Thang's bronze casting facility has 12 workers working regularly with a stable income. Mr. Truong Xuan Vang (25 years old, Dien Ban) said that after returning from the army, he worked as a bronze caster at Mr. Thang's facility with an income of about 9 million VND.

“As a new craftsman, I am always eager to learn and study every detail to make good quality bronze products with high sophistication,” Vang shared.

Mr. Doan Cong Dao - Vice Chairman of Dien Phuong Ward People's Committee said that in Phuoc Kieu village, there are still about 7 households engaged in bronze casting. Duong Ngoc Thang is one of the outstanding artisans of the craft village. The locality always creates conditions for artisans to have the opportunity to exchange experiences in making bronze handicraft products; connect to develop and consume bronze casting products...

[VIDE0] - Mr. Thang shares about bronze casting:

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/nghe-nhan-lang-phuoc-kieu-dua-san-pham-che-tac-bang-dong-vuon-xa-3155532.html