Those who breathe life into stone

Through the skill, creativity, and dedication of the artisans, the ornamental stone products become exquisite, artistic, and highly aesthetic. Few would have imagined that the stones that fell along the mountainside could transform the lives of the people of Soi village. Word spread, and after nearly 25 years, the products of the ornamental stone crafting village of Soi, Phu Thanh commune (now An Nghia commune), have reached consumers throughout the country.

The rural landscape in Soi village, An Nghia commune, known for its ornamental stone carving craft, has transformed, and the lives of the people have improved.

Changing lives through ornamental stones.

Anyone who has traveled along the Ho Chi Minh Trail will be particularly impressed when passing through Soi village, where they can admire the giant artistic stone sculptures displayed along both sides of the road. Visiting Thoi village in late August, the sounds of sawing, chiseling, and carving stone resound throughout the village. Although nearly 70 years old, Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh – the first person to introduce the craft of ornamental stone carving to the villagers – remains passionate and devoted to these inanimate stones. Almost 25 years have passed since Mr. Vinh laid the foundation and brought this livelihood to the people.

Over a cup of hot tea, Mr. Vinh shared: “At that time, the economic life of the people in this area was very difficult, mainly relying on agricultural production. I always wondered why the place where I live has similar natural conditions to Phu Ly (Ha Nam province) with a fairly abundant source of natural stone, beautiful colors, and easy to shape. That's why I decided to dedicate my time and effort to bringing the craft of making ornamental stones to the people. From a side job done during the agricultural off-season, the model of crafting ornamental stones gradually developed and spread widely in the village, establishing a brand in the market.”

Despite his advanced age, Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh remains passionate and concerned about the future development of the traditional craft village.

After nearly 15 years of formation and development, the ornamental stone carving village of Soi hamlet was recognized by the People's Committee of Hoa Binh province (formerly) in 2015 with over 60 members. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of members has now decreased to nearly 40. Of these, nearly 10 establishments are operating effectively and have established ornamental stone carving businesses. Some workshops and households continue to operate on a small scale.

The ornamental stone products from Soi village are diverse in type, shape, and function. The most popular are ornamental stones used for garden decoration, indoor landscaping, tables and chairs, rock gardens, feng shui animal statues, stone lanterns, etc. In addition, some artisans also accept custom orders, crafting Buddha statues, reliefs, and decorative stone columns for gates and ancestral temples. A common feature of Soi village's products is the use of natural stone quarried locally or from neighboring areas.

The stones come in a rich and distinctive range of colors, such as jade green and cloud-patterned stones. Depending on the intended use, the craftsman will select the appropriate type of stone for crafting. The process of crafting ornamental stones involves many meticulous steps, requiring patience and skillful hands to create products that meet the increasingly high demands of the market.

The artisans who create ornamental stones dedicate a great deal of effort to producing unique products.

Skilled hands create the soft, captivating lines of natural landscape stone products.

Based on observations in Soi village, the best-selling and most popular products are stone tables and chairs, and decorative miniature landscapes. The average price for a standard set of stone tables and chairs ranges from 5-10 million VND. Additionally, some natural precious stones can cost between 100-200 million VND. For more aesthetically pleasing decorative miniature landscapes, the price depends on the requirements, scale, and display style within the family's garden.

According to statistics from 2024, the craft village generated over 30 billion VND in revenue, providing stable employment for approximately 200 local workers with a steady income of 8-10 million VND per month. Some experienced artisans and craftsmen earn incomes that vary depending on orders and the revenue of their workshops.

Establishing the brand of traditional craft villages.

Having been involved in the ornamental stone carving craft for nearly 20 years, Mr. Pham Van Xuan, Director of Khai Xuan Artistic Ornamental Stone Company, is one of the dedicated individuals concerned with the sustainable development of the craft village. Currently, the company provides employment for over 20 workers with stable incomes. Total monthly revenue ranges from 200-300 million VND. The main market is in the southern provinces and cities. For his efforts and contributions to the overall development of the craft village, Mr. Xuan was trusted and elected to the position of Head of the Ornamental Stone Carving Craft Village in Soi Hamlet.

Mr. Pham Van Xuan (far right) regularly exchanges and shares experiences with the members.

Mr. Xuan said: “Each ornamental stone product in Soi village is not just a decorative item, but also a work of art containing the dedication and spirit of the craftsman. The uniqueness of Soi village's ornamental stone products lies in the harmonious combination of the pristine beauty of natural stone and the skillful, creative hands of the people. Not mass-produced or standardized, each piece is a unique version – that's why the products here are favored by many ornamental stone enthusiasts and lovers of garden art.”

In the context of the economic impact, the ornamental stone carving village of Soi Hamlet faces numerous difficulties and challenges to its sustainable development. The current issue is the lack of clear legal mechanisms regarding procedures related to natural resources. Businesses lack the capital to expand their workshops and invest in modern machinery. Furthermore, the local government has not yet implemented preferential policies to support and guide the stable development of the craft village.

The craft of carving ornamental stones has created regular employment for many local workers with stable incomes.

Recognizing the difficulties and challenges facing the sustainable development of the ornamental stone carving craft village, businesses, production facilities, and households within the village have focused on training and improving skills. They have also intensified efforts to promote and introduce their products, reaching customers through social media and e-commerce platforms.

Equipping the area with advanced machinery and applying scientific and technological advancements to minimize production costs and reduce product prices. Regularly organizing exchanges, meetings, and networking events with ornamental stone craft villages in neighboring regions to share experiences and learn from best practices and innovative approaches.

A wide variety of ornamental stone products, in terms of design and type, are displayed along the Ho Chi Minh Highway.

The craft village specializing in ornamental stone carving has helped the people of Soi village "change their lives," however, for sustainable development, the local authorities and relevant agencies need to pay attention to supporting and encouraging households engaged in this craft in a timely manner.

In addition, we will coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to resolve difficulties and obstacles in the production and development process. This will create favorable conditions to help the products of the craft villages continue to expand in the domestic market and aim for international export.

Duc Anh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/nhung-nguoi-thoi-hon-vao-da-238464.htm