'Female General' Vu Thi Mai and her journey to preserve the spirit of spring in Dong Ky craft village.

Every spring, the craft village of Dong Ky (Bac Ninh) bustles with the scent of fresh wood and the sounds of chiseling, blending with the busy pace of life at the end of the year. Amidst this atmosphere, the image of businesswoman Vu Thi Mai – General Director of Huong Mai Fine Woodworking Co., Ltd. – remains familiar, an integral part of the village's rhythm. For many craftspeople, she is not only the head of a business, but also the keeper of the flame, the craft, and the "spirit of spring" for a traditional craft village that has weathered many ups and downs.

Businesswoman Vu Thi Mai, the "female leader" of Dong Ky craft village, is deeply committed to the traditional woodworking craft.

As the new year begins, with the lingering scent of incense in Dong Ky village and the woodworking workshops closing the old season, the journey of "female leader" Vu Thi Mai in preserving the craft becomes clearer than ever. In the springtime atmosphere, the story of this woman, persistently dedicated to Huong Mai's fine woodworking, is not just a business story, but also a journey of preserving the soul of the craft and the village through many consecutive Tet (Lunar New Year) seasons.

I developed a passion for the profession from a very young age.

Born and raised in Dong Ky, the cradle of the country's renowned fine wood craftsmanship, businesswoman Vu Thi Mai was familiar with the sounds of saws and chisels, and the scent of ironwood and mahogany from a young age. For her, woodworking wasn't a fleeting choice, but a silent stream flowing through generations in her family, ingrained in the daily life of her village. Even as an adult, amidst many career paths, Ms. Mai chose to return to the traditional craft. Her greatest motivation at that time wasn't just about making a living, but the desire to continue the values ​​of her ancestors and preserve a sophisticated craft facing numerous challenges in the modern era. "If I don't do it, if I don't preserve it, who will?" This thought has guided her throughout more than three decades of dedication to woodworking.

Businesswoman Vu Thi Mai connects the essence of traditional woodworking with modern management thinking.

In the early days of their business, Ms. Mai and her family started with a small workshop in Dong Ky village. Lacking capital, market experience, and an uncertain market, they had to manage everything themselves. There were periods when it seemed impossible to survive due to low orders, expensive raw materials, and a volatile market.

In the business world, she has also experienced major setbacks. At one point, under market pressure, Huong Mai shifted its focus to large-scale, low-cost processing. This pursuit of quantity led to financial losses, intense competition in terms of quality and price, and difficulties in securing human resources, as the exquisite craftsmanship and long-standing essence of Dong Ky wood carving were put to the test.

Looking back on the challenging journey, Ms. Mai believes that the most important thing in her profession is maintaining passion and unwavering commitment to her chosen path. Those years taught her lessons about caution, integrity, and the ability to read the market—elements that later became core to her successfully steering her business.

From its humble beginnings as a small woodworking workshop, Huong Mai Fine Woodworking Co., Ltd. has gradually taken shape and developed. The name "Huong Mai" not only bears the mark of the family but also reflects the aspiration to rise above challenges and strive for lasting and positive values. Throughout the brand's development, Ms. Mai has remained steadfast in her principle: preserving the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional artisans. Amidst the wave of mechanization and mass production, Huong Mai continues to focus on the skills of its artisans, on every detail of the carving, every meticulous and patient element.

To meet the ever-increasing demands of the market, businesswoman Vu Thi Mai proactively innovates designs and improves processes, but without losing the "essence" of Dong Ky wooden furniture.

The harmonious blend of tradition and modernity has helped Huong Mai products win over not only domestic customers but also gradually penetrate the international market.

Transforming traditional craft villages into cultural destinations.

Beyond just production and business, businesswoman Vu Thi Mai quickly recognized a new direction for the craft village: combining production with experiential tourism . According to her, each wooden product not only has practical value but also embodies the cultural and historical story of a craft village. Based on this idea, she actively participates in promoting the Dong Ky craft village, welcoming domestic and international delegations to visit her workshops and learn about the traditional woodworking process. These tours and experiences have contributed to spreading the image of Dong Ky and Huong Mai wood products more widely, transforming the craft village from just a production site into a cultural destination rich in identity.

For Ms. Mai, the traditional Tet holiday holds special significance. It's the time when the craft village enters its peak production season, with many orders and a hectic work pace. But it is precisely amidst this hustle and bustle that she constantly reminds herself and her workers to preserve the "spirit of Tet."

At Huong Mai, the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) are not just about meeting order deadlines, but also about caring for the well-being of the workers. She pays attention to everything from the New Year's Eve dinner and Tet gifts to creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere so that the workers feel a sense of belonging, like being part of a large family.

Businesswoman Vu Thi Mai and her husband built the Huong Mai brand into one of the leading businesses in Dong Ky, creating jobs for hundreds of workers.

Compared to the Tet holidays in the early days of her career, when the woodworking industry faced many difficulties and unstable incomes, Tet in Dong Ky today is different. The craft village is thriving, the lives of the workers are more stable, and the joy of celebrating spring is therefore more complete. In this transformation, Mrs. Mai is proud that she has contributed a small part to keeping the craft from disappearing.

According to businesswoman Vu Thi Mai, the "spirit of spring" lies not only in the New Year's feast or the festive atmosphere, but also in how people treat each other. In Huong Mai enterprise, she has built a culture that emphasizes respect, sharing, and responsibility. Craftsmen are not just laborers, but also members of the community, preserving the craft and the village's reputation. This culture helps Huong Mai maintain a long-term team of dedicated artisans, a difficult feat in a context where many young workers leave the craft village to seek other jobs. For her, retaining the craftsmen is also about preserving the craft.

Businesswoman Vu Thi Mai received an honorary doctorate from Orange County University.

Looking to the future, Ms. Mai hopes that traditional Dong Ky wood carving will continue to develop sustainably in the context of increasingly deep international integration. She hopes that the craft villages will not only sell products, but also sell cultural values ​​and unique identities that cannot be replaced anywhere else. She also devotes much effort to passing on the craft to the younger generation, so that the exquisite carving techniques will not be lost. According to her, with the joint efforts of businesses, artisans, and the government, the Dong Ky craft village can completely preserve its traditions while developing in a modern direction.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, businesswoman Vu Thi Mai sends her best wishes for health, peace, and a prosperous year to the artisans of Dong Ky village, partners, customers, and the business community. She believes that with unity and perseverance, traditional Vietnamese crafts will continue to thrive, preserving their unique identity amidst the changing times. Amidst the vibrant spring atmosphere of the village, the image of "female leader" Vu Thi Mai remains one of dedication to each product and each craftswoman. Her journey of over three decades is not just about economic development, but also about preserving the spirit of spring in Dong Ky, maintaining the craft, the people, and the cultural values ​​that have made this century-old village famous.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nu-tuong-vu-thi-mai-va-hanh-trinh-giu-hon-xuan-lang-nghe-dong-ky-360433.html