The Lam Hang woodworking facility of Mr. Nguyen Van Lam's family (on the left), Dat Tai 1 village, Hoang Hoa commune.
Having been established and developed for hundreds of years, the carpentry craft in the villages of Dat Tai, Ha Thai (Hoang Ha commune) and Ha Vu (Hoang Dat commune), all formerly part of Hoang Hoa district (now Hoang Hoa commune), has become famous throughout the country. According to elderly villagers, the craft is approximately 400-500 years old, and the person who played a major role in passing on the craft first came from Nam Dinh province. He was originally the master carpenter of a group of carpenters. When he came to live and start a family in Dat Tai village, he passed on his skills to the people of Dat Tai, and then to Ha Vu and Ha Thai.
Not only do the carpenters here build houses, temples, and shrines throughout the provinces and cities, but they also specialize in carving, such as carving ornate archways, horizontal plaques, and sculptures of mythical creatures and four-panel designs. With perseverance, meticulousness, and skillful hands, these carpenters have spread far and wide, leaving a lasting reputation for the exquisite craftsmanship and durability of their products. Through countless ups and downs, the traditional carpentry craft has been preserved and developed by generations of villagers as a unique cultural feature not found in every locality. The villages with the highest concentration of carpenters in Hoang Hoa commune are Dat Tai 1, Dat Tai 2, Ha Thai, and Ha Vu.
Visiting the Lam Hang woodworking workshop of Mr. Nguyen Van Lam – a young owner from the 9X generation in Dat Tai 1 village – we noticed the bustling atmosphere of the craftsmen diligently working to meet customer orders in the final days of the year. While inspecting the products and instructing the workers, Mr. Nguyen Van Lam shared: “Born and raised in a traditional craft village, my father taught me from a young age that this profession is very valuable. Because from rough, unpolished wood, through the skillful, diligent, and creative hands of the craftsmen, it becomes valuable products. To create products that meet market demands, besides absorbing the essence of woodworking from our ancestors, craftsmen must know how to apply science and technology, creating many product designs with quality that meets customer requirements.”
With guidance and instruction from his parents, both skilled carpenters in the village, and a focus on selecting materials, techniques, and aesthetics, Mr. Lam's family's products, such as tables, chairs, and altars, are always highly appreciated by customers and have a stable market. Currently, his production facility provides employment for 8 regular workers with an average income of 8-10 million VND per person per month.
"During the end of the year, the workload increases, so in addition to the support from my parents and the permanent team of workers, my family also hires many seasonal workers to quickly produce products while always ensuring quality to meet delivery deadlines for customers inside and outside the province," Mr. Lam said.
Mr. Lam is also one of many people passionate about preserving and promoting the traditional carpentry craft passed down from his ancestors. Currently, Hoang Hoa commune has one traditional craft, one traditional craft village operating in the field of civil carpentry (tables, chairs, cabinets, beds, etc.), attracting 275 households with a total of 755 workers. Besides providing employment for workers, the carpentry industry generates an estimated revenue of 275 billion VND, contributing to a more prosperous life for the people. However, Mr. Dang The Hien, owner of Hien Lan fine art wood furniture workshop, shared: The traditional carpentry craft is facing many difficulties and challenges. While before 2020, there was a large number of visitors and shoppers, in recent years, market demand has changed, and strong competition from industrial products has made business very difficult. Nevertheless, we still strive to preserve and stay committed to this profession, because it is not only our livelihood but also the essence and traditional values that our ancestors have passed down."
According to Le Hong Son, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoang Hoa commune, to preserve and promote the traditional carpentry craft, the commune will continue to encourage households to invest in machinery and apply modern technologies to increase productivity and product quality. At the same time, the commune will also focus on diversifying designs to suit modern market demands while maintaining traditional characteristics. The commune will also prioritize strengthening the development of the craft village's brand, enhancing its reputation, and promoting products in markets both within and outside the province. In addition, the commune will coordinate the organization of training courses on vocational skills, product management, marketing, and product design, encouraging young workers to stay committed to the traditional craft. Furthermore, the commune will strengthen inspection and monitoring to ensure environmentally friendly production, properly handling dust, noise, and wastewater.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, despite facing many difficulties, the carpentry craft here is still cherished, preserved, and kept alive by the people with skillful hands and a pride passed down through generations, contributing to the unique identity of the locality.
Text and photos: Trung Hieu
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thap-lua-nghe-moc-truyen-thong-271051.htm
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