Blacksmiths wield their hammers in the furnace amidst the sweltering summer heat.

(Baohatinh.vn) - In the sweltering, stifling heat of summer, blacksmiths in Trung Luong village (Bac Hong Linh ward, Ha Tinh province) still diligently swing their hammers, tirelessly earning a living.

These days, the weather in Ha Tinh is continuously hot and sunny, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, affecting the lives of the people. Amidst the scorching heat, in Trung Luong blacksmith village (Bac Hong Linh ward), the craftsmen are still diligently working beside their glowing charcoal furnaces.

Stepping into the blacksmith's workshop, a feeling of stifling heat immediately enveloped me. The clanging of hammers echoed incessantly, mingling with the whirring of fans and the bright red flames from heated iron bars. The craftsmen, clad only in thin shirts, sweated profusely, concentrating on each step of shaping the products.

To alleviate the pressure from the heat, many households have to arrange their work hours from early morning or extend until late at night. From 4 a.m., the family of Mr. Cao Duc Hieu (born in 1975, residing in Tien Son Hamlet) has already lit their fires to work. Having been involved in the profession for nearly 30 years, summer is the most arduous working time for him and many other blacksmiths.

“In the summer, if the outside temperature is around 39 or 40 degrees Celsius, the furnace area can reach 45-46 degrees Celsius due to the heat radiating from the fire and red-hot metal. Standing next to the forge, sweat pours down like a shower; the stifling heat makes the already strenuous work even more difficult. Sometimes, the heat and fatigue make it hard to breathe, and we have to rest every now and then, ” Mr. Hieu shared.

Not far from Mr. Hieu's family blacksmith workshop, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Quy (born in 1973, residing in Tien Son residential area) and his wife are still diligently working. The hot weather combined with coal dust causes the couple to constantly pause to regain their strength.

Mr. Quy shared: “To minimize the heat this season, we work from 4 to 9 in the morning and start work at 4 PM. To adapt to the weather, I've added fans and prepared tea and water... This job is very hard in the summer, but we're used to it and can't bear to give it up, so we still try our best to work every day.”

Not only are the men diligently engaged in their work, but many women working in blacksmithing are also constantly busy. Women in the blacksmithing village often participate in the finishing stages such as grinding and shaping.



Sweat streamed down the faces of the blacksmiths who clung to their forges.



Currently, nearly 60 families in Trung Luong blacksmith village are still engaged in the craft. It is estimated that the village produces approximately 2,000 products per day, generating an income of about 1 million VND per household per day. Despite the hard work and harsh weather conditions, the village continues to operate its forges under the highest standards of fire safety.



Amidst the scorching heat of Central Vietnam, the image of diligent blacksmiths working beside their blazing furnaces has become a hallmark of Trung Luong craft village. The flames in the forges not only temper iron and steel but also symbolize the perseverance and hard work of the people dedicated to this traditional craft. The sound of hammers echoing through the sweltering summer heat is a familiar rhythm of life, continuing the journey of preserving the craft for generations of people here.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/tho-ren-mua-bua-trong-lo-lua-giua-ngay-he-nong-buc-post311364.html