Self-reliance in old age

Familiar sounds echo each morning: the clacking of stone chisels in the courtyard, the clanging of hammers in the red-hot forge. These sounds don't come from young men, but from the sun-tanned, sinewy hands of those who have lived more than half a century. Old age, with its independent work as a source of joy, is no longer a trend, but an affirmation of the positive spirit of a seasoned generation.

Through the hands of Mr. Do Van Lien (resident of Binh Phuoc ward), these lifeless stones have been given life and shaped according to feng shui principles. Photo: Hien Luong

Dedicated to the craft of making flower pots and miniature landscapes.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, in a quiet corner of his small garden, a pair of gnarled hands still daily mold clay and stones, trim moss, and create miniature rock formations in everyday life. This is Mr. Do Van Lien (64 years old, residing in Binh Phuoc ward, Dong Nai province). Building miniature rock gardens and creating potted plants is not only a means of livelihood but also a joy, a way for Mr. Lien to preserve a refined hobby, cherish beauty, nurture his spirit, and keep his soul youthful.

Mr. Lien recounted that over 30 years ago, he left his hometown in Thanh Hoa province to start a new life in the South. Initially, he worked for a facility specializing in ornamental plants, and later learned the craft. Currently, Mr. Lien has established his own business and achieved considerable success. Mr. Lien said that on average, he completes one miniature landscape and one pot every two days, worth approximately 8 million VND.

“Today, the skillful hands of pot makers and sculptors are considered artisans. The miniature landscapes and products they create contribute to bringing people closer to and fostering a more harmonious relationship with nature,” shared Mr. Vu Minh Duc, of the Dong Nai Provincial Ornamental Plants Association.

"At first, I never thought I'd be in this profession for so long. I watched when I saw someone doing it well, then I learned from them. I did it repeatedly and it became a habit. It's also a lot of fun; I earn money and get to do a job I love," Mr. Lien shared.

Understanding customer psychology, Mr. Lien always dedicates his heart and creativity to breathing life into each piece. This ensures that each miniature landscape or animal sculpture possesses its own unique beauty, with no two pieces alike, giving buyers the feeling of owning a truly beautiful work of art.

Each miniature landscape that Mr. Lien creates is a work of art. Each product is valued from a few million to tens of millions of dong, or even up to 100 million dong depending on the complexity and customer requirements.

"As society develops and more houses are built, more people are interested in miniature landscapes and potted plants, and I have a steady stream of work, so I'm happy," Mr. Lien confided.

With the growing demand for beautifying living spaces, the craft of making ornamental pots and miniature landscapes is becoming a stable source of income for many people. These handcrafted products are popular not only in homes but also in construction projects, tourist areas, and restaurants. Therefore, each ornamental pot or miniature landscape is not simply a decorative item, but also carries feng shui significance, helping to bring prosperity and good fortune to the homeowner.

Many people wonder why he doesn't rest at this age. Mr. Lien said: "I could rest, but resting would be boring. As long as I feel healthy and happy working, I'll keep working. As long as I can work, my life has meaning."

Keeping the blacksmithing craft alive

Also choosing the path of financial independence in old age, Mr. Hoang Van Tham (60 years old, residing in Phu Nghia commune, Dong Nai province) has dedicated his entire life to the blacksmithing profession. In the age of machinery and mass-produced knives and tools, he still firmly holds the hammer and anvil to create each knife, machete, hoe, etc., by hand, not only to make a living but also to preserve a traditional craft that is gradually fading away. For him, labor is not simply about earning a living; it is also a way to live healthily, happily, and meaningfully.

Mr. Tham recounted that he was from Thanh Hoa province, the third-generation successor to his father's blacksmithing trade. From birth, he was familiar with the sounds of his father's anvil and hammer. Throughout his childhood, he witnessed the hardships and difficulties of blacksmithing, yet as he grew up, he remained passionate about it, unable to leave the profession. The blacksmithing trade in his hometown is hundreds of years old; during its heyday, blacksmiths worked day and night, with endless work. When he turned 15, he learned the trade from his grandfather and father. He went to school in the morning and learned to forge plow blades at home in the evening. Despite the hardships and difficulties, he loved the profession and never complained. Later, when he moved to the South, he still carried the flame of blacksmithing with him.

Mr. Tham shared: "This craft has been passed down through generations. I can tell just by looking at the red steel; whether a knife is sharp or not depends on my casting technique and my dipping in water to get the right color. Handcrafted work is slow but requires high skill, resulting in durable and beautiful products. Machine-made work is faster but doesn't produce the same results."

Blacksmithing is a hard job. Blacksmiths and their apprentices, wielding hammers, must possess great stamina to work from dawn until dusk. The steel billets are heated to thousands of degrees, and the charcoal furnaces are constantly glowing red. To create a product, the blacksmith must go through many stages, from cutting and shaping the iron and steel, heating, hammering, quenching in water, then heating and hammering again, until the product is shaped, then sharpened and a handle is made. Among them, the master blacksmith is the soul of the forge, possessing both patience and skillful hands.

Life has changed, opening up many avenues for earning a living, and consequently, the number of people pursuing the blacksmithing trade has gradually decreased. However, for dedicated artisans like Mr. Tham, the aspiration and determination to keep the craft alive continues to drive them every day. And so, despite their advanced age and weakening hands, seasoned blacksmiths like Mr. Tham still light the fire, hammer, and sweat beside the glowing coals to create durable and exquisite handcrafted products.

For Mr. Tham, blacksmithing is not just a means of livelihood, but also a calling, a lifelong passion. Continuing the craft is also a way to inspire and pass on skills to the younger generation, contributing to preserving the cultural identity of Thanh Hoa's traditional craft villages in the era of modernization and industrialization.

Hien Luong

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202508/tuoi-gia-tu-chu-3d82e21/