The blacksmiths of Bao Vinh village still work hard every day with hammers and anvils, creating dozens of different types of products.

The joy comes when at the end of 2024, Bao Vinh blacksmithing is recognized as a traditional craft of Hue, opening up opportunities for development and tourism connection. The government and people of Huong Vinh are making efforts to preserve and improve the lives of blacksmiths, keeping the fire of the hundred-year-old craft village alive.

Bao Vinh Ancient Town used to be a bustling trading port, a place where many historical and cultural values of the ancient capital converge. Besides the ancient houses, there is also a long-standing craft village with a rustic name: Forging Village. From the forging village, agricultural tools such as knives, sickles, hoes, plows, harrows... serving agricultural production "made in Bao Vinh" are present in many markets. Today, facing fierce competition from modern machinery, Bao Vinh people still persevere with their craft, opening up new directions by diversifying products and seeking larger markets.

Bao Vinh residential group currently has 28 households working in blacksmithing and mechanics, with 42 people. The workers still work hard every day with hammers and anvils, creating dozens of different types of products, not only serving agriculture but also meeting the needs of construction, carpentry and daily life. Like Mr. Truong Ty's forge, which produces many types of products every day, creating jobs for 7 workers; or the forge of veteran blacksmith Truong Thai - Head of Bao Vinh residential group; the forge of Mr. Huynh Huu Tuan, a young blacksmith, passionate about the profession... "Blacksmithing is not only a way of life but also a source of pride and love for the traditions of our ancestors. But if we want the profession to survive, we must innovate, be creative, and combine traditional techniques and modern technology," Mr. Truong Thai affirmed.

Bao Vinh's blacksmithing products are not only limited to traditional tools but also have diversified products, many types, thousands of types, better quality, more beautiful designs, consumed in most provinces and cities in the Central region. Every year, blacksmithing households produce more than 75,600 products. Blacksmithing has created jobs and stable income for households, the income of workers at the establishments ranges from 150 - 350 thousand VND/day. With 42 workers participating in production activities, the average income is from 6 to 8 million VND/person/month.

To maintain and develop Bao Vinh blacksmithing, the local government has had many support policies. Mr. Le Van Cuong, Acting Chairman of Huong Vinh Ward People's Committee, said that after being recognized as a traditional craft village, Bao Vinh has more motivation to keep the profession alive. The government will focus on promoting, connecting product consumption, supporting investment in machinery but still maintaining the unique handicraft features. The locality also promotes environmental protection, fire prevention and fighting in residential areas and pledges not to let the blacksmithing profession be exploited to produce illegal weapons.

Vice Chairman of Phu Xuan District People's Committee, Mr. Hoang Tan Ninh emphasized that, in order to survive, production households need to apply new technology, expand the market and promote their brands. The long-term orientation is to link production to improve competitiveness, while combining tourism development with craft villages. Bao Vinh Ancient Town is not only a cultural highlight but also a foundation for local economic and tourism development. Preserving and developing Bao Vinh blacksmithing is also a way to preserve a part of the cultural soul of the ancient capital.

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