Dong Giao: the Vietnamese village where wood comes to life
Throughout the village, the rhythmic sounds of chiselling, sawing and carving fill the air.
At the village entrance, visitors may catch sight of artisan Vu Xuan En hard at work on a massive tree root.
He is creating an ambitious sculpture featuring hundreds of prominent figures from Vietnamese history. The root itself is impressive: 6 meters wide, 3.3 meters tall and around 5 (metric) tons in weight.
The work is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
"I'm deeply passionate about this piece," said En. "My older brother shares a deep love for Vietnamese history, so together we decided to create this sculpture, '4,000 Years of Vietnamese History,' from a single tree root. We wanted it to be not only beautiful but meaningful."
En is one of the village's most respected artisans, having inherited the craft from his family over generations.
"To master this craft, you need both passion and natural talent," he explained. "That's the only way to become a truly skilled artisan."
After working in the trade for 37 years, En has mastered every task involved. Yet he said the most challenging part is carving human figures, as details must be exact, so people can recognize who they are.
The artisan has made a good livelihood through wood carving.
Profound passion
Like En, many artisans in Dong Giao remain loyal to their craft for decades.
"This work demands perseverance, a love of learning and genuine passion," said woodcarver Vu Van Tao, 27, who has 12 years of experience. "If you're only in it for the money, it won't work."
Tao added that young people like him bring fresh creativity.
"With social media, there's so much to learn, including techniques from China that we adapt and build upon," he said. "We continuously refine the details -- facial expressions, carving lines -- and over time, our work becomes more beautiful and unique."
Nguyen Thi Hoa, one of the few women in the trade, said her love for the craft keeps her going, even when the work is exhausting.
"I'm so passionate about it, I just can't walk away," she said.
Hoa has been carving for nearly 20 years and has noticed more young people joining the trade.
"That's why I keep learning from those more skilled than me, always seeking new ideas to improve my products and increase their quality and value," she explained.
For 60-year-old woodcarver Vu Van Nang, President Ho Chí Minh's teachings remain relevant. "President Ho once said, 'Study, study more, study forever,'" he recalled. "As craftsmen, we must do the same -- keep learning endlessly, only stopping when our minds can no longer go on."
Nang said he has loved this craft since childhood, and everyone here is dedicated to nurturing and strengthening it over time.
Dong Giao village is home to over 1,000 households, with 95 perz cent still practicing the centuries-old tradition of wood carving.
"The local authorities actively support the community, first by facilitating access to loan programmes, especially employment-support loans through policy banks, to help villagers maintain and grow their woodworking businesses," said village head Vu Duc Thinh. "We're also training apprentices from other regions, passing on skills so they can contribute to the future of our craft village."
Long tradition
The wood carving craft in Dong Giao has existed for over 300 years. In the past, Dong Giao artisans were renowned for producing worship items such as altar tables, temple gates, horizontal panels and couplets.
These products were highly prized in neighboring provinces and cities.
Moreover, the skilled hands of Dong Giao craftsmen have left their mark on many famous architectural works across the country.
Even today, the people of Dong Giao take pride in the contributions of their talented artisans in building the ancient Imperial City of Hue.
According to village legend, during the reign of King Le Canh Hưng (1740–1786), Dong Giao craftsmen, represented by Vu Xuan Ngon, were present in Hue to participate in construction projects for the feudal dynasty.
To this day, in Hue, there remains a village of Dong Giao artisans called Dong Tien, which continues to preserve the craft passed down through generations.
Dong Giao craftsmen are known for their skillfulness, intelligence and diligence.
Over time, they have continuously innovated, improved their designs and enhanced their skills. They have also applied scientific and technical advances in production, creating an incredibly rich and diverse range of wood carving products for both domestic and overseas markets, including China among others.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Korea Herald
Dong Giao: the Vietnamese village where wood comes to life
HANOI, Vietnam (Viet Nam News/ANN) -- It's a typical day in Dong Giao wood carving village in Hai Phong City's Cam Giang District. Throughout the village, the rhythmic sounds of chiselling, sawing and carving fill the air. At the village entrance, visitors may catch sight of artisan Vu Xuan En hard at work on a massive tree root. He is creating an ambitious sculpture featuring hundreds of prominent figures from Vietnamese history. The root itself is impressive: 6 meters wide, 3.3 meters tall and around 5 (metric) tons in weight. The work is expected to be completed by the end of next year. "I'm deeply passionate about this piece," said En. "My older brother shares a deep love for Vietnamese history, so together we decided to create this sculpture, '4,000 Years of Vietnamese History,' from a single tree root. We wanted it to be not only beautiful but meaningful." En is one of the village's most respected artisans, having inherited the craft from his family over generations. "To master this craft, you need both passion and natural talent," he explained. "That's the only way to become a truly skilled artisan." After working in the trade for 37 years, En has mastered every task involved. Yet he said the most challenging part is carving human figures, as details must be exact, so people can recognize who they are. The artisan has made a good livelihood through wood carving. Profound passion Like En, many artisans in Dong Giao remain loyal to their craft for decades. "This work demands perseverance, a love of learning and genuine passion," said woodcarver Vu Van Tao, 27, who has 12 years of experience. "If you're only in it for the money, it won't work." Tao added that young people like him bring fresh creativity. "With social media, there's so much to learn, including techniques from China that we adapt and build upon," he said. "We continuously refine the details -- facial expressions, carving lines -- and over time, our work becomes more beautiful and unique." Nguyen Thi Hoa, one of the few women in the trade, said her love for the craft keeps her going, even when the work is exhausting. "I'm so passionate about it, I just can't walk away," she said. Hoa has been carving for nearly 20 years and has noticed more young people joining the trade. "That's why I keep learning from those more skilled than me, always seeking new ideas to improve my products and increase their quality and value," she explained. For 60-year-old woodcarver Vu Van Nang, President Ho Chí Minh's teachings remain relevant. "President Ho once said, 'Study, study more, study forever,'" he recalled. "As craftsmen, we must do the same -- keep learning endlessly, only stopping when our minds can no longer go on." Nang said he has loved this craft since childhood, and everyone here is dedicated to nurturing and strengthening it over time. Dong Giao village is home to over 1,000 households, with 95 perz cent still practicing the centuries-old tradition of wood carving. "The local authorities actively support the community, first by facilitating access to loan programmes, especially employment-support loans through policy banks, to help villagers maintain and grow their woodworking businesses," said village head Vu Duc Thinh. "We're also training apprentices from other regions, passing on skills so they can contribute to the future of our craft village." Long tradition The wood carving craft in Dong Giao has existed for over 300 years. In the past, Dong Giao artisans were renowned for producing worship items such as altar tables, temple gates, horizontal panels and couplets. These products were highly prized in neighboring provinces and cities. Moreover, the skilled hands of Dong Giao craftsmen have left their mark on many famous architectural works across the country. Even today, the people of Dong Giao take pride in the contributions of their talented artisans in building the ancient Imperial City of Hue. According to village legend, during the reign of King Le Canh Hưng (1740–1786), Dong Giao craftsmen, represented by Vu Xuan Ngon, were present in Hue to participate in construction projects for the feudal dynasty. To this day, in Hue, there remains a village of Dong Giao artisans called Dong Tien, which continues to preserve the craft passed down through generations. Dong Giao craftsmen are known for their skillfulness, intelligence and diligence. Over time, they have continuously innovated, improved their designs and enhanced their skills. They have also applied scientific and technical advances in production, creating an incredibly rich and diverse range of wood carving products for both domestic and overseas markets, including China among others.
Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Korea Herald
Japanese retirees invigorate their post-work lives by making their community debuts
TOKYO (Japan News/ANN) -- This is said to be the era of the 100-year lifespan, when people live for a long time after they retire from work. And if you have a lot of years to live, won't you want to make them fulfilling? Once your office no longer provides you with a place to belong, why not find a new one in your local community? I explored ways to make your "community debut" by participating in community activities like volunteer work and hobby circles. Volunteering with peers One afternoon in mid-January, Susumu Takahashi, 73, wearing a blue apron, loaded bento boxed meals containing satsumaage deep-fried fish paste and other ingredients into his car. He got behind the wheel, raised his right hand to wave goodbye and set off. He spent the next hour and a half delivering the bento boxes to about 10 homes where elderly people live. Since 2021, Takahashi has done paid volunteer work about 10 times a month for a public interest incorporated foundation that provides home welfare services in Chofu, Tokyo. "When I worked for a company, I was rarely told thank you to my face. Now, I receive thanks from users and staff members, and it feels great," he said. "That gives me a motivation to work hard for them," he added. Before he resigned from his job as an advertising company executive in 2021, he had not paid much attention to his local community. But he learned that mutual support and connections between local residents are crucial when natural disasters occur, and so he decided to learn more about his own community. Then, when he was reading a city newsletter, he noticed an ad soliciting volunteers for the foundation he now works with. Thinking, "I might be able to help them," he applied, and this led to him making his community debut. At first, with no particular interest in welfare or volunteering, he was nervous. He wondered if he would be able to keep up the work. But seeing other volunteers of various ages working vigorously and enthusiastically has given him the inspiration to continue. Even when he is admonished by young staff members, he says, "I try to readily accept their warnings and advice." As he is delivering meals in the evening, he encounters elderly people out for a stroll and parents coming and going, carrying their children on electric bicycles. Scenes like this are new to him; he never saw them when he was working for the company. In addition to meal delivery, his volunteer activities also include cleaning up the homes of elderly people. When he is at home, his wife gives him advice on cleaning methods, which gives them an opportunity to have lively conversations. "Life after retirement is long. When I talk to people, I don't just want to talk about my professional experiences but also about my volunteer work since I retired," he said, with an expression of total fulfillment. Supporting community debut In July 2023, the city of Sano, Tochigi prefecture, implemented a law of a kind that few other Japanese municipalities have tried: an ordinance to help senior citizens make their community debut. The ordinance says it is important for retired people to stay connected to society through work, hobbies, volunteering and other activities. The ordinance is aimed at building a society where senior citizens can live happily in their local communities, according to Sano Mayor Yutaka Kaneko. The municipal government created a manual for making community debut, which recommends "Imakatsu," a word coined by the government that means "activities that allow you to enjoy your life by rediscovering things that you like or are interested in at this moment." Writing down things that you used to like when you were young or those you want to try now can help you find activities that you may want to start. As for things that you are good at, you can choose an answer from options such as "I can teach it to others" and "I want to learn from someone else so I can master it," to help you decide how to pursue your activities. An easy way to make your community debut is to participate in preventive care classes or hobby courses. Also, if you find a hobby, such as collecting Goshuin stamps, assembling models, singing in a chorus or visiting historical places, you can make friends and learn about the attractions of your community. "We hope retired people will not hesitate to start something new and enrich their lives," said one municipal government official. Finding favorite activities Tokyo's Setagaya Ward is home to a citizens' group that helps people make their community debut. Tatsuro Usui, 74, the representative of the group, explained some important points for enjoying community activities after retirement. Flyers and leaflets introducing community activities are available at community centers and other facilities; information can also be found on the internet. If you find an activity you want to join, don't overthink it — just give it a try. Some groups allow new people to participate in their activities on a trial basis for a certain period of time. Participating in multiple activities will help you find activities you enjoy or people you like. If you don't like an activity, you can quit. There's no need to force yourself to continue. Some people who were in management positions or experienced employees before retirement may find it difficult to stop treating other people as if they are subordinates. However, you should use the Japanese honorific suffix "san" when addressing other people regardless of how old they are or how long they have been participating in the activity. It's vital to show respect for every person's life experiences. People in their 60s are usually the oldest ones at a company, but among the senior generation they are still young. Their participation can breathe fresh energy to the activities they take part in. Hopefully these people will enliven their communities with new feelings and ideas.
Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Korea Herald
Almost 8 in 10 adults in Singapore read at least one book in 2024: reading survey
SINGAPORE (Straits Times/ANN) -- Reading habits in Singapore remain positive, with nine in 10 teenagers and almost eight in 10 adults reading at least one book in the past year, according to the latest National Reading Habits Study. Conducted every three years by the National Library Board (NLB), the 2024 study also found habitual reading levels have reverted to pre-pandemic norms, with 81 percent of teens and 89 percent of adults reading multiple times a week. Reading materials include books, news articles and online content, and exclude textbooks and communications such as e-mails, WhatsApp and Telegram messages. NLB said that the unprecedentedly high levels of reading seen in the 2021 NRHS were likely bolstered by lifestyle changes during the pandemic. Additionally, it was conducted primarily online due to Covid-19 restrictions, unlike the usual door-to-door interviews. The difference in survey methodology is known to significantly skew the results, making direct comparisons inaccurate. Despite the growing popularity of digital content, physical books remain the most widely read format. Among teens, 83 percent read physical books, compared with 54 percent who read e-books and 8 percent who listened to audiobooks. Similarly, 75 percent of adults read physical books, while 55 percent used e-books and 14 percent listened to audiobooks. While almost two in three library loans are physical items, NLB said there has been a shift towards digital formats among older adults. Physical bookstores were the top choice to obtain books, with 62 percent of teens and 54 percent of adults purchasing books there. Libraries followed closely, especially among 58 percent of teens, with 44 percent borrowing books from NLB. Seniors are also increasingly turning to digital platforms, with 35 percent of readers aged above 60 now using e-books. While the study showed strong agreement on the benefits of reading, such as broadening world views and improving critical thinking, reading for pleasure did not fare as well. Although 70 percent in both groups said they found reading enjoyable, only 56 percent of teens and 66 percent of adults found it relaxing. Associate professor Loh Chin Ee from the National Institute of Education said that this is not unexpected as time is an issue for Singaporeans, who are busy. She said that more can be done to encourage Singaporeans to read more regularly, especially youth. "Investment in school libraries from kindergarten, with attractive and relevant physical collections -- this helps to bring books closer to children and teens, to encourage them to find interesting books to read." She added that secondary schools can introduce the NLB app to students on their personal learning devices and give them time to read on it during school. "This is to allow them to become familiar with using it to source for and read books." The 2024 study involved a total of 4,623 residents, consisting of 3,725 adults over 20 years old and 898 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19. NLB chief executive Ng Cher Pong said the findings are a testament to Singaporeans' enduring love for reading. "Over the past 30 years, NLB has been constantly finding ways to better meet our patrons' needs and to promote the joy of reading. This includes bringing books closer to communities through mobile libraries and boosting our digital collections when the pandemic struck," he said, adding that as NLB marks its 30th anniversary in 2025, it hopes to bring even more new reading and learning experiences to everyone. Emily Tan, 16, picked up a love for reading in secondary school. The first-year ITE student said she had to bring books to read during morning assembly and the school's reading periods, and that nurtured her love for books. "At first, I started reading comics, but the school introduced us to Percy Jackson as part of the reading programme, and now I'm hooked on Greek mythology," she said. Emily has recently discovered romance novels, and prefers buying books from stores like Popular as she finds that some library books are not well maintained, with foxing or missing pages. She is now on her fifth book of 2025, although pursuing a Higher Nitec in biochemical technology has left her with less time to read. "I have a lot of work to do, so I read mostly at night. But since I share a room with my sister, I have to switch off the lights when she sleeps," she said, adding that she continues reading in the dark, relying on whatever light filters in from outside, "and that is challenging." She said she has a list of books she plans to read, and sees herself immersing in books -- even in her old age. "Reading is more than a hobby," she said. "I read to unwind and escape from reality, so that I don't get too stressed by daily life."
