Hundred-year-old craft village attracts international tourists

Along the historic Chanh River, there is a centuries-old craft village, a pride of the people of Quang Yen, not only closely associated with the development of this land rich in historical and cultural traditions but also a tourist attraction for domestic and international visitors. That is the Hung Hoc fishing gear weaving craft village (Nam Hoa ward, Quang Yen town).

Coming to Quang Yen town, crossing the bridge over the poetic and peaceful Chanh river, you will set foot in this hundred-year-old traditional craft village. In Hung Hoc, the whole village knows how to do the job. The craftsmen do not distinguish between ages, from young children to 70-80 year olds can all participate in production. The whole village is like a big factory.

According to the elders, perhaps because the Ha Nam island region has a river system, many canals, and river mouths that divide hamlets and villages. Therefore, since ancient times, people who reclaimed and opened up land knew how to use bamboo, rattan, and wood to weave simple boats and fishing tools to serve the needs of transportation and catching fish and shrimp in daily life.

faf — Hung Hoc people are skilled, hard-working, and creative, creating famous durable and beautiful products.

According to records, the traditional fishing gear weaving village of Hung Hoc was formed in the mid-15th century. The founder of the craft was Mr. Tien Cong from Chi Linh (Hai Duong). He originally had the profession of weaving perch and crucian carp traps. Seeing that the coastal tidal flats had countless shrimp, crabs, fish, etc., he created various types of traps, nets, and nets to catch seafood and passed the craft on to his descendants and villagers during their free time to increase their income.

Continuing that tradition, later, people created the craft of weaving bamboo boats. The boats are light and maneuverable, serving the purpose of catching seafood and transporting materials on rivers and at sea. Gradually, weaving bamboo boats became the traditional craft of the people of Hung Hoc village.

Still remembering the time he visited the craft village, artisan Nguyen Anh Sau ( zone 3, Nam Hoa ward) said that the reason this craft is famous and widespread in the province, including Hai Duong, Hai Phong... and also bought boats is because in addition to their skills, dexterity, and diligence, the artisans here are very careful in weaving boats. The bamboo strips used to weave fishing gear are carefully hand-sharpened and carefully processed before weaving... Therefore, Nam Hoa fishing gear is not only beautiful but also very durable.

faf — In addition to traditional products, artisans in Nam Hoa also create fine art and decorative products to serve tourists.

Famous durable and beautiful products are made from good bamboo, taken from the highlands and old forests of Vang Danh (Uong Bi) and Hoanh Bo (now Ha Long). The collected materials will be mixed into long fibers, carefully hand-shaven, carefully processed, then depending on what product is being woven, it will be processed appropriately.

Nowadays, facing the strong development trend, artisans of craft villages have boldly invested in modern equipment to make stronger and better bamboo boats; manufacture composite boats and canoes based on traditional boat frames; repair bamboo boats with composite fiber mixtures... Not only preserving the profession, many skillful artisans have also created small-sized handicraft bamboo boats, vivid types of fishing gear (traps, nets, traps) as decorative items. One of them is the handicraft bamboo boat work of artisan Nguyen Anh Sau, which has become a famous OCOP product.

In 2015, Hung Hoc craft village was officially recognized as a traditional craft village by the Provincial People's Committee. Quang Yen Town also recognized the craft village as one of 11 local tourist destinations. "With its outstanding traditional values, Hung Hoc is a unique craft village, a great source of raw materials for developing cultural and experiential tourism, attracting visitors, especially international visitors" - Mr. Duong Van Hao, Vice Chairman of Quang Yen Town People's Committee, shared.

In recent years, Quang Yen town has focused on developing infrastructure, renewing tourist attractions, and promoting cooperation with Saigontourist and travel agencies to bring international and cruise tourists to visit and experience. Coming to the craft village, visitors can experience the life of the people of Ha Nam island, and be guided by experienced craftsmen on the process of making a fishing tool for catching seafood.

International tourists enjoy the experience of traditional craft villages. Photo: Mai Linh

Despite many difficulties, the craft village is always a favorite destination for tourists. Since serving tourists, the products of the craft village have become attractive souvenirs for tourists, also opening a new direction for sustainable development for the craft village...

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