Van Diem Wood Carving Village: A Traditional Craft of Vietnam
Van Diem is a small village in the suburb of Hanoi, about 20 km south from the city center. It belongs to Thuong Tin district, a rural area with many traditional craft villages. Van Diem is famous for its wood carving products, which are highly appreciated and favored in both domestic and international markets for their good authentic value, inimitable beauty and diversity.
The origin of the wood carving profession in Van Diem is still unknown, but it is said that it dates back to the 17th century. The villagers have inherited and preserved the craft secrets to make sophisticated products, such as furniture, statues, decorative items and souvenirs.
The wood carving products of Van Diem reflect the cultural identity and artistic taste of the Vietnamese people, as well as their aspiration for a prosperous and happy life. The wood carving process in Van Diem involves many steps and requires a lot of skill and patience from the artisans. First, they have to select suitable wood materials, such as jackfruit, pine, rosewood or ironwood. Then, they have to sketch the design on the wood surface and carve it with chisels, knives and other tools. After that, they have to polish and paint the products with natural colors from plants, minerals or shells. Finally, they have to add some details and decorations to make the products more attractive and unique.
Some of the most popular wood carving products of Van Diem are cupboards, tables, chairs, beds, long-chairs and other furniture items. They are often carved with floral patterns, animal motifs or scenes from folk tales and legends. Some of them are also inspired by Buddhist or Confucian symbols and teachings. Besides furniture, Van Diem also produces statues of Buddha, saints, heroes or celebrities, as well as decorative items such as vases, trays, boxes or lanterns.
Van Diem wood carving village is not only a place to produce and sell wood carving products, but also a cultural attraction for tourists who want to learn more about the traditional craft of Vietnam. Visitors can admire the skillful works of the artisans, watch them demonstrate their techniques and even try their hands at carving some simple shapes. They can also buy some souvenirs or gifts for their friends and family at reasonable prices.
Van Diem wood carving village is a proud example of how a traditional craft can survive and thrive in the modern era. It is also a testament to the creativity and talent of the Vietnamese people who can turn simple materials into exquisite artworks.
