Wood products of Van Diem craft village are exquisite. (Photo: lamgiau.laodongthudo.vn)

 

A visitor to Van Diem craft village may think that they are stepping into a big wood furniture workshop where diligent artisans work tirelessly round the clock. The sounds of chiseling, hammering, and sawing echo all around. Century-old Van Diem has become one of Vietnam’s most famous woodcraft villages, says Hoang Ky Tai, Chairman of the local Craft Village Association.

 

“In this village, you can find chairs made from rosewood, a high-quality hardwood. All the carved and engraved details are crafted by the village artisans and carpenters. From the intricate ‘nghe’ (mythical lion-like creatures) to the tables and chairs, every piece reflects the skill and artistry of our craftsmen,” said Tai.

 

What makes Van Diem woodcraft village appealing is not only the quality of its products, but also its rich tradition. Many local families have several generations engaged in the carpentry trade. Artisans have learned the craft from their ancestors and are constantly innovating to meet market demands.

 

Quyen Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Chairwoman of the Van Diem commune People’s Committee, said that around 600 of the 800 households in the village are engaged in wood furniture production and participate in some phase of the production process – wood cutting, processing, crafting, and trading. “Today we use machines for carving and chiseling,” according to Oanh.

 

 

Van Diem carpenters are diligently completing wood products. (Photo: velang.vn)

 

Skillful, creative artisans are crafting exquisite wood handicrafts in both antique and modern styles. Many of Van Diem's wood products have been exported. Hoang Ky Nhan, a local master artisan, said that the village craftsmen keep pace with market trends and people’s needs. “In order to do inlay carving in a style that appeals to younger people, for example, we must understand their tastes. A design is created on the computer before being produced in wood. If the first wood model is okay, it will be reproduced in large quantities,” Nhan told VOV.

 

With the development of the carpentry trade, Van Diem village has established a 70-hectare tourist area divided into zones for craft households, product displays, and dining services. Visitors can tour ancient stone wells, houses, and banyan trees, enjoy cultural activities, and visit historical sites such as the village’s communal house, pagoda, and temple dedicated to the craft’s founder, all of which have been recognized as national historical relics.

 

 

Van Diem traditional craft village was recognized as a tourism site in April 2023. (Photo: thuonghieuvaphapluat.vn)

 

Van Diem is connected to other tourist destinations in Thuong Tin District, including Hong Van bonsai village, Dau pagoda in Nguyen Trai commune, Quat Dong and Thang Loi embroidery villages, Thuy Ung horn comb carving village, Ha Thai lacquer village, and the temple dedicated to National Hero and World Cultural Celebrity Nguyen Trai in Nhi Khe commune.

 

Deputy Chairwoman Kim Oanh said that to support tourism development, Van Diem commune has leveraged its wood furniture production. “We’re restructuring the commune’s economy to increase the proportion of tourism and service, create more jobs, and boost local incomes while preserving cultural heritage. Van Diem has established a land reserve for the expansion of the craft village and its associated attractions,” said Oanh.

 

Due to its embrace of tourism, Van Diem carpentry village is becoming more crowded these days with a growing influx of domestic and international tourists.

 

Thuy Linh, Ngoc Tien