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Cao Bang is located in the Northern Mountainous region of Vietnam, where many ethnic minorities reside. For a long time, the local residents have developed traditional crafts. Cao Bang's handicrafts have been so well-preserved and developed that attract numerous tourists to explore and learn about.
In Cao Bang, even though mass production technology developed and there are more and more alternative modern products, most of the local people are still passionate about their traditional handicrafts. There have been times when they have faced the risk of loss, but handicraft products still have a special position in the market thanks to their unique characteristics. In this article, we'll take a look at the most renowned traditional craft villages in this land.
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1. Phia Thap village of incense making
Located at the foot of Pha Hung mountain, in Quoc Dan commune, Quang Uyen district, Cao Bang province, the Phia Thap village boasts traditional incense-making crafts. The place is the main dwelling of the Nung ethnic group. What makes Phia Thap incense different from others is that it's made entirely from natural materials found in the limestone mountains, including apricot trees to make the sticks, sawdust, and, above all, the leaves of the local tree, which are used to make the glue that binds the materials together.
The structure of Vietnamese incense is divided into two parts: the stick and the incense powder. The stick of incense is made of bamboo or rattan that is cut and sharpened into pieces about 40 cm long, then dipped in water mixed with local leaf powder to create a binder. Afterward, the prepared bamboo pieces are dipped a few times into the incense powder, which is a consistent mixture made of local leaf powder and sawdust. This process must be done quickly so that the powder adheres firmly, ensuring the equal roundness of each incense stick.
Nung incense is not dried in an oven but is dried naturally under sunshine
Visiting Phia Thap village of incense making, you might see that all empty spaces such as backyards, walls and fields after harvesting are used of to dry the incense. When the sun rises, surrounding the village is filled with round bundles of incense. The half part of incense sticks will be dyed red after drying, then they are packed in small packets and ready for use. From young to old, all can participate in the production and bring incense to sell at the ethnic markets as well as serve tourists at spiritual places.
Incense from the village of Phia Thap is renowned among ethnic groups in region and becomes a commodity in all markets in the Cao Bang province thanks to its distinctive, delicate fragrance and natural ingredients. Incense production is not only important to the local economy but also helps to preserve a traditional profession steeped in the ethnic cultural identity of the Nung people.
2. Pac Rang village of blacksmithing, Phuc Sen
In order to build a powerful military force, the feudal Mac dynasty that existed in Vietnam in the 16th century had a weapon-forging factory built in Phuc Sen. At the same time, they recruited and trained natives to become forging craftsmen. During the war period, Phuc Sen locals used iron and steel to make guns, machetes and knives in order to help Vietnamese people resist to enemy. When the country was unified, locals switched to producing agricultural tools to supply the mountainous provinces with agricultural production and daily life.
Located on National Highway 3 towards the international border of Ta Lung, about 30 km northeast of Cao Bang City, the Pac Rang village in Phuc Sen commune dates back a history of about 500 years. The locals are mainly Nung An ethnic group, and many of them are blacksmiths. Their craft products are mainly for agricultural production and partly for the exchange of other commodities. Thanks to the good quality, the reputation of the craft village has gradually spread and many people in the vicinity have come to order. Although the metal products here are not luxurious and the price might be three times higher than similar products made in China, the products are soon sold out.
To obtain a complete knife, the backsmith has to do many steps including cutting the steel and forging it into a predetermined shape, hardening the steel, assembling the steel and grinding the finished product. The two processes of hardening and assembling the steel have created the fame for Pac Rang village's knives.
There was a time when blacksmithing in Pac Rang seemed to be lost. However, it is the dedication and passion for the profession that has helped the artisans remain in the profession. They found solutions by improving the quality of their products while promoting them widely throughout Vietnam, which combined with the investment in a community tourist village to attract tourists. In particular, the attributes of the local people of being very open and rustic have helped Phuc Sen remain in the favor of visitors.
In addition to learning about the forging process, visitors also have the opportunity to experience community tourism in Phuc Sen, where there is a peaceful ecological primeval forest and many other rural tranquil landscapes.
3. The villages of handmade batik on brocade
This traditional craft is most popular in Hoa Tham commune, Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province. Nobody knows exactly when brocade weaving began, but the brocade fabrics of the Dao Tien ethnic group have long been famous for their beautiful patterns and unique ethnic hues. According to ancient customs, before getting married, Dao girls must know how to sew and stitch so that they can weave their own wedding dresses.
Batik on brocade fabric is truly a sophisticated technique. The main materials for brocade weaving are jute, linen and indigo, which are cultivated, spun, woven and dyed by the local residents. The process of creating batik on fabric is quite sophisticated. The white fabric is placed on a flat surface and sanded until smooth. Then a bamboo stick soaked in heated beeswax is used to draw patterns on the white cloth.
Therefore, although it is the same cloth completely handmade and drawn with beeswax, no two finished cloths are ever the same. Brocade and batik products are basically used to make clothes, towels, and household textiles such as blankets, pillows, slings, etc. However, as time flies, ready-to-wear clothing can be easily found and bought from the shops. Spending too much time and effort to sew a traditional costume is gradually becoming less popular among the Dao Tien community. Faced with the risk of brocade weaving being lost, the locals have made many efforts to restore this traditional craft.
Nowadays, batik and brocade products have become meaningful souvenirs. These traditional villages are mostly located on the way to the Ban Gioc waterfall, the Ta Lung border crossing economic zone and near the Thang Hen Lake eco-tourism area. Shirts, bags and brocade designs are bought by more and more tourists, contributing to the local economy and the traditional craft preservation.
Currently, most of the traditional handicraft villages in Cao Bang welcome tourists to visit, take photos and stay in homestays. Although not yet fully equipped with modern conveniences, this area is indeed a great place for visitors to experience the simple and rustic life of the Tay, Nung, Dao people. The beautiful natural scenery, friendly people and typical traditional culture preserved will surely bring visitors new sensations.
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