The mystery of the century-old carpentry village

Duc Tho is a land steeped in history and culture, home to many long-standing traditional craft villages. Among which Tai Yen Woodworking Village in Tan Ben Thin Commune stands out as a distinctive gem passed down through generations. The artisans of Tai Yen Woodworking Village have helped enrich the beauty of the Duc Tho countryside. Introduced locally around the mid-16th century under King Le Dynasty. According to several clan genealogies, migration from the northern region settled in the Tai Yen area. Including some founding ancestors from traditional craft villages in Tan Hoa. From then on, the woodworking craft was handed down to villagers and became a cultural symbol of Tai Yen people. From unique products such as vases, sofas, beds, wardrobes, and ancestral altars. All are intricately carved, showcasing the valuable artistry of hereditary craftsmanship. By the hands of skilled artisans, the entire craft has been preserved through our 5th and 6th generations. Who were very passionate about their work, and among them many highly skilled craftsmen. So now, as I've been honored to continue the craft, I truly wish to carry on the traditions our ancestors passed down to the younger generation. Across many historical periods, Tai Yen Woodworking still stands firm today with famous products nationwide. Contributing to sustainable economic development for the locality. On July 2, 2011, at the Hanoi Grand Theater, Tai Yen Woodworking Village was recognized by the Vietnam Craft Village Association. As one of 9 craft villages contributing to the nation's socio-economic development. In March 2019, the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Science and Technology, has been granted a collective trademark registration certificate. Tai Yen Woodworking Traditional Craft Village, Duc Tho, Ha Tinh. To build the craft village, everyone in the traditional craft industrial cluster. We will strive to find new products, new brands. So we can try to build up the traditional craft village. Khoa told us that over here there's a craft village specializing in wardrobes, tables, and chairs. Today I'm here with Khoa on his recommendation, he's also looking to buy some household items. We've been to a few shops since this morning, and the designs, quality, and prices here look really good. But I also need to look around and shop for a few more pieces. So far this morning we've picked out a few products already. Overall, they pretty much meet my needs. However, facing the challenges of modern times. With fierce competition and the demand for large, industrially processed furniture. The people of Tai Yen still strive to preserve and grow the traditional woodworking brand. Products serving tourism need to be diverse. In style, they still need to be small, compact, and artistically distinctive. Because tourists normally can't carry large, heavy pieces. They need small, compact, handy items with the character of the craft village. Like cups, incense items, bath sponges, tea trays. So visitors can browse, buy, and share the local identity with friends near and far. The traditional woodworking craft village of Tai Yen in Tan Ben Thin Commune. Currently has 56 cooperatives and enterprises and over 1,037 production households. The village's total annual revenue is estimated at over 900 billion BND. Providing jobs for 1,902 local workers. With an average income of 7.4 million BND per person per month. To ensure the sustainable development of the woodworking craft, the locality has introduced many policies to attract enterprises to invest in production infrastructure. Today, the commune has the Tai Yen industrial cluster, covering 21.29 hectares, with a total investment of 102 billion BND. Major production facilities have relocated and are now operating within the industrial cluster. The village currently has five products certified as provincial OCOP items, including beds, sofas, and sofa sets by Hom Le Ben Enterprise, wooden kitchenware sets by My Nei Tai Yen Wooden Products Company Limited, and sofa sets by Fan Tang Yuan's business household. Achieving OCOP product certification is one of the key criteria. For Tan Ben Thin Commune to be recognized as a model new style rural commune. With outstanding performance in rural trades in 2023. The approach to attracting enterprises to invest in the industrial cluster. And to adopt technology in line with the industry 4.0 revolution. Is to establish a strong reputable craft village association with real capacity and resources to preserve the traditional craft of our ancestors in Dong Hai. Linked to the excellence of the traditional craft, the Tai Yen temple complex, dedicated to the patron saint of carpentry. Has also been recognized as a national historical and cultural heritage site. The Tai Yen temple was built over five centuries ago. Its most distinctive feature is the exquisite art of wood carving. A testament to the historical and cultural value and the talent of Tai Yen artisans. The same craftsman house enshrines the founding masters of the woodworking craft, patron saint Lo Ban and the master carpenters. Built in a traditional ceremonial style, the structure embodies the distinctive character of the craft village. It was raised to honor the ancestors and spread the woodworking trade among the villagers. In early 1892, the community pooled charitable funds together to erect this temple. The saint craftsman house stands within the older heritage complex. To this day, local residents still hold rituals honoring both their ancestors and the tutelary spirits. Tai Yen temple and the saint craftsman house are both architectural heritage sites. That share the common features of village temples beneath the craft, yet retain their own distinctive style, refined yet still richly ornate. They faithfully reflect the soul, character and talent of Tai Yen's woodworking artisans. The artisans of Tai Yen have persevered, writing a new chapter for the traditional craft. Today, the essence of Tai Yen's traditional craft endures through time. So that tomorrow it may become an endless source of inspiration for future generations of artisans to carry on. Developing the traditional woodworking village. It has become one of the largest wood furniture production and trade centers in the north-central region. In doing so, it also drives the growth of rural tourism and preserves the unique spiritual and cultural traditions of the Vietnamese people within the craft village.