Keeping the golden flame for the century-old craft village

DNVN - The century-old goldsmith craft village in the South was once famous. But today, that profession is struggling to not disappear in the fierce competition of the modern market.

When the yellow light "fades"

In the Southwest region, gold is not only a store of wealth, but also something closely associated with the cultural life, customs and aesthetics of the people. On weddings, death anniversaries or important occasions, women are always proud to wear gold bracelets, necklaces, earrings... handcrafted by the skillful hands of the local goldsmiths.

It is this need that has created centuries-old craft villages, once famous. But today, that craft is struggling to not disappear in the fierce competition of the modern market.

Mr. Tran Van Ben is working hard to improve designs to meet tastes.

Just over three decades ago, Binh Yen hamlet (Tan Huong commune, Dong Thap province) or My Loc commune (Tay Ninh province) was bustling with the sound of hammers and the grinding of gold and silver day and night. Marble rings, cement bracelets, bamboo necklaces... not only beautified life but were also considered symbols of abundance and prosperity. A skilled craftsman could craft a kilo of gold each year, earning enough income for his family to be well-off in a context of many hardships.

Not only stopping at material things, the goldsmith profession also brings pride and social status. The bride is married with a dowry of jewelry made by the craftsmen of her own village - that is pride, a testament to the ingenuity and quintessence of an entire community.

But then, as industrial manufacturing technology developed, tastes changed rapidly, and traditional products gradually lost their place. High prices and slow innovation in designs caused many families to no longer seek out craftsmen as before. Gold workshops gradually closed, and craftsmen had to quit their jobs to make a living in other jobs.

In Binh Yen hamlet, which used to be bustling, now only a few households remain. Mr. Nguyen Van Lai - an artisan who once considered his profession a way of life - had to sadly retire because "there were no orders for the whole month, while the costs were too high". The same story is repeated in My Loc commune, which used to be a "golden land" with dozens of households practicing the profession, but now only a few forges and hammers remain.

The Keepers of the Fire

Amidst the difficulties, there are still some quiet hands keeping the profession. Mr. Tran Van Ben (nearly 60 years old in Tan Huong, Dong Thap), still works hard on every little detail. He admits that his income is only equal to that of a worker, making it difficult to get rich, but he still sticks to the profession because "this is his career, the tradition his ancestors left behind." Not willing to stop, he experimented with combining modern designs with traditional products, hoping to find a place in the hearts of young people.

Mr. Tran Van Duc is creating a jewelry mold for a customer who just placed an order .

The younger generation has also dared to try. Mr. Tran Van Duc (in his early 30s) had to close his small workshop many times because of cheap imported products flooding the market. But he is still determined, "if the younger generation like me does not continue, this profession will be lost forever," Mr. Duc said.

In My Loc, Mr. Trinh Hoang Long (a nearly 50-year-old goldsmith) chose to open a vocational training class for young people. For him, teaching the profession is not only to maintain a livelihood but also to preserve the “soul of the craft village”. He said: “Goldsmithing is not only about making jewelry, but also about the culture and history of an entire land”.

Individual efforts will be insufficient without companionship. Some localities have begun to see the risk of extinction and have made plans to preserve it. In Tan Huong commune, the commune government is studying the restoration of the craft village, combining product promotion with tourism , and proposing policies to support capital and training for workers to feel secure in their commitment.

In fact, if properly oriented, the jewelry industry can become a cultural and tourist highlight, like many other traditional craft villages in Vietnam. Tourists not only buy jewelry, but also experience the sophisticated manufacturing process, understand more about the history and value of the profession. That is also a way for craftsmen to make a living with the profession, and the profession has a chance to revive.

Mr. Trinh Hoang Long with vocational training class for youth in the area.

The goldsmith village will shine again

The goldsmith profession in the South is not only a matter of livelihood, but also a legacy accumulated over hundreds of years. It reflects the lifestyle, customs, aesthetic taste and soul of the people of the South. Each gold and silver product is created not only for beauty, but also contains the quintessence, aspirations and identity of an entire community.

Today, although the golden light has somewhat faded, with the perseverance of the craftsmen and the cooperation of the government, there is still hope that one day the goldsmith craft village will shine again. It is not only the revival of a profession, but also a journey to preserve a part of the Southern soul for the future.

An Xuyen - Viet Hieu

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/kinh-te/giu-lua-vang-cho-lang-nghe-tram-tuoi/20250927092545758