People's Artisan Nguyen Van Tinh elevates Vietnamese bamboo and rattan

Over 50 years in the profession, he has gone through many ups and downs, keeping the passion burning like the first day he touched the bamboo fibers as a child.

People's Artisan Nguyen Van Tinh with rattan and bamboo products. Photo: Nguyen Mai

Half a century of weaving rattan …

Born into a family with a tradition of bamboo and rattan weaving, artisan Nguyen Van Tinh's father is artisan Nguyen Van Khieu, the first person in Vietnam to weave a portrait of Uncle Ho from bamboo and rattan, and also a pioneer in Phu Vinh craft village in applying decorative motifs to bamboo and rattan.

Since childhood, Mr. Tinh understood that, for Phu Nghia craftsmen, each rattan fiber is not only a raw material, but also the lifeblood and pride of the homeland. “Bamboo and rattan are the material of the village, but also the material of the soul. If the craftsman does not have love and patience, he will never be able to create a vivid work of art,” he once shared.

With his skillful hands, artisan Nguyen Van Tinh has created countless exquisite products. Each vase, hanging lamp, decorative basket or rattan furniture set is not only a handmade product, but also a work of art - a convergence of technique, aesthetics and the soul of Vietnamese craftsmen.

In 2006, the product “Hanging Lamp” by artisan Nguyen Van Tinh won the first prize in the “Golden-V” product design innovation award awarded by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Two years later, his “Rattan Vase” continued to win the first prize in the Vietnam handicraft product competition organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ). These awards not only recognized talent, but also affirmed the position of Vietnamese rattan and bamboo crafts on the regional handicraft map.

Not stopping at inheriting traditional techniques, artisan Nguyen Van Tinh always researches and creates. He is one of the pioneers in combining rattan and bamboo with iron, ceramic and lacquer materials, creating a new, modern style while still preserving the national spirit. From these bold experiments, a series of new designs were born, warmly welcomed by domestic and foreign markets.

“To develop the profession, craftsmen cannot just rely on the old, they must be creative, must keep up with new tastes, but must not lose the traditional spirit,” he said proudly. It is this spirit that has helped Phu Nghia rattan and bamboo products step out into the world , present in cultural events and exhibitions in France, Thailand, China, India, the Philippines and many other countries.

At important events of the capital and the country, such as the Hanoi Craft Village Festival or the 70th anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day, the works of artisan Nguyen Van Tinh are always selected to be displayed as symbols of the quintessence of the capital's craft villages. Every time he appears at craft shows or international fairs, the audience follows his every skillful movement, surprised when from his hands, soft shapes gradually appear as if by magic. "This job is hard but very fun. Every time I complete a product, I feel like I have just told another story about my homeland," he said, his eyes shining with pride.

Preserving the passion for the profession and passing it on to the younger generation

It is said that traditional crafts can only survive when there are people keeping the fire alive. For artisan Nguyen Van Tinh, that fire has never been extinguished. Not only is he constantly creating, he also devotes himself to passing on his craft and training young craftsmen - those who will follow in his father's footsteps to preserve the soul of bamboo and rattan. For many years, artisan Nguyen Van Tinh has not been afraid of long distances, bringing his skills and passion everywhere - from vocational training classes in Phu Nghia to other localities of the capital and the northern provinces. His students are now everywhere, some have become owners of production facilities, some have opened export businesses, contributing to creating jobs and increasing income for hundreds of workers. Mr. Tinh's two sons, Nguyen Van Binh and Nguyen Phuong Quang, have both been awarded the title of artisan. The second son was awarded the title of Meritorious Artisan by the President in 2016, when he was only 28 years old.

Not only a teacher, Mr. Tinh is also a connector, a bridge between traditional craft villages and the modern world. As a member of the Phu Nghia Bamboo and Rattan Association and the Hanoi Handicraft and Craft Villages Association, he actively participates in trade promotion activities, connecting OCOP products, promoting craft villages associated with experiential tourism. Every time asked why he is over 60 years old and still does not rest, he just smiles gently: "As long as you have strength, you still have to work. Work not only for yourself, but for the profession, for the village."

To the government and people of Phu Nghia, Mr. Tinh is not only a skilled craftsman, but also a good example of life, always active in emulation movements, social work, charity, and contributions to the community. He was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee in 2015, a Certificate of Merit by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2022, and was recognized by the People's Committee of Chuong My district as an outstanding elderly person with good economic performance in the period 2018-2023. In particular, in 2025, he was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee for his outstanding achievements in association work managed by the Department of Industry and Trade.

On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day, October 10, he continued to be awarded the title "Excellent Worker of the Capital" by the city - a noble award recognizing his tireless dedication.

Chairwoman of the Hanoi Handicraft and Craft Villages Association Ha Thi Vinh shared that in the midst of modern life, when many traditional crafts are gradually fading away, people like artisan Tinh are the “soul” of Vietnamese craft villages. Thanks to them, Phu Nghia rattan and bamboo craft not only exists, but also affirms its brand in the domestic and foreign markets. Such development not only brings economic value, but also preserves a part of Vietnamese cultural identity.

Talking about his journey of preserving and developing his traditional craft, artisan Nguyen Van Tinh just smiled gently: "I don't do anything big, I just try to do a good job as a craftsman, keep the craft passed down from my ancestors and teach it to the younger generation so that tomorrow our village will still have the sound of rattan weaving, the laughter of labor." That saying is simple but contains a philosophy of life - the philosophy of an artisan who has devoted his whole life to his craft, his hometown, and his people. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the times, amidst the transformation of traditional craft villages, People's Artisan Nguyen Van Tinh is like a bamboo tree - sturdy, durable, resilient, proud. From those hands, many generations of students have grown up, and many Vietnamese rattan and bamboo products have been elevated.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nghe-nhan-nhan-dan-nguyen-van-tinh-nang-tam-may-tre-viet-718687.html