Ha Nam intangible culture - Symbol of tradition and sustainability

Intangible culture in Ha Nam has become an indispensable symbol, a special highlight of tradition and sustainability in this locality. Exploring the unique features of this culture, we clearly see the attraction and profound value it brings.
 

First, the tradition of drum making in Doi Tam Village, Doi Son Commune, Duy Tien District, Ha Nam Province, lasts more than 1,000 years, from the reign of Nguyen Duc Nang and Nguyen Duc Ban, two brothers who are revered as the ancestors of the profession. This. In 986, they built a large drum to welcome King Le Dai Hanh. With the sound of the drum resounding far away, they were called Trang Sam. The drum making profession in Doi Tam is famous throughout the country, with village workers often returning to their hometown to participate in events such as village festivals or the death anniversary of their ancestors. This profession is only for boys and is passed down from father to son, ensuring the secrecy and continuity of the profession. Boys in Doi Tam village usually start learning to make drums at 12-13 years old and can participate in large drum production when they reach 16-17 years old. This work requires skill and experience, and village workers can make all kinds of drums, from temples to festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival. In the past, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Doi Tam village produced more than 20,000 drums for sale, but recently, drum production has decreased due to fewer buyers. The drum making process includes three main steps: making the skin, making the funeral, and carrying the drum. Buffalo skin is selected, treated to remove odour and dried. Jackfruit wood is often used for drums with paint and cloth covering the joints between pieces of wood. Finally, the buffalo skin is stretched and fixed with dead nails made from bamboo or old bamboo. Although the drum making process seems simple, Doi Tam drums are famous for their durability, beauty, and the dedicated spirit of the workers. Doi Tam Village maintains and develops this profession thanks to the spirit of solidarity and support among families. Today, artisans in Doi Tam still preserve and develop the traditional craft of their ancestors, bringing a more prosperous life to their families.
 
Second, compared to Ha Dong silk, Nha Xa silk is highly appreciated for its quality. Since the last century, the Saigon - Cho Lon market has trusted silk products from Nha Xa weaving village with their softness and shine. Nha Xa weaving village, located in Moc Nam commune (Duy Tien), has maintained and developed its craft village, not only beautifying life but also warming the hearts of people both at home and abroad. As the market gradually shifted to a market form, silk weaving was organised on a family basis. In 1993, the weaving village invested more than 200 million VND to build a power grid to each house, creating favourable conditions for production. Electricity has made the weaving village more active, helping to free up labour and double productivity. Today, Nha Xa weaving village has about 230 households and nearly 800 people, with about 350 main workers. Many families have organised reasonable production with 2-3 in-house weaving machines, from purchasing raw materials to selling finished products. Their markets are mainly big cities such as Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang and Saigon. The craft village has divided labour according to expertise, with an average wage of 300 to 400 thousand VND per month. The labour of hundreds of people inside and outside the village is utilised, which is the precious thing of this traditional weaving profession. Despite difficulties in capital and market, the craft village continues to expand and modernise production. Many families invest in additional weaving machines or switch to iron frames for long-term production. They are also sensitive to consumer tastes and constantly update new products such as linen goods, silk goods, floral silk goods and linen goods, while improving product quality and design. Nha Xa craft village is developing strongly, maintaining traditional values and bringing a sustainable source of living to the community. Wide roads, sturdy houses, and colourful silk fabrics are symbols of the prosperity and completeness of this craft village.

Finally, Do Hai traditional horn handicraft village is located in An Lao commune, Binh Luc district, Ha Nam province, with more than 200 households. By 1987, because of inappropriate mechanisms, the cooperative groups were officially dissolved and converted to household production groups. At this time, the village had 2 artisans and 6 workers recognized as Golden Hands. In 2004, Do Hai Village was recognized by the People's Committee of Ha Nam province as Do Hai Handicraft Horn Craft Village. This craft village has existed for more than a hundred years, when Mr. Nguyen Van Tan taught the craft to the people in the village. Initially, the product mainly served the needs of the northern region, but later expanded to domestic and foreign markets. By 1957, Thanh Son handicraft cooperative was established, developing many new types of products to meet the needs of the international market. With the attention and support of the state and local leaders, craft villages have increasingly developed and expanded their consumption markets to countries in Southeast Asia and Asia. From raw materials such as buffalo and cow horns, artisans and village workers have researched and produced hundreds of types of products to serve people's lives, from daily utensils such as horse horns, hair combs to fine arts products. sophisticated like statues, ancient relics and animals. The village's products are not only sophisticated but also unique, highly creative and artistic, and are exported to many countries around the world such as France, Hong Kong, Japan and the US.

With intangible culture, Ha Nam not only maintains its cultural identity but also enriches the cultural heritage of the whole country. By preserving and developing, this culture is not only the pride of the local community but also an important source of encouragement for the progress and stability of society.
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