Experience Traditional Craft Villages in Hà Nam: Unique Cultural Beauty

Hà Nam is not only famous for its beautiful landscapes and enticing local delicacies but also attracts visitors with its ancient traditional craft villages, preserving unique cultural values. Let's explore some of the typical traditional craft villages here with Tiến Lộc Palace Hotel:

I. Đọi Sơn Drum Making Craft: Resonating tradition over millennia

Nestled amidst the peaceful hamlets of Đọi Sơn commune, Duy Tiên district, Hà Nam province, Đọi Sơn Drum Making Craft village echoes like a symphony resonating over a history spanning more than 1000 years. Here, the village preserves the ancient secrets and craftsmanship passed down through generations, crafting Đọi Sơn drums whose sound reverberates across the country.

Hà Nam is renowned not only for its stunning landscapes and tantalizing local delicacies but also for its ancient traditional craft villages, which preserve unique cultural values. Let's explore some of the notable traditional craft villages with Tiến Lộc Palace Hotel:

I. Đọi Sơn Drum Making Craft: Resonance through the ages

Hidden amidst the tranquil hamlets of Đọi Sơn commune, Duy Tiên district, Hà Nam province, Đọi Sơn Drum Making Craft village resonates like a thunderous symphony over its millennia-long history. Legend has it that in 986 AD, during a royal farming event led by King Lê Đại Hành, artisans Nguyễn Đức Năng and Nguyễn Đức Bản crafted a large drum to welcome the king. The resounding thunder-like sound left a lasting impression on the king, earning the artisans the title "Trạng Sấm" (Thunderous Artisans). From then on, the craft of Đọi Sơn drum making flourished.

Exquisite craftsmanship embedded in every beat:
To create a complete drum, Đọi Sơn artisans meticulously go through three main stages: preparing the drum skin, crafting the drum shell, and assembling the drum. The drum skin is meticulously selected from female buffalo hide, carefully processed to remove any odor, then soaked, tanned, and sun-dried. The drum shell is predominantly made from jackfruit wood, cut into precise segments tailored to each drum's specific size. Finally, the buffalo skin is stretched tightly over the drum face and secured with pegs made from aged bamboo or buffalo horn.

The craft of Đọi Sơn drum making is not just about creating a musical instrument but also embodies sophisticated techniques, meticulous craftsmanship, and the soul of the artisans. Each drumbeat resonates as a harmonious blend of sound, cultural heritage, and pride in a longstanding tradition.

Preserving cultural identity:
Despite the passage of time, Đọi Sơn Drum Making Craft village continues to uphold its cultural prominence. Artisans here deeply cherish and preserve the precious traditions passed down through generations. They continuously innovate and refine their techniques to ensure that the resonant sound of Đọi Sơn drums reaches even greater distances.

Visiting Đọi Sơn Drum Making Craft Village allows travelers not only to witness the unique process of drum making but also to immerse themselves in a space rich with traditional cultural heritage. The thunderous sound of the drums welcomes visitors, affirming the vibrant vitality of this ancient craft village.

Đọi Sơn Drum Making Craft - Intangible cultural heritage to be preserved and promoted:
In 2022, Đọi Sơn Drum Making Craft was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. This acknowledgment rightly celebrates the unique cultural values that the craft village has diligently preserved across generations.

The conservation and promotion of this intangible cultural heritage are a shared responsibility of the community. Every individual needs to recognize the importance of heritage and collaborate to preserve and promote the precious traditional cultural values for future generations.

Đọi Sơn Drum Making Craft stands as an invaluable intangible cultural heritage, contributing to the rich tapestry of the nation's diverse cultural heritage. The thunderous sound of Đọi Sơn drums echoes like a resounding hymn to a longstanding traditional craft village, celebrating the beautiful cultural values to be cherished and upheld for future generations.

II. Nha Xá Silk Village: Weaving the threads of rural affection

Nestled peacefully along the poetic Hồng River, Nha Xá Silk Village in Mộc Nam commune, Duy Tiên district, Hà Nam province, has long been renowned for its soft, lustrous silk fabric imbued with the essence of Vietnamese culture. This village not only attracts tourists with its traditional beauty but also fills locals with pride due to its longstanding silk weaving craft preserved through generations.

Long-standing history and traditions:
The silk weaving craft in Nha Xá dates back to ancient times, traditionally believed to have originated during the Trần dynasty. According to local lore, during that era, villagers were taught the secrets of silk weaving by skilled artisans. Through diligence and creativity, the people of Nha Xá continuously improved their weaving techniques, creating exquisite and unique silk products.

Silk Weaving: The Beauty of Traditional Cultural Heritage

Silk weaving is an indispensable part of the cultural life of the people of Nha Xá. From young children to the elderly, everyone knows how to weave silk. This craft not only brings economic value but also serves as a source of pride, binding the community together.

The silk weaving process in Nha Xá is intricate, requiring meticulous skill and dexterity. From selecting the silk threads and dyeing them to weaving the fabric and completing the final product, each step is carried out with careful precision. Thanks to the dedication and craftsmanship of the artisans, the silk fabrics of Nha Xá always offer users a feeling of softness, luster, and exquisite elegance.

Nha Xá Today: A Hub of Traditional Craft Development

Today, Nha Xá silk village not only preserves the traditional silk weaving craft but also continuously innovates to meet market demands. The silk products from Nha Xá are increasingly diverse in designs, rich in styles, and enhanced in quality to meet the preferences of customers both domestically and internationally.

Nha Xá silk village has become an attractive destination for tourists from around the world. Visitors here not only observe the traditional silk weaving process but also experience wearing soft and elegant silk garments firsthand.

III. Quyết Thành Pottery Village: Where Skillful Hands Shape the Essence of Earth and Sky

Located in Quế town, Kim Bảng district, Hà Nam province, Quyết Thành pottery village carries a long-standing history, enduring the ups and downs alongside the nation. Here, the secrets of exquisite pottery making have been preserved through generations, creating unique ceramic products that bear the distinctive cultural imprint of Vietnam.

Formation and Development History

Pottery making in Quyết Thành dates back to the 16th century, closely associated with the legend of the craft's founding ancestor, Nguyễn Quyết Thành. Despite facing historical challenges that threatened its existence, the village has revived and experienced robust growth in recent years, thanks to the passion and determination of its skilled artisans.

Traditional Pottery Making Process

To create exquisite ceramic products, artisans in Quyết Thành pottery village go through meticulous stages, from selecting raw materials, kneading clay, shaping, firing, to finishing the products. Each step demands skill, precision, and the dedication of the craftsmen.

The main material used in Quyết Thành pottery is white clay extracted locally. After careful selection, the clay is kneaded with water to form a smooth, pliable dough. Subsequently, artisans use a potter's wheel to shape the clay into various forms and patterns depending on the type of product.

After shaping, the products are dried and fired in traditional kilns. These kilns are fueled with wood, reaching temperatures as high as 1300 degrees Celsius. The firing process requires careful attention to prevent cracking and ensure the integrity of the products.

Quyết Thành Ceramic Products

Quyết Thành ceramic products are renowned for their durability, glossy enamel colors, and intricate patterns. The pottery village produces a variety of items such as wine jars, tea pots, vases, flower pots, and ceramic statues, catering to both functional and decorative needs of consumers.

Quyết Thành ceramics are not only popular domestically but also exported to many countries worldwide, including South Korea, Japan, and the United States, contributing to the promotion of Vietnamese culture to international friends.

IV. Cheu Village - Preserving the Flavors of Homeland with "Banh Da Nem"

Cheu Village, located in Nguyen Ly commune, Ly Nhan district, Ha Nam province, has long been renowned for its signature dish, "banh da nem," which encapsulates the rich flavors of the homeland. With over 700 years of history, the Cheu Village craft of making "banh da nem" continues to uphold traditional secrets, producing aromatic, crispy, and delicious cakes that captivate diners across the country.

The Secret Behind the Success of Cheu Village's Banh Da Nem:

Natural and Safe Ingredients: Cheu Village's Banh Da Nem is made from 100% natural ingredients, without the use of harmful chemicals. Khang Dan fragrant rice is selected as the main ingredient, ensuring elasticity and smooth whiteness for the cakes. Salt is carefully proportioned to enhance flavor and improve preservation.
Traditional Production Process: Banh Da Nem from Cheu Village is handmade according to traditional methods, requiring meticulous craftsmanship. The rice is cleaned, soaked, ground into a smooth paste, and layered into thin cakes. These cakes are then sun-dried naturally to achieve the desired crispness.
Distinctive Flavor: Cheu Village's Banh Da Nem boasts a distinctive, delicious, and crispy flavor profile. When fried, the cakes turn golden and crispy, blending with the rich savory taste of the filling and the refreshing flavors of fresh herbs, creating an irresistibly enticing dish.

Development of the Craft Village: Today, Cheu Village's Banh Da Nem is available throughout Vietnam and is exported to many countries worldwide, including the USA, Russia, and Japan. It is highly favored and praised by Vietnamese communities abroad.

To meet the increasing market demand, residents of Cheu Village continuously improve their production techniques while emphasizing food safety and hygiene. As a result, Cheu Village's Banh Da Nem consistently maintains the highest quality standards, solidifying its position in the market.

V. Ngoc Dong Bamboo and Rattan Craft Village: Where Skillful Hands Create Exquisite Products

Nestled amidst peaceful hamlets in Ngoc Dong commune, Duy Tien district, Ha Nam province, the Ngoc Dong bamboo and rattan craft village has long been a source of pride for local residents. This village preserves ancient traditions in crafting exquisite bamboo and rattan products, bearing the distinct cultural imprint of Vietnam.

History and Tradition:

The art of bamboo and rattan weaving in Ngoc Dong dates back to ancient times, traditionally believed to have originated during the Ly dynasty. Despite the historical ups and downs, the local people have preserved and enhanced the traditional craft of their ancestors, transforming bamboo and rattan into useful and beautiful products.

Meticulous Production Process:

Creating a complete bamboo and rattan product in Ngoc Dong involves several meticulous steps. From selecting materials and processing bamboo and rattan to shaping, weaving, and finishing the product, each stage demands skill, carefulness, and dedication from the craftsmen.

Carefully selected bamboo and rattan are meticulously split into thin strips, sun-dried, and treated to prevent pests. Craftsmen then shape the materials according to pre-defined designs by bending and molding them. Subsequently, they painstakingly weave these strips together to form the final product. Finally, the product is dried, polished, and perfected.

Diverse and Exquisite Products:

Ngoc Dong bamboo and rattan craft village produces a wide range of items such as baskets, flower vases, furniture, lanterns, hats, and more. Each product bears the distinctive cultural imprint of Vietnam, showcasing the creativity and essence of the artisans.

Development of the Craft Village:

Today, Ngoc Dong bamboo and rattan craft village has experienced significant development, exporting its products to numerous countries worldwide, including Japan, South Korea, and the USA. The craft village contributes to local employment and promotes socio-economic development in the region.

If you have the opportunity to visit, tourists can experience firsthand the craftsmanship of the local artisans and participate in creating some products. Tiến Lộc Palace Hotel wishes you a pleasant and memorable experience.