According to a book named “Gia Dinh Thanh Thong Chi” written by Trinh Hoai Duc, lacquer industry in Binh Duong has been set up by some emigrants from the North and Central since the end of 17th century. In 1901, the French set up Thu Dau Mot Fine Art School, creating a breakthrough from transmitting a traditional trade to training trade regularly. The school trained a large volume of manpower for Binh Duong lacquer industry. Thanh Le lacquer workshop founded in 1943 has been considered as a large name, creating a trademark for Binh Duong lacquer industry.

It takes 3-6 months for artisans to manufacture a perfect lacquer product with about 25 various steps. Every step needs a different technique, requiring experience and cleverness and creation. Therefore, Binh Duong lacquer product often brings special beauties.

Through many generations, Binh Duong lacquer has always kept a traditional beauty. Nowadays, Binh Duong province’s lacquer businesses can manufacture lacquer products with a large scale and diversity.

Trademark for posterity

On Aug. 29, 2008, Binh Duong provincial Lacquer-Sculpture Association was set up to create a bridge for developing traditional lacquer industry. Till Dec. 5, 2008, the provincial People’s Committee issued a Decision No.3855/QD-UBND on recognizing Tuong Binh Hiep craft village as a traditional craft village in a bid to preserve and uphold local traditional lacquer industry.

At present, the birth of collective trademark of Binh Duong lacquer has created a new height for the local traditional industry. The collective trademark has contributed to spur production and business and improve competition for Binh Duong lacquer product.

Master Nguyen Van Quy, vice chairman of the provincial Lacquer-Sculpture Association, said “the collective trademark will create a protective structure as well as manage, exploit and develop Binh Duong lacquer collective trademark. In addition, preservation and promotion of Binh Duong lacquer industry will be paid attention”.

Reported by K.Vinh – Translated by A.C