Upholding the value of Tuong Binh Hiep lacquerware

Tuong Binh Hiep in Thu Dau Mot city’s Tuong Binh Hiep ward is one of the most famous traditional handicraft villages in Vietnam and is considered as the birthplace of lacquer art in Binh Duong province. The traditional beauty of Tuong Binh Hiep lacquerware, preserved across generations, lies in the meticulous craftsmanship, delicated elegance and graceful details of each piece. Notably, Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer products have been praised by experts for their ability to withstand the cold climate of Europe as they do not crack, peel, or deform.

A golden age

Through its development, during the peak of the lacquerware craft, families in Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village continuously expanded their production. The workforce within families was not enough to meet the demand for lacquerware, so they began to hire relatives, neighbors and local workers. The zenith of the lacquerware industry occurred between 1945 and 1975, a period when lacquer products became abundant, diverse with high artistic quality. These products were exported to European markets, bringing significant commercial value.

The golden age of Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village occurred during the 1980s and 1990s when over 90% of the local population was involved in the craft. In picture: A shop selling lacquer products on Ho Van Cong street, Tuong Binh Hiep ward, Thu Dau Mot city.

In the years following the country’s implementation of the “Đổi Mới” (renewal) process, Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village continued thriving. Through many generations, the establishments in the village have preserved the traditional beauty of lacquerware—characterized by its exquisite craftsmanship, subtle elegance and distinctly Asian charm. The village also has the capability to produce a diverse range of lacquer products, from artistic paintings to decorative items such as vases, jars, plates, bracelets, boxes…

A lacquer product from Dinh Hoa Lacquer Workshop

Le Ba Linh, Vice President of Binh Duong Lacquer and Sculpture Association shared that in the 1960s, lacquerware craft experienced significant growth, with "everyone making lacquerware, every household making lacquerware". At that time, Thu Dau Mot had entire streets dedicated to lacquer production in Phu Cuong, Chanh Nghia and Chanh Hiep. Notably, the lacquer villages of My Hao, Tan An, Tuong Binh Hiep were bustling, well-known by customers in and out of the province. The golden age of Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village occurred during the 1980s and 1990s when the village had over 400 households producing lacquerware, with more than 90% of the local population involved in the craft. The products sold quickly and the income of the villagers increased significantly.

Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village has made significant contributions to the economic, cultural and social life of Binh Duong province. As a result, it was recognized by Binh Duong provincial People's Committee as a traditional craft village through Decision No. 3855 in 2008. In 2016, the lacquer craft of Tuong Binh Hiep was officially included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. This recognition is a great honor, acknowledging the significant contributions of the lacquer industry. This event further affirms the status and brand of Binh Duong lacquerware in general and Tuong Binh Hiep lacquerware in particular, in the marketplace for handicrafts and fine art products.

Preserving and promoting values

In the past decade, Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village has faced numerous challenges. Currently, the village is home to around 30 businesses and households getting involved in lacquer production and trade, employing nearly 1,000 workers. These figures indicate that despite being recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village is still at risk of being faded into obscurity.

An artisan diligently working on a stage of the lacquer product production process

Mr. Linh shared that after nearly 40 years working with lacquerware, he has witnessed many ups and downs in the lacquer industry in Binh Duong. “Lacquer products are not essential goods. People only buy them for decoration, appreciation or to beautify their homes when their financial situation allows. In the current context, where the traditional lacquer craft faces many difficulties and challenges, just having orders to maintain the craft is something to be grateful for. I hope this traditional craft is preserved and developed, not only to generate income for the families and companies dedicated to it, but also to help preserve our cultural heritage, showcasing Binh Duong's unique lacquer industry, which stands apart from other places”, Mr. Linh said.

To preserve and promote the traditional values of Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village, in 2020, Binh Duong provincial People's Committee approved a project titled "Preserving and Developing Tuong Binh Hiep Lacquer Village Combined with Tourism in Thu Dau Mot city".The project was assigned to Thu Dau Mot city’s People's Committee for implementation. The project's goal is to develop a comprehensive plan for the village, including zoning and creating a centralized production area for lacquer enterprises to address environmental concerns. It also aims at establishing a communal product exhibition space for the village while simultaneously developing tours to introduce the village's products to both domestic and international visitors. Additionally, the project seeks to create favorable conditions for skilled artisans to pass on their craft and teach younger generations. To date, the project has completed the 1/500 master plan and will proceed with the next steps in the near future.

With the active involvement of local authorities at all levels, along with the collective effort of passionate artisans and craftsmen dedicated to preserving the local traditional craft, it is believed that Tuong Binh Hiep lacquer village will further maintain and develop sustainably. This will ensure that the unique cultural heritage of Binh Duong is preserved, promoted and further developed in the coming time.

Reported by Thoai Phuong-Thanh Truc-Translated by Kim Tin