Craft village

Traditional handicraft villages have started to resume operation after more than two months of suspension due to the fourth coronavirus outbreak in late April that forced the capital city to follow strict social distancing measures. Quang Phu Cau Village, a centre of incense making in Hanoi's suburban district of Ung Hoa has now also resumed the production of the worshipping goods. The village has been a great source of incense supply for the northern region for many decades, and colourful photos of the village have become iconic around the world. But villagers are now struggling to preserve the more than 100 year craft, which they consider of unique cultural character. Before the pandemic, the village would be awash with hundreds of brightly coloured incense-stick bunches standing on the roadsides in the sun for drying. They would flash under the sunlight in amazing blazes of red, pink and brown. Now such images have been "disappearing" due to a steep decline in production. … [Read more...] about Incense village struggles to reignite post-pandemic

Quang Phu Cau village in Ung Hoa district, 35 kilometres from downtown of Hanoi, is famous for its century-old craft of making incense. Everywhere in Cau Bau, Phu Luong Thuong, and Dao Tu hamlets in the village, the streets have blazed pink and red of incense sticks. Incense-making units in Quang Phu Cau resume their operation after nearly two months of business disruption due to social distancing. (Photo: VNA) According to local elders, the craft of making incense began in Quang Phu Cau around 100 years ago. It was first practiced in Phu Luong Thuong hamlet, before being expanded to the remaining hamlets in the commune, including Xa Cau, Quang Nguyem, Phu Luong Ha, Cau Bau and Dao Tu. (Photo: VNA) Everywhere in Cau Bau, Phu Luong Thuong, and Dao Tu hamlets in the village, the streets have blazed pink and red of incense sticks. (Photo: VNA) The making of incense sticks include many steps, including chopping bamboo, dipping … [Read more...] about Incense-making Quang Phu Cau village

The village’s products are not only consumed in Vietnam but also in India, China, Malaysia, and other countries. Quang Phu Cau Village, a century-old village of incense making in Hanoi's suburban district of Ung Hoa, has resumed its business after nearly two months of social distancing. The business disruption was due to the fourth coronavirus outbreak in late April that forced the capital city to apply strict social distancing measures. Everywhere in Cau Bau, Phu Luong Thuong, and Dao Tu hamlets in Quang Phu Cau Village, the streets are filled with bunches of blazing red and pink incense sticks again. “Since we had to close our workshop, the workers' daily income sharply decreased. Moreover, a dramatic drop in incense price also caused us serious hardship," Ly Thi En, an owner of an incense production facility in Cau Bau Ward of Quang Phu Cau Commune, told The Hanoi Times . After two months of hiatus due to social distancing, incense craftsmen now … [Read more...] about Busy incense village after social distancing

HÀ NỘI — To showcase artwork by contemporary Vietnamese sculptors, the Vincom Centre for Contemporary Art (VCCA) is collaborating with the Lương Art Space to host an exhibition. ‘Biến Chuyển’, which translates as 'Transforming', runs until January 2, 2022 and showcases diverse and significant contemporary artworks. The exhibition introduces to the public 35 works from nine famous Vietnamese sculptors: Đào Châu Hải, Lê Thị Hiền, Khổng Đỗ Tuyền, Lê Lạng Lương, Lương Văn Việt, Trần An, Thái Nhật Minh, Lương Trịnh and Đào Tân. The idea originates from Ninh Vân in Ninh Bình Province, where there is a long-standing traditional stone craft village. Artists used pure stone material to create their pieces, colours and shapes according to their different styles and personalities. Some have broken with tradition to express contemporary ideas that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. Unique stone sculptures at the exhibition ‘Biến Chuyển’ (Transforming). — Photo courtesy … [Read more...] about Vincom hosts stone sculpture exhibit showcasing contemporary local artists

Trade surplus expected to soar sharply in the last months of the year The trade surplus is expected to soar sharply in the last months of the year The General Department of Customs has just released its report on Vietnam's imports and exports in the second half of September. Accordingly, the total import-export value reached $29.07 billion, up 17.9 per cent (equalling $4.42 billion) over the first half of the month. This outcome has boosted the total import-export turnover in the first nine months of 2021 to $483.82 billion (up 24.6 per cent on-year, equivalent to $95.39 billion). In the second half of September, trade surplus was $1.87 billion, contributing to reducing the trade deficit to $2.55 billion in the first nine months. Of this, total import-export turnover of the foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) was $335.85 billion, an increase of 28 per cent on-year (equalling $73.48 billion); total value of local firms was $147.97 billion, a rise of 17.4 per … [Read more...] about VIETNAM BUSINESS NEWS OCTOBER 19