VietNamNet Bridge - Located 30km from the northern port city of Hai Phong, Bao Ha village in Vinh Bao district is well-known for its carved wooden statues. This traditional craft has enabled the village to become a popular tourist destination.

In the 15th century, Nguyen Cong Hue who is considered the craft’s founder taught the villagers techniques to sculpt statues. Legend has it that the statue of Nguyen Cong Hue and another of King Linh Lang at the Bao Ha Village Temple are his masterpieces.

Succeeding their ancestors’ traditional craft, the villagers in Bao Ha have developed the craft and invested more to expand workshops and make a variety of products, meeting the increasing demand of customers.

At present, the village has about 180 households engaging in the sculpting of statues, with 20 large workshops that provide stable jobs for over 200 locals. Each year, the village’s craft contributes about 40 percent to the local’s revenue. On average, each workshop earns about 30 million dong/month, even 50 million dong during high season.

Bao Ha Village is well known for not only traditional statues, but also portraits which look the same as the characters, showing the talent, skill and creativity of the artisans.

The development of the statue carving craft has brought wealth to the local people and many who previously left the village to earn a living elsewhere are now returning home. The villagers are now joining forces to promote their village as an attractive tourist destination.

In 2007, the village was recognized as “The Traditional Village of Wood Sculpture and Lacquer” by Hai Phong City.

VNP/VOV/VNE