In the village of Hanh Dong (Dai Thanh Commune, Dai Loc District, Quang Nam Province), locals fondly call 61-year-old craftsman Phan Van Chanh "the one-armed artist." Though he lost his right arm in a sugarcane press accident over 40 years ago, Chanh has defied the odds by creating one-of-a-kind bamboo root furniture.  

“I once considered ending my life, but thoughts of my family kept me going,” Chanh recalls with emotion.  

In 2012, Chanh stumbled upon several uprooted bamboo roots near his home after a storm. Their unique shapes inspired him to craft an unusual salon furniture set. Phan Van Chanh immediately drew up detailed plans and began collecting discarded bamboo roots. Though many ridiculed his idea, he spent two months patiently piecing together 37 rugged roots into a stunning furniture set, leaving everyone in awe.  

“The long sofa was made from 11 roots, the two medium chairs required 7 roots each, and the two smaller chairs used 8 roots. Even the table legs are crafted from bamboo roots,” Chanh explained. Instead of nails, he used bamboo pegs to join the pieces, ensuring the furniture is free from rust and termite damage.  

Initially, Chanh planned to make just one set for fun, but as word spread, more and more people came to place orders. Encouraged by the popularity of his work, Phan Van Chanh decided to dedicate himself to this craft full-time.  

Though his right arm is gone, Chanh remains unfazed. His only challenge is finding bamboo roots that are symmetrical. “Each piece of furniture requires four bamboo roots of similar size and shape. Sometimes, I have to dig up an entire bamboo grove just to find a few usable roots,” he shared.  

On average, it takes Chanh between 30 and 50 days to complete a furniture set. He typically crafts around eight sets per year, which sell for $1,600 to $3,200 depending on the size and complexity. Since bamboo is abundant in his village, the material cost is nearly zero, allowing Phan Van Chanh to earn over $12,000 annually. In 2020 alone, he sold ten sets, earning more than $20,000.  

Having created over 100 unique furniture sets, Chanh’s work recently earned him the title of Artisan from the Vietnam Handicraft Village Association.  

Despite his success, Chanh is concerned about finding a successor. "This craft requires passion and patience, which is difficult for young people these days," he lamented.  

Ha Nam