Lao Xa village (about 25km from the center of Dong Van town, Ha Giang) is inhabited by the H'Mong ethnic group. This is home to the family of Mr. Mua Se Sinh, a famous silver engraving artist in the region.

At the age of 72, Mr. Sinh still diligently crafts silver jewelry every day. From a young age, the artist learned the craft from his father and grandfather. By the age of 16, he became a skilled silversmith in the region.

Mr. Sinh has been teaching the profession to his children and grandsons in the family over the past few years. Up to now, his family has had 5 successive generations specializing in making handmade silver products.

"My eyesight is getting worse so I can no longer work as hard as before, while silverware is being ordered more and more. Customers coming here are not only local people but also from neighboring areas or tourists. Fortunately, my children and grandchildren all pursue the profession, so I feel secure," the artisan said.

"Normally, families who work in silver carving keep their secrets very carefully and only teach them to their children. So, the people who come to my house to learn as apprentices are all close relatives," said Mr. Mua Chia So (left, Mr. Sinh's son).

Jewelry made from silver plays a very important role in the cultural and spiritual life of the H'Mong people in Ha Giang. In their beliefs, silver is a sacred material that can chase away evil spirits and harmful winds, and is also a soul and a custom to remember one's ancestors.

The manual silver making process still requires the support of a few simple machines. They buy raw materials at mountainous markets, mainly silver items that have been damaged for a long time.

They then melt the damaged silver items with a torch, mold, thin it and create the desired pattern.

Mua Tieu Bao (Mr. Sinh's grandson) became the 5th generation in the family to pursue silver engraving. Bao said that after finishing high school, he returned to work and help his father and grandfather. After 3 years of diligence, he has now become a craftsman and can make his own products. "In the village, most families do farming. Silver carving has therefore become a profession that brings a stable income, supporting my family for many generations. There is no reason why I don’t pursue it", Bao said.

Currently, Mr. Sinh's house, in addition to being a factory, has also become a tourist destination. Many people are surprised and amazed when they see exquisitely and beautifully silver products there.

Silver jewelry products in Lao Xa are not only delicate but also rich in types such as rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces... The patterns are mainly shaped like flowers, leaves, mountains and forests. Nowadays, to serve customers' needs, products can also be engraved with names or customized as desired.

According to H'Mong customs, silver jewelry is used during holidays and Tet or given to daughters as dowry. Therefore, the silver carving and engraving profession in Lao Xa has conditions to be preserved and developed. Depending on the family's conditions, a silver bracelet as a dowry will cost 15-20 million VND.

Thach Thao-Nguyen Hue