Bao Ha Sculpture Village is a village with a history of more than 500 years. This is considered the cradle of Vietnam’s statue sculpting profession. With its own unique features, Bao Ha wood carving village has become an interesting place in the tourism program to explore Hai Phong countryside.
The workers in Bao Ha have made many sculptural and carved products to serve domestic and export needs. Sculptures made by artisans of Bao Ha village have their own unique and prestigious artistic style, winning the hearts of many places. Coming here, we can witness with our own eyes the artisans who make famous products such as worshiping statues, diaphragms, couplets, letter books, letters, incense sticks…
Address: Dong Minh commune, Vinh Bao district, Hai Phong city
History of formation and development of Bao Ha Sculpture Village
Located 30 km from the port city of Hai Phong, Bao Ha village, Vinh Bao district is well known for its carved wooden statues.
The Legend of the Worker
In the 15th century, when the Ming Dynasty (China) colonized Vietnam (1407-1427), young people were sent to China to work in factories, build mausoleums, temples… including Nguyen Cong. Hue, a native of Bao Ha village. During more than 10 years of traveling abroad, Nguyen Cong Hue has learned a number of professions to earn a living, including sculpting and lacquerware. After returning home, Nguyen Cong Hue passed the profession to the villagers. When he died, the villagers of Bao Ha built a temple, carved a statue and honored him as the ancestor of the profession.
Feudal period
During the feudal period, Bao Ha’s sculptural art was always maintained and developed, popular throughout the East. The village has many good artisans who are respected by the court. They also made the throne for the king. Also from the profession of sculpting and sculpting, dry puppetry was also born and developed to this day.
Bao Ha wood carving village from 1945 to present
After 1945, Bao Ha still maintained and developed the profession. Currently, Bao Ha has nearly 1,000 households following the profession, including over 200 households working in sculpture with 20 production workshops. Products of the craft village are increasingly diversified and abundant, besides traditional products (Buddhist statues, holy statues, puppets…). In addition, there are many new products suitable for the times such as altar products (altars, couplets…), statues of all kinds, contemporary statues, lacquer paintings… Annually, craft villages contribute 40% value of local industrial production. Products are not only supplied to the domestic market but also exported to many Eastern European countries. In addition, the village has become a “rural” tour in the suburbs of Hai Phong
In 2007, the craft village was recognized by Hai Phong city as “Traditional lacquer and wood carving village”.
Bao Ha Village has not only traditional statues but also portraits like characters. They show the talent, skill and creativity of the craftsman. Bao Ha is famous for this traditional craft, but recently its fame has grown when it was introduced as a tourist destination. The development of statue making has brought wealth to the local people. Therefore, many people who previously left the village to earn a living elsewhere have now returned to their homeland. The villagers are now joining forces to promote their village as a tourist attraction.
Materials for sculpting
The main raw materials of handicraft products are wood and paint. The type of wood commonly used is jackfruit, oak, and jasmine wood. polish… Paint is mostly live. paint (the resin of gardenia), from live paint to paint used in processes.
Tools for sculpting
To create a product, artisans have to use dozens of tools such as: Tools to shape the product; tools to create products, including dozens of different chisels; construction smoothing tools and painting tools (painted steel, paint brush)
To create a product, it must go through steps: studying samples, choosing materials, shaping, stamping, simple and detailed chisels, sharpening, scraping, grinding paper armor, polishing, assembling armor and attaching details. , paint several times, paste gold. and decorated with silver…
Features of statues in Bao Ha
Products imbued with traditional cultural values are made from talented hands and the creativity of generations of craftsmen. The uniqueness of the statues comes from the solid, well-balanced shapes. The meticulous lines of the craftsman have created soulful statues. Therefore, the image of Bao Ha craft village has become a favorite product of domestic and foreign customers.
Activities at Bao Ha Sculpture Village
The main activity is to visit the workshop and learn how the artisans make the statues. Visitors will be amazed at the wood carving process and the craftsmanship of the statue makers. They are not only craftsmen but also artists.
The village has opened many workshops selling statues, fine art products, lacquer paintings to serve the tourist market. Therefore, visitors can also buy available products as souvenirs. Or you can order to get products according to your needs.
In addition, the village also organizes puppet shows using handmade wooden puppets in the village. Performances are held in the village’s large courtyard, where visitors sit, drink tea and eat baked sweet potatoes.
Admire the unique statues
Statue of Duc Linh Lang Dai Vuong.
Duc Linh Lang Dai Vuong – Crown Prince Hoang Chan was also a famous general of the Ly Dynasty. This statue was carved by Nguyen Cong Hue. The statue is worshiped at Bao Ha temple (also known as Ba Xa temple), in the sitting position on the throne, hands can stand up and sit down. This is a unique statue, more than 500 years old. The statue is 1.6 m high, the right size for Hoang Chan, is a combination of sculpture and puppetry. This statue is rare among existing statues in Vietnam.
Ancestor Statue
The ancestral statue is a combination of Buddha image, holy statue and portrait made by artist To Phu Luat. There are documents that say that this is a self-portrait of Nguyen Cong Hue at an advanced age. The statue is nearly one meter high, sitting on a pedestal, with a majestic appearance bearing the appearance of “Fairy descends to earth”, but simple and kind, almost like an old Vietnamese farmer. Bright eyes with “extraordinary intelligence”, the posture of a worker resting but very leisurely.
24 Hands Buddha Statue
The 24-armed Buddha statue by artist Dao Van Dam won a gold medal at the Leipzig International Fair, German Democratic Republic. To go to Bao Ha wood carving village, you can go by yourself or book a tour of Hai Phong City for more convenience.
Source: Collected internet.