About 30km southwest of Hanoi’s center, Phu Yen Village is unique for preserving and promoting the traditional house-building craft passed down by generations of our ancestors.
A handcrafted wooden house from Phu Yen traditional carpentry village
The unique craft of building ancient houses
According to Nguyen Chi Tai, an artisan with 55 years of experience in building ancient houses and Chairman of the Phu Yen Traditional Carpentry Village Council, this craft has been passed down from father to son, with his family maintaining it for at least 4-5 generations. To date, he has built around 1,000 houses, putting his heart and responsibility into every project, knowing that the houses will endure for generations. Moreover, these ancient houses are not only the result of labor but also hold spiritual significance, serving as a place where homeowners place their hopes and pray for luck and peace.
Wooden house models are often designed with either three rooms and two wings or five rooms and two wings, featuring a sturdy structure of columns and beams. A key highlight is their decoration, with carvings and patterns drawn from traditional culture, such as lotus flowers, seasonal motifs, dragon leaf designs, symmetrical patterns, and motifs inspired by music, chess, poetry, and painting. Each pattern carries its own meaning, reflecting the family’s wishes for peace, warmth, and health. A distinctive feature of ancient wooden houses is the wood itself. Wood types vary in quality and price according to the homeowner’s preferences, ranging from a few hundred to several billion VND. Currently, the market offers various types of wood for construction, including Dinh (Ironwood), Lim (Limwood), Mit (Jackfruit wood), and Xoan (Vietnamese mahogany). Today, Xoan wood is the most popular choice because of its durability and reasonable price.
“Each wooden house project tells its own story, with varying scales, construction timelines, and technical requirements. A three-room house can be completed within a few months, but a five-room house requires more wood and a longer construction period. For heritage projects such as communal houses, pagodas, or relic restorations, the amount of wood used can reach several hundred cubic meters,” Tai added.
The hallmark of wooden houses is that they require no nails or screws, relying instead on mortise-and-tenon joints for assembly. This demands that craftsmen possess strong skills, master carving techniques, coordinate proportions, and maintain harmony between structure and aesthetics. Moreover, the patterns and decorative motifs on each beam and column require months of chiseling and carving. The process calls for patience, care, and precision down to the last millimeter, as any mistake can ruin the pattern and waste precious wood. Consequently, only those with passion, diligence, and patience can sustain a long career in this craft. Additionally, craftsmen must also have a deep understanding of the nation’s history and culture.
Inheriting tradition
Currently, Phu Yen Village has nearly 400 households engaged in carpentry, representing almost 50% of all households, with about 600 direct workers. Around 180 households operate large and small production establishments. The village’s carpentry extends beyond building ancient houses to include constructing wooden houses, making cabinet frames, and carving patterns on traditional structures - tasks that demand meticulous skill and are increasingly valued in the market. With its long-standing tradition and continuous development, Phu Yen Village was officially recognized as a “Traditional Carpentry Village” by the Hanoi People’s Committee in 2016.
A bright spot in Phu Yen today is the growing presence of young workshop owners. After studying and working away from home, they return to start businesses, inheriting their ancestors’ skills, investing boldly in modern machinery, applying 3D design, and leveraging social networks to reach customers. As a result, the craft village is evolving visibly every day. Nguyen Huu Hieu (born 1993) is a typical example of this new generation. Starting from a small workshop, he gradually expanded production and brought his products to e-commerce platforms. After a few years, his workshop employs nearly 20 workers, generating annual revenue in the billions of VND.
In addition to Hieu, many young workshop owners, such as Nguyen Chi Dat and Nguyen Quang Vu, have also gained a strong reputation in building ancient wooden houses and producing high-end furniture. “Carpentry today cannot rely solely on manual skill. To succeed, one must update tastes and integrate technology and communication,” said Nguyen Chi Dat. The younger generation has given the craft village a significant boost over the past 5-7 years. They know how to blend tradition with innovation, allowing customers to view 3D designs, track the production process, and feel more confident when placing orders. As a result, Phu Yen carpentry is increasingly strengthening its position in the market.
However, the craft village also faces several challenges. Workshops are located in residential areas, and dust and noise from machinery affect local residents’ daily lives.
For green and sustainable development, Vice Chairman of Phu Nghia Commune People’s Committee Tran Van Son said that the locality plans to propose that Hanoi establish a cluster of concentrated craft villages. This would support production households, empower young entrepreneurs, connect markets, and promote digital transformation.
Today, Phu Yen not only preserves the traditional craft of its ancestors but also demonstrates strong adaptability to modern times. In the skilled hands and innovative thinking of the younger generation, carpentry is charting a sustainable path, allowing the spirit of local woodworking to continue spreading from the countryside to the city.
By Dinh Bao, Vietnam Business Forum
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This special section is supported by Hanoi Coordination Office of the New Rural Development Program |
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