Phuc Sen blacksmiths keep fires burning

Nong Khanh Hong forges a knife blade

Located about 30km from Cao Bang City along National Highway 3 heading towards the Ta Lung National Border Gate, the commune is embraced and sheltered by majestic rocky mountains and primeval forests. It is home to the tiny Nung An ethnic minority with 420 households and some 2,000 residents.

Phuc Sen is also the largest “forging factory” in northern Vietnam. With 160 workshops in operation, its 10 villages are filled with the sounds of workers beating and hammering steel as they make unique and durable products famed through the ages.

“Blacksmithing is not simply a source of livelihood, but also a valuable traditional culture and great pride for the people in Pac Rang Village,” says Nong Khanh Hong, 54, one of the most skilled blacksmiths in Phuc Sen.

Unlike many other traditional craft villages and specifically blacksmiths, the stoves in Phuc Sen are always kept burning to turn agricultural tools such as plows, hoes, and spades into household utensils like knives and scissors.

Phuc Sen blacksmithing was impacted by the imports of knives and scissors from China and Thailand with beautiful designs and cheaper prices. However, the Nung An people never intended to give up their traditional profession and persisted in making modern models of knives and scissors of as high quality as the imports. The local blacksmithing has helped residents improve their lives, as reflected in the new houses built among the traditional stilt ones.

The newly-forged knives of Nong Khanh Hong’s family

Dam Thi Chien, Head of the Culture and Information Division of Quang Hoa District, says Phuc Sen products are sold throughout the country. What is more, Phuc Sen is located on the way to Ban Gioc waterfalls, a top tourist destination, which attracts international tourists to the village. Many buy Phuc Sen products as souvenirs. This is added incentive for local blacksmiths to constantly hone their skills.

“Whoever has used Phuc Sen’s knives once will remember them forever. Domestic consumers and international tourists all trust us and we have very good feedback on our products of this thousand-year-old forging village,” said Chien.