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| Mr. Than carefully painted his miniature boats |
The basket that accompanies fishermen at sea
Having spent almost his entire life riding the waves, Mr. Than considers the open sea his second home, a place where he and his fellow fishermen worked year-round to make a living. Since he was a young man from the coast, he has been closely connected with boats, fishing gear and, in particular, the distinctive bamboo basket traditionally used by fishermen in Phuong Loc fishing village.
“This basket is a craft handed down by our ancestors. Although it is made only of bamboo, the weaving technique and the unique waterproofing method developed by local fishermen make it an indispensable item on every fishing trip,” said Mr. Than.
The basket has a distinctive shape. Its rim is woven into a circle, and its body widens before gradually narrowing toward a squared-off base, creating a spacious, flat, and sturdy compartment. Fishermen use it to store fishing lines, clothes, food, drinks, and other small essentials needed for their trips to the sea. Its shape also helps the basket remain balanced and float on the water if it accidentally falls into the sea. A round and well-fitted lid is attached to the top with plastic cord, helping prevent water and waves from splashing inside. From its shape to its practical use, the basket embodies generations of experience accumulated by local fishermen.
In the past, there were many people knowing how to weave these baskets. In the coastal village, the craft was passed down from one generation to the next, from grandparents to their children and grandchildren. Adults would work while children sat nearby watching, gradually trying their hand at the craft until they learned how to do it themselves.
Later, many fishermen began using plastic containers on their boats, because they are lightweight, easy to buy and clean, and available in a variety of sizes. As a result, the craft of weaving bamboo basket has faced the risk of disappearing. Bamboo baskets are no longer the fishermen’s only choice, and fewer and fewer people in the village know how to make them. Today, in Phuong Loc, Mr. Than is the only person who still practices the craft. According to Mr. Nguyen Thi, a fisherman who has spent more than 50 years working at sea, as long as fishermen continue to understand the value and usefulness of the bamboo basket, it will still have a place in the life of the fishing village.
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| The sea is present in every product |
Carrying forward a love of the sea
To make a basket, the bamboo must be carefully selected, with mature and sturdy stalks preferred. The bamboo is then split, and shaved into thin strips. Mr. Than weaves the body of the basket, reinforces its corners and bottom, and applies a waterproofing treatment. He usually uses tar oil, dipterocarp resin oil, or TOA oil to help the basket withstand water and the marine environment.
“If the bamboo is carefully prepared and properly waterproofed, it can last a very long time. Some baskets remain strong and sturdy even after 20 to 30 years. If a part is damaged, I reinforce it and reapply the waterproofing layer, and it can be used again,” said Mr. Than. Regardless of size, each basket takes from 3 to 4 days to complete.
Today, a finished woven basket costs from 500 thousand to 1 million VND, depending on its size and complexity. Large miniature fishing boats range from 1 to 3 million VND each. Mr. Than makes dozens of products each year. Though the number is modest, the work provides him with some additional income, while also allowing him to preserve the values closely associated with the life of the fishing village.
“Our ancestors passed this craft down to us, so we continue doing it. In the future, if our children and grandchildren like it, they can carry it on; if not, that is fine too. But as long as I can still work, I will keep the craft alive,” said Mr. Than.
Perhaps in the fishing village, Mr. Than still considers himself merely an ‘odd-job craftsman’, making whatever customers ask him to make. Yet with the hands long accustomed to the waves, bamboo strips, and the voyages out to sea, he is quietly carrying on a traditional craft that has been closely connected with generations of fishermen, preserving the experience passed down by their ancestors through the years.