Warmth of forging fire in Bao Vinh

Life has undergone many changes, and agricultural production of the locals has been almost entirely mechanized. The sounds of anvils and hammers in the blacksmith village have become lighter and less frequent, as orders for knives, sickles, hoes, plows, and harrows,… have dwindled. However, with skillful hands and a passionate commitment to their ancestors' traditional craft, Bao Vinh's forging fire still burn warmly amidst the peaceful old town nestled beside the Dong Ba River. The joy was multiplied when, at the end of 2024, Bao Vinh blacksmithing craft was officially recognized as a traditional craft of Thua Thien Hue Province (now Hue City).

Through the lens of Hoang Phuoc, the photographer, Hue Today Weekly, the first edition of 2025, respectfully introduces to readers the space, as well as the hardworking and kind-hearted people of Bao Vinh blacksmithing craft.