(BNP) – The traditional bronze casting village of Dai Bai, formerly known as Van Lang village or Buoi village, is located in Gia Binh district, Bac Ninh province. The village lies on a high strip of land along the banks of the Bai Giang rver. Since ancient times, it has been renowned for its traditional craft of bronze casting, producing exquisite and finely crafted handicraft products.
Products of Dai Bai craft village.
In the past, Dai Bai village mainly produced household items such as pots, basins, trays, and pans. However, over time, the village expanded its production and created a wider variety of products, including artistic bronze paintings depicting rural landscapes, “Mã đáo thành công” (Galloping Horses) artworks, and many other types of decorative pieces. The village also became well-known for crafting worship items for households, such as bronze urns, horizontal lacquered boards and parallel sentences, and bronze drums.
Since the bronze casting craft was restored and developed, the economic landscape of Đại Bái Village has undergone remarkable changes. Today, the village consists of five hamlets, each specializing in a particular type of product.
Currently, the village has more than 70 enterprises and nearly 700 households engaged in the craft, employing over 1,700 workers. Many families have achieved a stable and prosperous life thanks to their dedication to the village’s traditional bronze-casting profession. Dai Bai Craft Village is also home to many significant historical and cultural relics, such as the Tomb of Bronze Casting Ancestor Nguyen Cong Truyen, Van Lang communal house, Dien Loc communal house, and Dien Phuc Pagoda. The traditional Dai Bai village festival is held to honor the village’s time-honored bronze products, pay tribute to those devoted to preserving the craft, and celebrate the enduring cultural values of the homeland.
To preserve and further develop the craft village while meeting the increasingly sophisticated tastes of consumers, the bronze handicraft producers of Dai Bai have continuously improved their designs, enhanced their skills, and elevated product quality. Today, Dai Bai’s bronze products are no longer limited to smooth, polished finishes; artisans now inlay and engrave intricate, refined patterns and decorative motifs on product surfaces, making them more vivid and aesthetically appealing.
At the same time, market expansion has become a key focus. Dai Bai’s products are no longer confined within the village but have gained recognition among domestic and international customers through representative stores and online promotional platforms showcasing the village’s craftsmanship.
With the aspirations and determination of its people, the skillful hands, diligence, and creativity of Dai Bai’s bronze-casting artisans have been and continue to contribute to revitalizing and elevating the village’s traditional craft - helping it flourish and reach farther beyond the homeland.
