Phung Chau Commune in Chuong My District, Hanoi is well-known for the traditional craft of stone sculpturing. The commune has now over 30 households engaging in the craft and 10 large workshops that provide jobs for more than 100 locals and 200 employees from neighbouring provinces.
Stone sculpturing has existed for a long time in Phung Chau Commune, but it began disappearing in the 1990s. Thanks to artisan Nguyen Van Cung, 80 years old, and other artisans in the commune who have made joint efforts to restore the craft and bequeath their passion and secrets of sculpting stone to the younger generation, the craft has been revived.
Phung Chau stone sculptures are now one of the favourite ones in the market because they are made skillfully with delicate patterns and designs. Besides traditional products, the villagers now make diverse products in different styles and sizes, such as statues for outside and inside decoration like lions, horses, elephants, turtles, fish fairies, herdsmen, relief and parallel sentences and statues of the Goddess of Mercy, Arhat and the Earth God for worshipping. Most stone sculptures in Phung Chau are produced to order in the service of projects on restoring and upgrading national historical and cultural relics. Therefore, the workshops in the commune are busy with orders all year around. To meet the increasing demand of customers, the locals expand their production scale and establish many forms of trades and services to support the craft. The craft not only provides stable jobs for local labourers but also others from neighbouring provinces with an average income of 2-4 million dong/month, helping improve the locals’ living standards.
Phung Chau stone sculptures are now one of the favourite ones in the market because they are made skillfully with delicate patterns and designs. Besides traditional products, the villagers now make diverse products in different styles and sizes, such as statues for outside and inside decoration like lions, horses, elephants, turtles, fish fairies, herdsmen, relief and parallel sentences and statues of the Goddess of Mercy, Arhat and the Earth God for worshipping. Most stone sculptures in Phung Chau are produced to order in the service of projects on restoring and upgrading national historical and cultural relics. Therefore, the workshops in the commune are busy with orders all year around. To meet the increasing demand of customers, the locals expand their production scale and establish many forms of trades and services to support the craft. The craft not only provides stable jobs for local labourers but also others from neighbouring provinces with an average income of 2-4 million dong/month, helping improve the locals’ living standards.
 The craft of stone sculpturing provides jobs for many people in Phung Chau.  Sculptors in Phung Chau make statues in different styles and sizes.  Stone sculpturing requires patience and skillfulness from sculptors.  The “Vietnam-Laos Friendship” sculpture camp is held in Phung Chau.  Sculptors in Phung Chau are famous for technique on sculpturing statues.  Skillful hands of sculptors in Phung Chau create many unique products.  Arhat statue from Phung Chau looks soulful.  The statue is very delicate and lively. |
According to Nguyen Van Truong, the youngest son of Artisan Nguyen Van Cung and Director of Truong Nguyet Stone Sculpturing Company, his company made stone sculptures for many large projects, such as the Commemorative House for President Ho Chi Minh in Pac Po, Cao Bang Province and made 19 works on the Vietnam-Laos friendship according to the samples made by both Vietnamese and Lao sculptors.
In 2012, the products made by Long Chau Mieu villagers in Phung Chau were displayed at the international sculpture camp held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and attracted much attention from viewers.
With great love and skillful hands, the artisans in Phung Chau have helped restore and develop their traditional craft and gradually have affirmed the trademark of the product in the market.
Story: Vinh Hung - Photo: Trinh Van Bo
