Hue Citadel is one of the highlights of tourists’ programs when traveling to Vietnam. Visiting in Hue Imperial, you might be impressed by some bronze royal artworks such as Nine Urns or Nine Canons. Have you wondered where these masterpieces were made? Let’s follow Slow Travel Hue to find out the answer for this question by a day trip from Hue to Phường Đúc village.
Phường Đúc – a hundred-year-old bronze casting village in Hue
From the 17th century, Nguyễn Lord gathered all excellent artisans from all over the country to establish the bronze casting department. The artisans settled down in Thuy Xuan village, 3 km to the southwest from the Citadel. People nowadays call this place with a common name Phường Đúc village due to its function. In Vietnamese, “phường” means an area and “Đúc” means casting. Until now, bronze casting traditional craft last to 15 generations and are famous around Vietnam. After having taken over the reign from Tây Sơn, Nguyễn Dynasty collected the weapons of the loser. They having masterpieces cast in Phường Đúc villages such as Nine Urns or Nine Canons to show off their power. It is a perfect connection with a day trip from Hue to visit the Citadel and enjoyed the gorgeous artworks. Then, follow your guide to discover the traditional bronze casting handicraft.
Let’s call by a traditional bronze casting workshop on a day trip from Hue
For years ago, Phường Đúc village was famous for casting giant statues or bells for pagodas, temple. Cycling through Bùi Thị Xuân Street, tourists can easily catch an insight into many stores displaying beautiful bronze worship items. Hue is a cultural and religious center; therefore worship items are essential things for the ancestor altar of every Hue family. Through up and down, this handicraft still maintains and develops. There are about 60 households doing the bronze craft nowadays. This job is hard, needs the learning and patience of the artisan. It includes some main steps: making the clay frame, pouring the bronze liquid, cooling the products. Every step needs calculation and carefulness. Thanks to the passion, artisans always produce wonderful artworks and develop the traditional craft. It is a great idea to get a small but special bronze souvenir by a day trip from Hue.
If it sounds interesting to you, please do not hesitate to get information on our website Slow Travel Hue. Let’s join in Thủy Biều flavourful wandering tour as a day trip from Hue to discover the bronze casting local handicraft. It is a fun and interesting part of your journey to Vietnam.
