Breathing life into bamboo
Growing up in a family doing handicrafts in Cam Thanh commune, from a young age, Mr. Vo Tan Tan made many living items from bamboo, coconut and cork. His father, Mr. Vo Tan Muoi is a famous craftsman in Hoi An, so Vo Tan Tan soon inherited mastery skills, plus his passion for creativity, he produced many artistic products.
The Taboo Bamboo of Mr. Tan’s family is a workshop for bamboo souvenirs, handicrafts and household items. There are many interesting products handmade with bamboo: from snails, penguins, dragonflies, cute puppets to household items such as tables, chairs, desk phones, cups, straws, chopsticks, bamboo bowls…
Mr. Vo Tan Tan said that 20 years ago, most of the houses in village were bamboo houses with coconut leaves. The work of making bamboo and coconut takes place every day. Gradually, society developed, traditional products no longer have a place. Young people are not eager to follow the profession, the elderly still only make familiar items, simple design, so the product does not meet the needs of the market. Sometimes the craft village is almost forgotten.
With a love for bamboo, Mr. Tan tinkered with the characteristics of bamboo, gradually overcoming the disadvantages of products, especially the monotony of designs and models. He has created new product models that are highly applicable in modern life, compete with other handicrafts.
Mr. Tan added that in 2009, the number of tourists to Hoi An was increasing day by day. The city banned motorbikes, only allowing bicycles and pedestrians in the old town. Since then, Mr. Tan came up with the intention to make environmentally friendly products. And he thought of bamboo. Mr. Tan started making bamboo bicycle. These bicycles have followed tourists to European and American countries. Mr. Tan wishes to promote Vietnamese bamboo products to world friends.
Most recently, he successfully built an electric car made of bamboo. The product is both environmentally friendly and creates the impression of Hoi An and traditional bamboo village. The product marks his creativity and affirms Mr. Tan’s special love for bamboo.
Beside that, Mr. Tan also received many invitations from the owners of restaurants, cafes, resorts, hotels… using bamboo in interior and exterior design, decorative products and construction works.
Spreading the “green” lifestyle
Following the tourism trend preferring nature, products made from natural materials are always well received, so Mr. Tan has opened a new direction in handicraft production. From being a tradition handicraft family, Mr. Vo Tan Tan’s bamboo workshop has now become never-missed tourist destinations in Cam Thanh commune. Every day, many visitors come to experience the stages of making their own bamboo and coconut products.
“International tourists are very interested and passionate about making their own souvenirs. I just guided and introduced the benefits of the versatility and usefulness of Vietnamese bamboo. More specifically, these products can replace plastic materials, contributing to environmental protection… It also contributes to affirming the Cam Thanh eco-tourism brand” he added.
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