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Tourist spots in Hoi An boast diverse cultural facets such as Thanh Ha pottery village, Kim Bong carpentry, and the tradition of crafting lion heads, which epitomize the rich cultural heritage of this serene land. However, amidst societal changes and progress, where does the art of crafting lion heads stand in Hoi An today?
Hoi An: A Haven for Lion Enthusiasts
Exploring Hoi An during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the bustling streets brim with vibrant hues. Winding through alleyways, you'll stumble upon Mr. Nguyen Hung's residence (Cẩm Hà Ward), a stalwart in this craft for 23 years. According to Mr. Hung, the art of crafting lion heads in Hoi An dates back many decades, flourishing in the early 20th century. Each household's dedication to lion crafting has solidified its reputation, swiftly becoming a hallmark of Hoi An's unique cultural identity.
Since then, Hoi An has been recognized as the birthplace of the famous lion dance. It can be said that Hoi An's tourist attractions not only allure visitors with ancient houses, weathered walls, and local delicacies but also captivate them with longstanding traditional craft villages, including lion dance making – a captivating aspect that draws many tourists.
Hoi An tourism is not only renowned for lanterns but also for lion head crafting, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Lion head products are not only supplied to the domestic market but also distributed nationwide. Young entrepreneurs or distributors of these items from various provinces and cities often come here to purchase or admire freshly made lion heads. Particularly, lion enthusiasts always regard Hoi An as a milestone for the perfect beauty of this craft.
To complete a lion head, it takes about 3 to 5 days due to the intricate process involved, from selecting mold materials, creating molds, pasting paper, drying, to carefully choosing patterns, which is no simple task. Through these chosen patterns, the charisma of the lion head will be clearly manifested through its eyes, distinguishing between fierce, powerful lions and gentle ones.
Driven by passion for the craft, Mr. Hung's workshop has become a special tourist destination in Hoi An for many. On average, his workshop produces around 3000 lion heads per year, mainly catering to gaming distributors and lion enthusiasts from all over. Deep within, there is still someone holding the soul of traditional lion making amidst the vibrant dance performances of lion troupes.
Surely, Mr. Hung must be exhilarated knowing he has infused life into the lions parading through the alleys and lanes of Hoi An's ancient town, as well as along the Central Coast during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It can be affirmed that lions have become a symbol of the traditional culture of Hoi An's ancient town.
The lions of Hoi An have been prevalent for centuries, flourishing thanks to the dedicated individuals of old. Over time, with passion, fervor, and creative minds, lion craftsmen have crafted unique beauty for Hoi An's lions, unparalleled in their vibrant colors, exquisite patterns, and delicate horn bends.
A Dismal Aspect of Hoi An Tourism
Over nearly two centuries, lion crafting has not only brought significant value to Hoi An but also imparted unique cultural and traditional traits to Vietnam. However, in recent years, due to various reasons, lion crafting has failed to retain its traditional beauty, compounded by the declining interest in lion festivities in Hoi An.
Nowadays, professional lion craftsmen are scarce in Hoi An, with only 2 shops left, run by Mr. Hung and Mr. Dung. 'In terms of genuine lion crafting, the tourist destination of Hoi An now has very few lion craftsmen left. Most of the artisans have either retired or quit due to their own reasons,' said Mr. Tran Dinh Chau, Deputy Director of Hoi An's Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
After 24 years of passion and dedication to lion crafting, what troubles Mr. Hung the most is how to preserve and promote the craft of making lions and dragons, a pride of the people of Hoi An.
With a determination to uphold the craft, Mr. Hung has overcome various challenges to establish a renowned brand for this ancient town. Hoi An holds certain charms that draw people in, and Mr. Hung's lion production facility contributes to portraying Hoi An as a beautiful tourist destination from every angle in the eyes of visitors from all corners of the globe.
Dong Loi Shop – the oldest shopping venue for lions in the ancient town shares: 'In the past, Hoi An lions were diverse in designs, colors, and quantity, but in recent years, they've become scarce. People dedicated to the craft have gradually diminished.' Perhaps, due to modern lifestyles and lucrative jobs, they have sacrificed their passion for this craft.
According to artisan Bui Quy Phong, Hoi An is experiencing a state of 'lion chaos,' meaning that lion festivities now focus more on profit rather than entertainment or cultural symbolism. During the Mid-Autumn Festival or other celebrations, lion troupes flood the streets for impromptu performances without adhering to any choreography. As a result, the iconic cultural lions of Hoi An, which once epitomized its cultural heritage, are disappearing.
Now, Hoi An's lions are grappling with the challenge of preserving their unique values, a concern shared by lion craftsmen who are gradually losing successors. Given this situation, Hoi An should intervene to restore the cultural value of lion crafting and chart new paths for the future to safeguard this traditional cultural heritage.
Visiting the traditional lion villages at the tourist destination of Hoi An allows travelers to reminisce about their childhood, offering a truly captivating experience.
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