Cao Bang, a province in the Northeast of Vietnam, is not only well-known for its magnificent natural landscape but also for its diverse cultural identities with many handicraft villages. Let’s find out the top 05 traditional handicrafts in Cao Bang with Handspan Travel Indochina!

Through this blog post, you will know detailed information on these crafts below.

Blacksmithing

Blacksmithing is one of the traditional handicrafts in Cao Bang that has existed for a long time. You can find this craft in Phuc Sen blacksmithing village, located on the National Highway 3 to the Ta Lung international border gate, about 30 kilometers from Cao Bang city’s center. This village is home to the Nung An ethnic minority group, with nearly half of the households doing blacksmithing. Coming here, you can have a glimpse into blacksmithing, exchange culture, and learn about the history, techniques, and stories related to this craft. 

Blacksmith in the Phuc Sen Blacksmithing village

Walking around the village, you can see the smithies and blacksmiths everywhere. The blacksmiths rely on traditional methods that use hand-operated tools and simple equipment. To make a complete product, the blacksmiths have to heat the metal to high temperatures in a forge and then shape it. The forging products serve mainly for agricultural production, such as knives, hammers, axes, hoes, etc. 

Blacksmith in the Phuc Sen Blacksmithing village

Forging products in the Phuc Sen Blacksmithing village

Overall, blacksmithing is among the significant handicrafts in Cao Bang. Let’s travel to Cao Bang and gain insights into this craft.

Bamboo and rattan knitting 

Bamboo and rattan knitting are age-old handicrafts in Cao Bang that have been passed on for generations. This craft contributes to the region’s cultural heritage and provides essential items for daily life.

Bamboo and rattan knitting in Cao Bang

Unlike other handicrafts in Cao Bang, bamboo and rattan knitting are not concentrated in any area but are preserved in the daily life of people in all areas of Cao Bang. With available materials and the creation and craftsmanship, local people in Cao Bang have made many bamboo and rattan products to serve their life and decoration, such as baskets, mats, containers, hats, trays, room dividers, etc. Bamboo and rattan are lightweight and durable, making them ideal to create a wide range of items. After being chopped, bamboo and rattans are divided and split into spokes with different sizes. Then the local artisans will knit them into different types of products. You can find these products at Cao Bang fairs and markets. 

Incense making

Incense making is also among the essential traditional handicrafts in Cao Bang. The incense symbolizes purification, offering, and a means to connect with the divine. Incense is an integral part of ceremonies, festivals, and rituals in Cao Bang's communities. 

Phia Thap incense-making

Making incense in Cao Bang

Making incense in Cao Bang

This craft concentrates most in two villages of Cao Bang: Phia Thap incense village in Phuc Sen Commune, Quang Hoa District, and Na Keo incense village in Truong Ha Commune, Ha Quang District. Coming to these two villages, you can feel the gentle aroma of herbs, see the production process, and experience making incense sticks by hand.

The local artisans craft incense using a combination of natural ingredients. They will carefully select the fragrant woods, herbs, and resins to create the desired scents. Artisans in Cao Bang possess the expertise to create incense sticks that burn evenly and emit pleasing fragrances. By joining incense making workshops, you will have a chance to learn about the ingredients, techniques, and symbolism behind the craft. You can exchange culture and have a deeper understanding of the local customs and beliefs also. Let’s visit Phia Thap and Na Keo incense villages and learn about this craft!

Brocade weaving, embroidery, and beeswax printing

Among the traditional handicrafts in Cao Bang, brocade weaving, embroidery, and beeswax are extremely unique and outstanding. These crafts showcase the locals’ artistic skills and contribute to preserving Cao Bang’s rich cultural diversity. Let’s have some insights into each craft!

Brocade weaving

Brocade weaving is popular among the Tay and Nung ethnic minority groups in Cao Bang. The local Tay and Nung people use the weaving method to create brocade products. The brocade weaving process involves skillful manipulation of threads on a traditional loom, with many stages: spinning, framing, creating patterns, and weaving. They use indigo-dyed cotton yarn and dyed silk for weaving. The patterns on the brocade products have a unique meaning but are familiar with local people’s daily life, such as flowers, birds, animals, etc. You can visit the Lung Noi Village in Ngoc Dao Commune, Ha Quang District in Cao Bang to explore this amazing craft.

Brocade weaving in Cao Bang

Brocade weaving in Cao Bang

Embroidery and beeswax printing (batik)

Embroidery and beeswax printing, which is also known as batik art, is the traditional craft of the Dao Tien people in Cao Bang. You can find this craft in the Na Chan Village, Hoa Tham Commune, Nguyen Binh District of Cao Bang Province. Batik art uses beeswax to draw on the fabric before the fabric is boiled, the beeswax is melted, and vibrant and sophisticated patterns are revealed. 

Embroidery in Cao Bang

Indigo dyeing in Cao Bang

Silver carving

Silver carving is also among the traditional handicrafts in Cao Bang. This craft requires skill, meticulousness, and experience passed down through generations. There are many stages to having a carved silver product, from preparing tools to silver carving, including furnaces, crucibles, molds, hammers, iron pliers, etc. Silver products are diverse and rich in design, from bracelets, necklaces, and rings, to pins, chains, etc. Each type of jewelry has different shapes and textures. 

Silver carving in Cao Bang

Silver carving in Cao Bang

Silver and silver carving products are extremely meaningful for the Red Dao people in Cao Bang. In their mind, silver is not only jewelry but also represents wealth, luck, and fortune. If you want to see the meticulous process to finish silver carving products, you can drop by the Lung Chang Village, Vu Minh Commune, Nguyen Binh District in Cao Bang Province. From rough scraps of silver, highland artisans have skillfully shaped and carved many delicate patterns showing the national cultural identity. 

Silver carving in Cao Bang

In conclusion, you have just known about the top 05 amazing traditional handicrafts in Cao Bang. For a complete experience in this stunning destination, please do not hesitate to contact our team. Besides, you can refer to our blog post here: Cao Bang Travel Guide: Everything you should know before traveling to Cao Bang.