However, in hamlet 10, Na Sang commune, blacksmithing aMông the Mông people continues to be preserved thanks to dedicated artisans. The glowing forges in the highlands not only produce tools for daily labor and production but also help safeguard the community’s cultural identity.

For generations, blacksmithing has been closely tied to the lives of the Mông people. In the past, most villages had their own forges to make knives, hoes, and sickles for agricultural work and everyday use. These handcrafted products are not only durable but also reflect the skill and experience of the craftsmen.

In hamlet 10, Na Sang commune, Vàng Sáy Vừ is among the few who still maintain this traditional trade. Having devoted more than 40 years to blacksmithing, he works tirelessly by the blazing fire every day. From early morning, the steady sound of hammer striking iron blends with the rhythm of the bellows, creating a familiar soundtrack of traditional forging in the highlands. According to Vàng Sáy Vừ, producing a finished item involves multiple stages: selecting materials, heating the iron in a charcoal furnace until it glows red, hammering it into shape, and finally quenching it in water to increase hardness. Each step requires meticulousness, patience, and experience.

Vàng Sáy Vừ shared: “When I was younger, I could forge two to three knives a day. Now that I’m older, I can only make one. Blacksmithing is hard work, requiring long hours by intense heat and a great deal of effort. But this is a craft passed down from our ancestors, so I strive to keep it alive so it won’t disappear.”

Today, with the rise of mass-produced industrial goods, traditional blacksmithing in many villages is gradually shrinking. Many young people choose to work far from home or pursue more stable jobs, leading to a decline in the number of practitioners. Nevertheless, Vàng Sáy Vừ remains committed to preserving the craft. Despite challenges, Mông handmade iron products are still trusted by local people for their durability and practicality in agricultural work.

Many villagers and people from nearby areas come to his forge to order machetes, hoes, and other tools. Each product is priced between VND 150,000 and 300,000, depending on size and the labor involved. During peak farming seasons, his forge operates almost continuously to meet demand. For many locals, the forge is not only a place to produce tools but also an integral part of daily life and cultural tradition.

Nguyễn Võ Nam, Vice Chairman of the Na Sang commune People’s Committee, stated that to preserve and develop traditional crafts, the commune encourages individuals, cooperatives, and collaborative groups to showcase traditional handicrafts at exhibitions both within and outside the province. This helps promote products, turn handicrafts into marketable goods, generate income for residents, and support rural tourism development.

Na Sang commune is also strengthening communication efforts to encourage local people, especially the younger generation, to preserve and promote traditional crafts. The commune supports the establishment and expansion of cooperatives focused on traditional trades. In the future, it will continue promoting traditional handicrafts through mass media, organizing exhibitions, and encouraging artisans to pass down their skills to younger generations. At the same time, it aims to develop community-based tourism linked with preserving ethnic cultural identity, thereby creating livelihoods and improving living standards for local residents.