Tủa Chùa district is predominantly inhabited by Mông people, making up more than 70% of the population, with many unique crafts. Among these, blacksmithing is one of the traditional trades closely linked to the labor and production life of the people on the fields, a cultural trait of the Mông ethnic group. Despite many changes over time, this trade has been preserved and developed by the Mông as a cultural heritage passed down through generations.

The hand-forged products made by the Mông people are diverse, ranging from axes, hoes, and sickles. Among these, the most commonly used is the pointed knife, which is versatile and used for cooking, working in the fields, and other tasks.

Cứ A Khua, from the Dê Dàng hamlet in Sính Phình commune, shared: “I have known the blacksmithing trade since I was young. In every village of Mông people, there is usually a forge to meet the needs of the people. The difference in the way the Mông forge tools compared to other ethnic groups lies in the materials they use, such as car suspension springs, and the unique tempering process with water and banana tree trunks, which ensures that the products are durable, sturdy, and sharp.”

The products are made through many steps, requiring the blacksmith’s precision, strength, and experience. Owning a good knife or farming tool not only reflects the quality and skill of the craftsman but also signifies the endurance, diligence, and resourcefulness of the Mông men in their labor. Therefore, the Mông people highly value the handmade products created by their own hands.

Today, although it is easier and cheaper to buy farming tools, the traditional blacksmithing trade of the Mông is still preserved and developed because, for the Mông, it is not only about the tools but also an important part of their cultural heritage.

In Mông villages, forges are often active throughout the year. Dedicated craftsmen who have spent their lives with blacksmithing work to improve the quality, durability, and refinement of each product, thus helping to maintain the traditional trade while contributing to the family’s economic development.

Thào A Cháng, from Làng Sảng hamlet, Tả Sìn Thàng commune, shared: “In the past, blacksmithing farming tools was done during my free time, making only a few items per week to meet the needs of neighboring households. After 2023, when blacksmithing was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the products from Mông blacksmiths became well-known, sold better, and the forge in my family is always lit up. On average, I forge 10-15 farming tools per week, mainly knives sold at the Tả Sìn Thàng market. Customers include locals, tourists, and out-of-town buyers who send their orders through bus services. The price of each product depends on its length and intended use, ranging from VND 300,000 to 350,000, with a weekly income of around VND 2.5 million after expenses.”

As part of modern life, hand-forged products are now more widely recognized and have carved out their own brand. Along with this, the passionate craftsmen who live by the trade have contributed to preserving and developing blacksmithing, ensuring that the forges continue to burn brightly as a unique cultural product of the Mông people in modern life.