The bronze casting in Phu Loc Tay, Dien Khanh Town, Dien Khanh District, Khanh Hoa Province has revived...
A craftman with his bronze casting products. |
The bronze casting in Phu Loc Tay, Dien Khanh Town, Dien Khanh District, Khanh Hoa Province has revived again these days.
2 years ago, many foundries in Phu Loc Tay closed down and bronze casting gradually come into oblivion. The number of households working in foundries declined significantly, from 60 before 2000 to 5 or even less in the period 2004-2010. Many have taken other jobs, Nguyen Van Nhuong, the head of a Duc Phu Loc Collective, with 40 years' experience in bronze casting says.
The traditional bronze casting in Phu Loc Tay met difficulty due to the soaring price of bronze materials and fuel. Besides, bronze casting products were unmarketable.
Tran Minh Thuong, an owner of a bronze foundry says the price of bronze materials climbed up to VND140/kg plus a 30% increase in labor and fuel cost.
Some establishments cooperated with tourism businesses to introduce the traditional profession to tourists. However, no long-term agreements were reached with no additional income for casting workers from the activity.
Different from years ago, the image of Phu Loc Tay has changed with many bronze foundries opening up again. The bronze materials have decreased to VND90,000/kg, down 30%.
The casting bronze products are thus cheaper and more marketable. A set of worship items, including censers, a candlestick and a vase ranges between VND1.5 and VND3.2 million.
40 households have come back to bronze casting with 300 sets of worship items produced on average a month. Contracts on manufacturing bronze devices have been signed with businesses.
Bien Ngoc Tuyen, a craftsman, says with the application of new production methods, the product quality has much improved. Many other artists in Phu Loc Tay have also helped revive the traditional career community.
Many foundries in Phu Loc Tay are busy with manufacturing items for the New Year 2013. 1,000 sets of products are expected to be made under purchase orders made by businessmen in the provinces of Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, etc.
More support from the local authorities is required to promote the bronze casting products and expand the market.
N.T