Introduction
The sounds of chisels touching wooden surfaces and the soulful silence of attentive artisans—that is the first impression you will have when visiting Kim Bong Carpentry Village.
Kim Bong Carpentry Village is a Hoi An craft village famous for its long-standing history and great expertise in carpentry. Since the 15th century, through hundreds of years, Kim Bong Carpentry Village has maintained the precious traditional and cultural features of Vietnam.
Day by day, the Kim Bong artisans keep their traditional career alive by dedicating their whole hearts to each piece of wood. From a small toy to a great sculpture of Guanyin, all of their creations carry effort and passion.
For those keen on Hoi An local craftsmanship and traditional culture, it’s a good idea to start at Kim Bong Carpentry Village. Therefore, Culture Pham Travel would like to give you a detailed introduction to this established craft village in Hoi An.
Kim Bong Village History
Since the late 15th century, Kim Bong Carpentry Village has gone through many ups and downs. And this traditional carpentry has still been preserved and passed down until nowadays, contributing a special feature to Vietnamese culture.
It is said that Kim Bong Village used to be called Kim Bong Chau. Its villagers came from different places in the northern and northern central areas, mainly Thanh Hoa and Nghe An.
Back then, this village had 4 families named Nguyen, Chuong, Phan, and Huynh, whose expertise was carpentry. Their carpentry handicrafts ranged from daily items and furniture to houses, temples, and bigger buildings.
Its location near a busy international trading port brought prosperity to Kim Bong Village, especially its carpentry. More importantly, due to the increasing need for boats from the local fishermen at that time, boatbuilding developed as well.
Their carpentry skills were so extraordinary that Kim Bong artisans carved their hallmarks into the considerable royal architecture of Hue and Hoi An. Kim Bong Village became the most thriving in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
However, when urbanization began in the 20th century and wood items were not as popular as before, Kim Bong Carpentry Village had to transform with time. Besides continuing their traditional handicrafts, they have adapted to the fast development of tourism.
Although this area is not as bustling as before, the Kim Bong woodworkers still go on with their career. Their expertise still makes remarkable contributions to the construction of houses, temples, and tombs in Hoi An and Hue. And especially, they once built a 20-ton ship.
Moreover, woodworkers in Kim Bong Carpentry Village have been commissioned to restore the ancient heritage by the City’s Committee.
The flexible adaptation to the city’s changes has helped Kim Bong Carpentry Village keep its tradition survived and contribute to the diversity of Vietnamese tourism.
Kim Bong Carpentry Village Location
Kim Bong Carpentry Village address: Nong Thon Street, Trung Ha Hamlet, Cam Kim Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Kim Bong Carpentry Village is located on Cam Kim Island, on the right bank of the Thu Bon River downstream, which flows through Hoi An City before pouring into the ocean. It is about 7 kilometers from Hoi An Ancient Town on the other bank.
Kim Bong Carpentry Village map:
How To Get To Kim Bong Carpentry Village?
Because Kim Bong Village is opposite Hoi An Ancient Town and has a convenient location, there are various transportation options for your visit. You can go by motorcycle, Grab, or taxi.
If you choose to get there by motorcycle, you should find Cam Kim Bridge and go straight over this 600-meter bridge. Then you turn left and go 3 kilometers more to reach Kim Bong Village.
Apart from that, if you want to have an intriguing experience, we recommend going by boat. A boat trip takes about 10 minutes. Firstly, you go from Hoi An Ancient Town’s boat dock to the south (along Bach Dang Street). Then you take a Hoi An – Cam Kim boat. After that, you walk for a short distance before seeing the Kim Bong Carpentry Village.
Also, if you want something more, try our Hoi An Cycling Tour – Cam Kim Bike Tour. On this healthy bike tour, you can discover not only Kim Bong Village but also the whole beautiful Cam Kim Island!
Kim Bong Village Opening Hours
Kim Bong Village is always open for visitors. You can come at any time of the week.
Kim Bong Carpentry Village Price
Kim Bong Carpentry Village entrance fee is free. You just need to pay for your personal costs, such as food, drinks, and souvenirs.
Best Time To Visit
You will spend most of your time visiting Kim Bong Village outdoors, so you should choose a sunny day. The dry season in Hoi An is from February to August. Yet usually, the most gentle weather occurs from April to June. So we recommend you choose a date in these months.
And especially on the 6th of the lunar first month each year, Kim Bong Village Hoi An has a big feast for their ancestor commemoration. So they hold various interesting activities imbued with local cultural features. If possible, you should come on this occasion.
Kim Bong Carpentry Village Highlights
Traditional Kim Bong Woodworking
Kim Bong Carpentry Village’s trade is divided into 3 main categories: wood architecture, shipbuilding, and usual carpentry.
From houses and family worship houses to ancient temples, most of the buildings in Hoi An have been made by the gifted hands of this village. Furthermore, Kim Bong artisans made great contributions to the distinguished architecture of Hue Citadel.
The king of the Nguyen Dynasty chose Kim Bong artisans, along with the artisans from Van Ha Village in Quang Nam, to construct his capital city.
For many centuries, their carpentry products have retained their distinctive features and techniques. The Kim Bong woodworkers always keep fire in their bellies and put all their soul into the smallest details.
Their rustic and typical sculptures are so soulful and imbued with a long-standing tradition that they capture every tourist’s heart.
The carvings from Kim Bong Village vividly reflect the ancient town of Hoi An. Through the patterns of dragons, phoenixes, and flowers, a town of cultural values shows up with power, energy, prosperity, and a long-lasting history.
Ancient Architecture Of Kim Bong Village
Besides the carvings, Kim Bong Carpentry Village itself is a highlight that tourists love to see.
There won’t be any elegant buildings, just rustic ones. In their own way, the buildings in Kim Bong Village stand tall, beautiful, and majestic. The beauty echoes in their time-honored longevity and proud traditions.
Coming here, tourists may be astonished to meet familiar buildings that are similar to those they see in Hoi An. It was Kim Bong craftsmen who designed and carved almost all the celebrated wood constructions in Hoi An.
Therefore, Kim Bong Carpentry Village attracts many domestic and foreign tourists annually. If you once admired the buildings in Hoi An Ancient Town and wondered who made them, you shouldn’t turn a blind eye to this village.
Convenient Location
As mentioned, Kim Bong Carpentry Village is easily accessible, which is a favorable feature for tourism. From Hoi An Ancient Town, it just takes about 10 minutes for tourists to come here. Without the tough transportation, visitors won’t feel hesitant to pay a visit.
Besides, with this easy location, raw materials for woodworking are easily imported, and Kim Bong wood products are not hard to export as well. So Kim Bong Village can bring its carvings to many other places nationwide and worldwide.
Thanks to the convenient location, the traditional trade of Kim Bong Carpentry Village still survives and thrives.
What To Do In Kim Bong Carpentry Village?
Visit 600-Year Kim Bong Carpentry Village
Thanks to the preservation efforts of many woodworkers’ generations, visitors can enjoy the intact atmosphere of a once-busy carpentry village.
Developed in the 15th century, Kim Bong Carpentry Village is known as the oldest Hoi An craft village. Through a period of far-reaching interaction with foreign cultures, Hoi An Kim Bong Woodworking has grasped and combined various woodworking styles.
Eventually, it created an original style, making Kim Bong outstanding in the world of woodworking.
After 600 years, Kim Bong has developed 3 distinctive categories divided into 2 areas in the village: art carpentry in the west and shipbuilding in the east.
You can visit the western area to see intricate artistic carvings, which are very popular with people in Hoi An and adjoining areas. Or you can come to the eastern area to enjoy the shipbuilding process.
Nowadays, although their glorious era is gone, Kim Bong woodworkers still keep their old lifestyle and adapt well to the new changes.
Apart from the traditional work, they have joined hands in restoring Hoi An’s heritage and building traditional houses around the country. Also, the village is open to tourists, which helps their artistic carpentry develop.
Going on a bike to discover this village is the best way to enjoy your visit to the fullest. Besides learning about the daily lives of local people, you can have a chance to experience bamboo and mat weaving and rice cake making.
Watch The Woodworking Of Kim Bong Artisans
A trip to Kim Bong Carpentry Village is a good chance to see what magic behind those splendid carvings.
The Vietnamese traditional craft of woodworking will appear authentically and vividly in front of your eyes. You can have a first-hand observation of the step-by-step production process of a wood piece.
Apparently, it requires not only the top materials and paints but also various steps to produce a thorough wood piece. So the Kim Bong craftsmen have to join hands: One makes the basic shape for a raw log, and another puts the soul into that lifeless object with sophisticated decorations.
A complete product needs to be not only useful but also eye-catching and elaborate.
You will be inspired when looking at the clever and meticulous artisans working tirelessly on their art. They are not easy with their work. But they put great effort into each piece to give it high quality and cultural values.
Admire The Beautiful Carvings
It’s the exquisite carvings that make the proud reputation of Kim Bong Carpentry Village. Each of them carries the whole hearts and passion of Kim Bong woodworkers.
There is a wide range of products in Kim Bong Village, such as peacocks, a quartet of Dragon-Unicorn-Turtle-Phoenix, gods, and many kinds of furniture. Also, Kim Bong artisans specialize in building pagodas, temples, communal houses, worship houses, and anything from wood.
Their works are so detailed that each carved pattern evokes the traditional and cultural features of Hoian and Vietnamese people. With meaningful images, complicated details, and shiny brown paint, they keep the Vietnamese soul in each wood piece. Those are the works of magic.
Kim Bong wood products are not widely marketed or advertised. Yet, thanks to its values, people still buy furniture and hire Kim Bong woodworkers to construct ancient houses.
Pick Up Affordable Carving Souvenirs
Bringing home one of the artworks is the best way to save your memories with Kim Bong Carpentry Village.
Kim Bong used to focus on shipbuilding and construction but now it is invested in artistic wood products. Various works are on sale, such as decorative statues, wood reliefs, couplets, and worship products. So there are many souvenir choices for you!
Moreover, Kim Bong Village price for products and souvenirs is very reasonable. Apart from Kim Bong souvenirs, there are many interesting things in Hoi An that have good value for your money. Take a look at the list of What To Buy In Hoi An!
Enjoy Hoi An Specialties
Because Kim Bong Carpentry Village is situated near Hoi An Ancient Town, we recommend you visit the village first and then treat yourself to Quang Nam specialties. You can find some restaurants along the way to the ancient town.
You have many choices from the long list of Hoi An specialties. You can enjoy famous dishes such as Quang noodles, pancakes, Cao Lau, chicken rice, Phuong bread, and stir-fried mussels.
Plus, if you just want some snacks, you can have sweet popiah, ice cream, or baked potato cakes. A whole space of simple but special Hoian cuisine is waiting for you!
If you want to enjoy Hoian cuisine with an experienced companion, you can book our Hoi An street food tour!
Attractions Near Kim Bong Village
Kim Bong Carpentry Village location is convenient and connects with many interesting spots. Yet, if you don’t want a well-worn attraction like Hoi An Ancient Town, we suggest some less popular but not less charming places for you!
Thanh Ha Pottery Village
Situated along Thu Bon River and about 4km away from Kim Bong Village, Thanh Ha Village is another worth-see destination.
You can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, watch the process of making pottery, and create a product yourself. Also, you can visit the unique earthenware park of Thanh Ha Village.
Hoi An Silk Village
Hoi An Silk Village is around 5,5km from Kim Bong Village. On your visit, you will see a combination of nature and colorful silk. Also, you can watch the full steps of production, from growing mulberry and feeding the silkworms to weaving silk.
These exquisite handmade silky products will impress you!
Tra Que Vegetable Village
Tra Que Vegetable Village is located in Cam Ha Commune, about 8,4km away from Kim Bong Village. It has fresh and favorable weather all year round, so it becomes a well-known village for good vegetables.
Coming to Tra Que Village, you can learn how to turn the soil, grow vegetables, and more. Although planting is not an easy job, it is a typical feature of the hard-working Vietnamese.
To have a meaningful day discovering Hoi An traditional villages and immerse yourself in local lives, join our Cam Kim Island discovery tour!
Conclusion
Walking around Hoi An Ancient Town, you may admire a wood artifact and wonder who made that beautiful piece. Remember almost every wood craft in Hoi An made by the talented hands of Kim Bong Carpentry Village.
If you want to see the source of ancient architecture in Hoi An, come to Kim Bong. Also, on your Hoi An visit, you may want to know Things To Do In Hoi An. Culture Pham Travel always hopes visitors have the best trip in Vietnam. Thanks for reading our article!