Hoi An captivates visitors not only with the ancient beauty of its old town but also with the unique charm of its long-standing traditional craft villages. Among them, Kim Bong Carpentry Village in Hoi An stands out as a precious gem, preserving and developing the essence of Vietnamese woodworking. Visiting Kim Bong, you will not only admire exquisite wooden artworks but also deeply feel the unique cultural and historical values of this centuries-old craft village. Join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” to discover the exciting things awaiting you at Kim Bong Carpentry Village, Hoi An.
1. Introducing Kim Bong Carpentry Village: The Quintessence of Hoi An Woodworking
Nestled peacefully on the banks of the poetic Thu Bon River, opposite the bustling ancient town, Kim Bong Carpentry Village, located in Cam Kim commune, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, appears as a separate world where time seems to slow down. With this special geographical location, Kim Bong Carpentry Village not only inherits a peaceful and tranquil space but also benefits from convenient waterway trade, contributing to its prosperous development in the past.
Kim Bong carpentry emerged and strongly developed around the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a period when Hoi An became a bustling international trading port under the Nguyen Lords. The development of the trading port led to a demand for urban construction and decoration, opening up great opportunities for the carpentry profession. From then on, Kim Bong Carpentry Village Hoi An gradually affirmed its position, becoming a famous woodworking center, supplying products throughout the region and exporting abroad.
Through historical ups and downs, Kim Bong Carpentry Village has maintained its passionate flame for the craft, preserving and promoting precious traditional values. Today, the village is not only a place producing high-quality wood products but also an attractive cultural tourist destination, attracting domestic and international visitors to visit, learn about traditional carpentry, and admire unique artistic masterpieces.
2. Journey to Kim Bong Carpentry Village: By Water and By Road
To reach Kim Bong Carpentry Village, visitors have many choices of transportation, depending on personal preferences and schedules. Located only about 3km from the center of Hoi An ancient town, traveling to the carpentry village is quite easy and convenient.
By Road:
If you want to be proactive about time and explore the scenery along the way, motorbikes or bicycles are ideal means of transport. From the center of Hoi An, you can follow Cua Dai road, then turn into Tran Hung Dao street, and continue to Hung Vuong street. From here, turn right onto Hai Muoi Tam Thang Ba street, cross Cam Kim bridge and turn right onto Kim Bong Tay street. Go straight for about 2km, then turn right at the first intersection, go another 1.2km and turn right at the first intersection. Finally, go another 200m, and you will arrive at Kim Bong Carpentry Village Hoi An on your right.
Map showing the road route to Kim Bong Carpentry Village in Hoi An
By River:
Another unique and interesting experience to reach Kim Bong Carpentry Village is to travel by river. At the Hoi An ancient town ferry wharf, you can easily buy boat tickets to Cam Kim. Sitting on a boat, gliding gently on the Thu Bon River, you will admire the poetic beauty of the ancient town from a completely different perspective. The scenery on both sides of the river with rows of green coconut trees and peaceful villages will bring you a feeling of relaxation and closeness to nature. After about 10 minutes by boat, you will arrive at Cam Kim wharf and just need to walk a short distance to reach Kim Bong Carpentry Village.
Boat trip experience to Kim Bong Carpentry Village on Thu Bon River
3. Exploring Kim Bong Carpentry Village: Experiencing Art and Culture
Stepping into Kim Bong Carpentry Village Hoi An, you will immediately be captivated by the space imbued with traditional craft village characteristics. The sound of chiseling and wood carving echoes everywhere, creating a distinctive, lively yet very familiar sound.
Traditional Woodworking Process:
Wandering around the village, you will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the elaborate and meticulous traditional woodworking process of artisans. From selecting wood, sawing wood, shaping to carving patterns, PU painting, each stage requires the skill, meticulousness, and dedication of the craftsman. You will be amazed by the talent of the artisans here, as they transform inanimate pieces of wood into vivid and sophisticated works of art.
Artisan in Kim Bong Carpentry Village crafting a wooden product
Unique Kim Bong Wood Products:
Products of Kim Bong Carpentry Village are very diverse and phong phú, from household items such as tables, chairs, beds, cabinets, kitchen shelves, to exquisite fine art pieces such as Buddha statues, Quan Cong statues, Di Lac statues, wooden paintings, reliefs, and worship items. Each product is imbued with traditional cultural features, showing the creativity and talent of the artisans. In particular, Kim Bong wood products are also carved with familiar images close to Vietnamese people’s lives such as the Covered Bridge, storks, farmers…
Exquisite wooden art products at Kim Bong Carpentry Village
Interacting with Artisans:
When you come to Kim Bong Carpentry Village, don’t hesitate to interact and chat with the artisans. They are very open, friendly, and willing to share about the carpentry profession, about life stories, and work stories. Through these stories, you will understand more about the history of formation and development of the craft village, about the difficulties and challenges that artisans face, as well as their love and passion for traditional carpentry.
Visiting the Ancestral Temple:
A must-visit destination when coming to Kim Bong Carpentry Village is the ancestral temple. This is a place to worship the ancestors of the carpentry profession, and also a place to preserve many precious wooden artworks, dating back hundreds of years. The architecture of the ancestral temple is imbued with ancient and solemn features, with sophisticated carved lines, showing the talent and dedication of generations of Kim Bong artisans. On the 6th day of the first lunar month every year, the ancestral craft worshiping ceremony is solemnly held at the ancestral temple, attracting a large number of people and tourists from all over to attend.
Ancestral temple, a place of worship for carpentry ancestors in Kim Bong Village
4. Ideal Time to Visit Kim Bong Carpentry Village
Hoi An weather is divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season (from September to February of the following year) and the dry season (from March to August). To have a complete and most comfortable visit to Kim Bong Carpentry Village Hoi An, you should choose the dry season, especially from March to August. During this period, Hoi An weather is usually sunny, with little rain, very suitable for outdoor sightseeing and exploration activities.
However, if you want to experience the unique traditional festival atmosphere of Kim Bong Carpentry Village, come during the ancestral craft worshiping ceremony, held on the 6th day of the first lunar month every year. This is an occasion for the villagers to commemorate the merits of their ancestors, and also to pray for a new year of peace, favorable weather, and bumper crops. Participating in the festival, you will immerse yourself in the bustling, joyful atmosphere, enjoy traditional cultural and artistic activities, and understand more about the spiritual life of the carpentry villagers.
Ancestor veneration festival of Kim Bong carpentry profession held on the 6th day of the first lunar month
5. Suggested Combined Tours Around Kim Bong Carpentry Village
To make your Hoi An exploration journey more diverse and phong phú, you can combine visiting Kim Bong Carpentry Village with other famous traditional craft villages in the area.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village:
Located not far from Kim Bong Carpentry Village, Thanh Ha Pottery Village is another attractive destination for those who love to explore traditional culture. Coming to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, you will admire unique ceramic products, imbued with the characteristics of Quang Nam land. You can also experience making pottery yourself under the guidance of artisans and buy ceramic souvenirs to give to relatives and friends.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village – another famous traditional craft village in Hoi An
Tra Que Vegetable Village:
If you want to learn about traditional vegetable farming and enjoy local specialties, Tra Que Vegetable Village is a great choice. Tra Que Vegetable Village is famous for its fresh and delicious green vegetables, grown using organic methods, bringing a distinctive flavor and being safe for health. Here, you can visit lush green vegetable gardens, learn about the vegetable growing process, and enjoy local specialties made from Tra Que vegetables.
Tra Que Vegetable Village – a green and peaceful destination near Kim Bong Carpentry Village
Hoi An Silk Village:
Hoi An Silk Village is an ideal destination for those who love the soft, lustrous beauty of silk. Coming to the silk village, you will admire the traditional silk production process, from raising silkworms, reeling silk, weaving silk to dyeing and creating exquisite silk products. You can also shop for high-quality silk products such as ao dai, silk scarves, and souvenirs as gifts.
Hoi An Silk Village – a traditional silk weaving village
6. Cuisine Near Kim Bong Carpentry Village: Hoi An Flavors
After exploring Kim Bong Carpentry Village Hoi An, you can return to Hoi An ancient town to enjoy famous specialties of this land.
Cao Lau Hoi An:
Cao Lau is a signature dish, not to be missed when coming to Hoi An. Chewy Cao Lau noodles, rich broth, fragrant roasted pork, combined with fresh raw vegetables and crispy rice crackers, create a unique and unforgettable flavor.
Cao Lau Hoi An – a famous local specialty of the ancient town
Banh Mi Hoi An:
Banh Mi Hoi An is famous throughout the country for its special delicious taste. Crispy crust, diverse and phong phú fillings with pate, roasted pork, Vietnamese sausage, raw vegetables, rich sauce… will surely satisfy every diner.
Banh Mi Hoi An – a popular street food
Com Ga Hoi An:
Com Ga Hoi An is a rustic but extremely attractive dish. Rice is cooked from fragrant sticky rice, boiled free-range chicken with golden skin, tender meat, served with sweet and sour chicken salad and rich ginger fish sauce.
Com Ga Hoi An – a delicious and nutritious chicken rice dish
7. Convenient Accommodation When Visiting Kim Bong Carpentry Village
For convenient visits to Kim Bong Carpentry Village Hoi An and other tourist attractions in Hoi An, you can choose to stay at hotels and resorts in the ancient town area or near the beaches.
Kiman Hoi An Hotel & Spa:
Kiman Hoi An Hotel & Spa is a luxurious 4-star hotel, located right in the center of Hoi An ancient town. The hotel has modern and convenient design, with spacious and airy rooms, fully equipped with amenities. In addition, the hotel also has a swimming pool, spa, restaurant, bar… meeting all the relaxation needs of guests.
Kiman Hoi An Hotel & Spa – a luxury accommodation option in Hoi An
Little Riverside Hoi An:
Little Riverside Hoi An is a charming boutique hotel, located on the banks of the poetic Thu Bon River. The hotel has unique architecture, combining traditional and modern styles, bringing a cozy and romantic space. The rooms at the hotel all have river view or ancient town view, very suitable for those who want to enjoy a peaceful and quiet space.
Little Riverside Hoi An – a boutique hotel with Thu Bon River view
Gem Riverside Hotel Hoi An:
Gem Riverside Hotel Hoi An is a 3-star hotel, located about 1km from Hoi An ancient town. The hotel has a spacious and airy space, with many green trees, bringing a feeling of closeness to nature. The rooms at the hotel are fully equipped with amenities, with private balconies or patios, very suitable for families or groups of friends.
Gem Riverside Hotel Hoi An – a comfortable hotel with green space
8. Useful Tips for Your Trip to Kim Bong Carpentry Village
To make your visit to Kim Bong Carpentry Village Hoi An more complete and meaningful, please note some small tips below:
- Ideal visiting time: Early morning (8am – 10am) or cool afternoon (3pm – 5pm) is the best time to visit the carpentry village, avoiding intense heat.
- Dress code: You should choose comfortable, neat, and easy-to-move clothing. Shoes should be comfortable and suitable for walking a lot.
- Sunscreen, hats: Don’t forget to bring sunscreen and hats to protect your skin from the sun.
- Shopping for souvenirs: Kim Bong Carpentry Village sells many unique fine art wood products, you can buy them as gifts for relatives and friends.
- Combine visiting other craft villages: If you have time, you should combine visiting Kim Bong Carpentry Village with other traditional craft villages such as Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Tra Que Vegetable Village, Hoi An Silk Village to fully explore the cultural beauty of Hoi An.
Conclusion: Kim Bong Carpentry Village – A Must-Visit Destination in Hoi An
Kim Bong Carpentry Village Hoi An is not only a traditional craft village but also an attractive cultural tourist destination, bringing visitors unique and meaningful experiences. Coming to Kim Bong, you will not only admire exquisite wooden artworks but also learn about the history, culture, and life of the craft villagers. Take the time to visit Kim Bong Carpentry Village to feel and discover the precious traditional cultural values of Hoi An.