"Father" of Hoi An bamboo sculpture
Red “Bamboo” is the name people gave to Mr. Huynh Phuong Do. Because that name is associated with the work he has been doing, the person who breathes life into bamboo roots.
“In 1989, his family sent him to study wood carving at the age of 16. He has been interested in the art of sculpture until now. Compared to wood carving, shaping bamboo roots is much more difficult. Because each bamboo root has a different shape, you have to know how to utilize your imagination and creativity based on the shape of the bamboo root, thereby creating sculptures with different emotional molds of joy, anger, love, and hate” – Mr. Huynh Phuong Do shared.
According to Ms. Huynh Thi Ngoc Tran (30 years old), a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, she has visited Hoi An many times, and every time she comes here, she goes to Mr. Do's shop to buy souvenirs. Having traveled to many places, but for her, Mr. Do's bamboo sculptures always leave a deep impression on her when talking about Hoi An.
When asked about the fate that brought him to this unique bamboo carving art, Mr. Do said: “In 2000, there was a big flood in Hoi An, I was at home with my parents on Bach Dang street, by chance a clump of bamboo was swept away by the flood and washed up on the house, not knowing what to do with it, and having my tools ready, I scooped it up and tried carving it, who would have thought it would take shape and even sell for a good price at a souvenir shop on Tran Phu street at that time”.
From local products to Hoi An tourism icon
Known as an artistic and unique tourist city, Hoi An offers visitors unique cultural experiences, from ancient architecture, traditional cuisine to exquisite handicrafts.
According to Mr. Dinh Van Phuc, Director of the Quang Nam Center for Industrial Promotion and Trade Promotion, “The works of artisan Phuong Do are not only beautiful decorative items but also carry deep cultural values, associated with tourism and services in the ancient town. Each of his products is a message of sustainability and respect for nature, contributing to creating a unique feature for Hoi An.”
With his eloquence and enough foreign language skills to communicate with foreign tourists, Mr. Do with his missing teeth attracts many domestic and foreign tourists interested in his Hoi An bamboo sculpture art.
