Dinh Cong silversmiths keeping the torch hot for next generations

Dinh Cong village in Hanoi has been nurturing a traditional craft since the sixth century: silversmithing (dau bac). The story of the silvercraft village began before the Ly Dynasty, when three brothers from the Tran family went to Dinh Cong village and taught the villagers to make silver jewellery. Passing it down from generation to generation, the village became one of the four most elite craft villages in Thang Long citadel. Dau bac requires a silversmith to be patient and skillful. To make a complete silver product, the craftsman must go through a number of steps, including designing a pattern by hand, burning silver, handling silver, spinning silver into threads, shaping each product, polishing and lightening the product. Unlike mass-produced silver products, dau bac products are made by hand so each item is very elaborate. It takes about three days to finish an item like a ring, necklace and earrings while a silver painting needs months to complete. Source: Vietnam News Agency