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| Every detail of the wedding gate perfected |
“Craft chooses people”
It was a jesting but true word Dong shared with us when he told us about his arduous but joyful journey of entering the craft of making dragons, and phoenixes with flowers, leaves, and fruits. Starting as a guy passionate about cooking, carpentry, and then orchid arrangement, Phan Van Dong has experienced many ups and downs before finding his life's destination.
Dong said, “I entered the craft from the first ceremonial tray I created for my close friend's wedding. After a lot of hard work and vicissitudes, I realized that making the dragon and phoenix casket for a wedding has become a passion ever since."
Never did he attend any school, but with good taste and constant exploring and learning, the modern dragon and phoenix trays and caskets have become the 9X guy’s trademark.
On average, every month, Phan Van Dong creates 20-30 ceremonial trays of dragons and phoenixes. In the peak months, the number of ceremonial trays doubles or even more.
“At that time, I slept only 2-3 hours a day. Working hard, in return I both earned a high income and completed the beautiful dragon and phoenix wedding tray to serve the customers, beautifying and dignifying the wedding. It is an immeasurable joy,” said Dong.
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| Phan Van Dong (standing) meticulously creating the small details of the dragon's head |
Students from everywhere have come to Dong to learn the craft. Aside from the provincial students, the largest number of students is from Quang Nam, Da Nang, Quang Tri, and Quang Binh; some are from Hanoi.
Young Nguyen Huong, a native of Dak Lak shared, “I desired to pursue the craft of making wedding trays, so I reached Hue to study with Mr. Dong. Dong's dragon and phoenix style is modern and constantly updated, so it is trendy and loved by young people. Although it's a bit far away, with passion for the craft, I wish to learn unceasingly so that I can pursue this passion."
Majestic wedding gate
From the success in the dragon and phoenix tray and casket, Phan Van Dong set himself a tougher target: creating the majestic and unique dragon and phoenix wedding gates like the traditional wedding ones in Southwestern Vietnam.
The guy said, “In the past, the dragon and phoenix wedding gate was a typical product on the wedding day of the people in Southwestern Vietnam. But over time, these wedding gates were gradually replaced by iron frame gates and artificial flowers. The same goes for Hue: the wedding gates decorated with coconut leaves or natural materials are almost absent. That's why I desire to make the dragon and phoenix wedding gates both beautiful and majestic, bringing simple but no less luxurious beauty to many couples on the big day."
Made of raw materials such as areca nuts, pepper, okras, pandan leaves, and calimero chrysanthemum, it normally takes Phan Van Dong a week to finalize a dragon and phoenix wedding gate.
Dong said, “To create the dragon and phoenix shapes, besides the rough texture, dozens of kilograms of flowers, leaves, and fruits are needed. In particular, the rough part I design and create takes three days; the remaining days are used to perfect every detail.
With the characteristics of natural materials, in addition to ensuring the freshness of flowers, leaves, and fruits, Phan Van Dong has to ensure the curvature and show all the style and majesty of the dragon and phoenix.
“Therefore, besides experience, creating a wedding gate also requires the craftsman's great concentration on every little detail. The unique features from the dragon's scales, phoenix’s wings to their eyes need to be vivid and soulful, but the harmony and grace are retained when the gate is viewed as a whole," analyzed Phan Van Dong.
Bao Hung (Gia Hoi Ward), the customer who chose the dragon and phoenix wedding gate by Dong for his happy day, said, “Through social networks, I knew about Dong’s dragon and phoenix wedding gate design service. Liking it so much, I chose this wedding gate for my big day. When the wedding gate was finalized, both the two families and the guests especially enjoyed and lavished their praise on the new and traditional beauty of this wedding gate.”
Aside from creating a beautiful and unique wedding gate, Phan Van Dong also shares his love of the craft with people who have the same passion. Currently, the young man is managing a fan page on learning how to make betrothal caskets and wedding flowers with more than 43,000 members. This is a site where members share experiences, and learn more new things, thereby spreading more love and enthusiasm for the craft of making the dragon and phoenix caskets.