Discovering traditional beauty in the Kim Bong Carpentry Village Ancestor Commemoration Ceremony

Kim Bong Carpentry Village is located in Trung Chau Hamlet, Cam Kim Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province (now Da Nang City). Situated along the poetic Thu Bon River, the village is about 3km west of the center of Hoi An Ancient Town, easily accessible by motorbike, bicycle, or riverboat. This craft village has a history of more than 500 years, established in the 17th century thanks to the contributions of four generals during King Le Loi's era (Nguyen, Huynh, Phan, Truong families), who reclaimed the land and developed carpentry here. It is famous for intricate wood carvings, from furniture to sculptures, contributing to Hoi An's cultural heritage – a UNESCO World Heritage site.

For convenience in following and planning your schedule to attend, the time of organizing the Ancestor Commemoration Ceremony of Kim Bong Carpentry Village can be summarized through the main information below:

• Time of organization: Takes place annually on the 6th day of the first lunar month, usually falling around February in the Solar Calendar depending on the year.
• Time of day: The festival usually starts around 7:00 AM.
• Duration: Activities last until the afternoon, including solemn ceremonial rituals and lively festive activities.

With a clear timeframe and a highly community-oriented atmosphere, the Ancestor Commemoration Ceremony of Kim Bong Carpentry Village is a suitable opportunity for locals and tourists to attend together and learn about the unique traditional cultural activities of Kim Bong craft village.

The main rituals of the festival take place at Tien Hien Communal House, with a solemn ceremony presided over by highly skilled carpentry elders. It begins with the Am Linh worship ritual (offering to ancestors' souls), offering platters of fruits, sticky rice, chicken, wine, and symbolic wooden products. This is followed by the "phat moc" ritual – cutting the first log of wood of the new year, symbolizing a lucky start and craftsmanship in the trade. At the end of the ceremony, new year blessings (loc) are distributed to the people, wishing for health, peace, and exquisite craftsmanship.

The Ancestor Commemoration Ceremony carries deep cultural value, serving as an occasion for Kim Bong residents to honor the patron ancestors of the craft and express gratitude to predecessors who built the craft village since the 17th century. Spiritually, the festival helps the community seek protection from ancestors, bringing good luck to carpentry, the village's main livelihood. It also serves as a generational bridge, where elderly artisans interact and pass down experiences to the younger generation, contributing to the preservation of Hoi An's cultural heritage.

For local people, the festival is not only a ritual but also a symbol of national identity, promoting the economy by advertising carpentry products, attracting tourism, and maintaining community cohesion.

Besides the ceremonial part, the vibrant festival section offers many attractive folk activities for visitors. You can admire artisans demonstrating wood carving, shipbuilding, mat weaving, or basket weaving on the spot. Experience chiseling wood with your own hands under the guidance of local craftsmen to create simple products such as wooden spoons or small figurines.

Folk games such as Bai Choi singing, blindfolded pot breaking, human chess, bamboo dancing, and Mandarin square capturing will bring a lively atmosphere. Don't forget to savor local cuisine such as Quang noodles, Cao Lau, corn sweet soup, or crushed cassava, prepared by village women wearing traditional Ao Ba Ba. These activities are not only entertaining but also help visitors gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese craft village culture.

To make your attendance at the Ancestor Commemoration Ceremony of Kim Bong Carpentry Village smooth and complete, you can keep in mind the following tips:

• Time to attend: You should arrive at Kim Bong village early on the morning of the 6th day of the Lunar New Year to fully watch the solemn ceremony.
• Attire: Prefer polite and comfortable clothing, avoiding overly elaborate outfits to easily participate in activities.
• Personal preparation: Bring a hat, cap, and sunscreen as daytime weather can be hot and sunny.
• Combined experience: Visit the traditional carpentry craft village to buy carved wooden products as souvenirs.

The Ancestor Commemoration Ceremony of Kim Bong Carpentry Village is not only a ritual expressing gratitude to the craft ancestors, but also a space that clearly shows the cultural identity and cohesive spirit of the traditional craft village community. By maintaining ancient rituals and community activities, the Ancestor Commemoration Ceremony contributes to preserving the value of Kim Bong carpentry in contemporary life. For tourists, this is a suitable occasion to access local cultural depth, better understand the history of the craft village, and experience Hoi An imbued with traditional marks.