He owns an old shop of about 10 square meters at No. 59, Hang Quat street (Hoan Kiem District).
Returning from the army after participating in the Vietnam-Laos battlefield in period 1976-1980, Mr. Quang has involved in handmade mold for nearly 40 years. His family originated in Thuong Tin District (Ha Tay province) with traditional craftsmanship of molding, but now Mr. Quang is the only man continuing this patient and meticulous career.
He said, 30 years ago, there was only three "places" of moon cake mold including Nam Dinh province, Hai Phong province and Hanoi. ". At that time, the cake was not as widely distributed as it is now. People regarded it as a luxury gift, only those who lives in Hanoi can buy and dedicate to ancestors. Moon cake is the crystallization of heaven and earth and represents the agriculture culture. Traditional cake is made of pumpkin jam, jam, eggs, sugar and fatty meat... which are the typical agricultural products of the Vietnamese. After autumn harvest, Mid-Autumn Festival is the occasion for children and adults to gather, talking while eating slices of cake and drink a cup of tea, pointing back to the achievements of labor from the beginning of the year", Mr. Quang said.
Talking about the profession, he said that he can continue this career thanks to the sensitivity, understanding the guests demand and the personality of residents in Ke Cho area as well as the chance to meet all kinds of people. Mr. Quang welcomes guests from Thai Binh province, Hai Phong province, Ho Chi Minh City ... to overseas to order. According to him, a mold maker must be calm, attentive and meticulous in order to make a new square and smart mold. In thousands of handmade wooden molds, none of which are identical. It may be in the same pattern, but each mold has its own individual features.
Talking while enjoying a cup of tea, Mr. Quang is still perky enough to welcome visitors to buy and order the mold. In which, a famous traditional baker in Ly Nam De street said: "Up to now, there are all kinds of plastic modern mold but only by this wooden one can I make a truly cake". Another guest buying molds for a primary school in Hanoi, chooses a dozen of molds in fish, rabbit, dragon and phoenix shapes ... Mr. Quang shared with the guests: "The traditional mold is in the carp shape, meaning" carp turns into dragon", which shows the aspiration for better future". An overseas Vietnamese in Australia trading moon cake, always orders Mr. Quang mold because "Foreigners are only interested in traditional Vietnamese cake instead of modern ones". In addition to the traditional mold, he also make others on demand with special name and logo...” The mold’s value may cost only a cent but the creation make it can be worth 10 cents more" Mr. Quang explained for the special mold with price up to a million Vietnam dongs. What made him fall for handmade molds during the past 40 years is the customer’s satisfaction after buying.
The 62-year-old man will not accept the artist's tittle though now hardly can people find another handmade mold shop in Hanoi. Looking at the house No. 59 in Hang Quat Street before saying goodbye to him, I sincerely wish the people like Mr. Quang will always remain with time, in the pace of the capital's continuous movement.
Returning from the army after participating in the Vietnam-Laos battlefield in period 1976-1980, Mr. Quang has involved in handmade mold for nearly 40 years. His family originated in Thuong Tin District (Ha Tay province) with traditional craftsmanship of molding, but now Mr. Quang is the only man continuing this patient and meticulous career.
Mr Nguyen Van Quang (left) is dicussing with customer
|
Some of his handmade moon-cake molds
|
Talking while enjoying a cup of tea, Mr. Quang is still perky enough to welcome visitors to buy and order the mold. In which, a famous traditional baker in Ly Nam De street said: "Up to now, there are all kinds of plastic modern mold but only by this wooden one can I make a truly cake". Another guest buying molds for a primary school in Hanoi, chooses a dozen of molds in fish, rabbit, dragon and phoenix shapes ... Mr. Quang shared with the guests: "The traditional mold is in the carp shape, meaning" carp turns into dragon", which shows the aspiration for better future". An overseas Vietnamese in Australia trading moon cake, always orders Mr. Quang mold because "Foreigners are only interested in traditional Vietnamese cake instead of modern ones". In addition to the traditional mold, he also make others on demand with special name and logo...” The mold’s value may cost only a cent but the creation make it can be worth 10 cents more" Mr. Quang explained for the special mold with price up to a million Vietnam dongs. What made him fall for handmade molds during the past 40 years is the customer’s satisfaction after buying.
The 62-year-old man will not accept the artist's tittle though now hardly can people find another handmade mold shop in Hanoi. Looking at the house No. 59 in Hang Quat Street before saying goodbye to him, I sincerely wish the people like Mr. Quang will always remain with time, in the pace of the capital's continuous movement.
