TL;DR: The agarwood carving craft in Vạn Thắng commune, Vạn Ninh district, Khánh Hòa is a family trade passed down for over 100 years, gathering about 400 households with more than 700 workers. On December 20, 2024, it was officially recognized as a site with potential for community tourism development.
Vạn Thắng Agarwood Carving Village: The Essence of Khánh Hòa's Agarwood Land
Khánh Hòa province is famous for two precious gifts of nature: agarwood (tram huong) and swiftlet nests. Vạn Ninh district (before July 2025) has been considered the capital of agarwood in Khánh Hòa for centuries, and the agarwood carving craft in Vạn Thắng commune is where this heritage shines brightest.
How was the Vạn Thắng carving village formed?
Agarwood carving in Vạn Thắng is a family trade passed down for over 100 years. On September 7, 2016, the Khánh Hòa Provincial People's Committee officially recognized Phú Hội 1 hamlet as a traditional agarwood carving village with over a century of history. Today, the village gathers about 400 households with more than 700 workers, making it one of the largest communities of agarwood artisans in the South Central Coast region.
Previously, local households mostly did subcontracting work with unstable output. In recent years, however, applying scientific and technical advances has allowed the village to create highly refined products with greater economic value, expanding markets both domestically and internationally.
How does the agarwood carving process work?
The craft requires extraordinary patience and precision. The journey begins with the do bau tree (Aquilaria crassna), endemic to Khánh Hòa forests. When the tree is wounded naturally or artificially, it secretes resin to heal itself, gradually forming agarwood, the resinous heartwood prized for its fragrance.
Artisans use specialized tools to carefully carve away the white, non-resinous wood, preserving only the dark, fragrant agarwood core. For large pieces, they perform meticulous sculpting to create ornamental agarwood artworks. Pieces nearly one meter tall, crafted with great skill, can fetch hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong.
What products does Vạn Thắng village make?
The village now produces a wide range of products:
- Ornamental agarwood sculptures: Original carved pieces with high aesthetic and spiritual value, used as luxury gifts or interior decoration.
- Agarwood bracelets and jewelry: Popular for their long-lasting natural fragrance and feng shui significance.
- Agarwood incense (with and without sticks): Serving spiritual and relaxation needs while preserving the distinctive aroma.
- Agarwood essential oil: A premium product with significant economic value.
The craft provides stable employment for hundreds of local workers with monthly incomes of 6 to 8 million VND, improving livelihoods while preserving a precious heritage.
How does Vạn Thắng develop community tourism?
A milestone was reached on December 20, 2024, when Vạn Ninh district announced Vạn Thắng agarwood carving village as a site with potential for community tourism development. This recognition opens new sustainable paths for the village.
Visitors can observe artisans at work, learn about how agarwood forms on do bau trees, and experience the production process firsthand. Tour operators have begun bringing domestic and international visitors, who respond with great enthusiasm.
What does the Vạn Thắng Agarwood Cooperative do?
The Vạn Thắng Agarwood Cooperative was established to link local households and ensure sustainable development. It has been a pioneer in building and preserving the agarwood brand, achieving notable recognition:
- Two commendations from the Khánh Hòa Provincial People's Committee for outstanding OCOP program implementation (2019-2021) and as an exemplary cooperative in 2023.
- A commendation from the Vietnam Farmers' Union Central Committee for contributions to production, business, and new rural development in 2023.
What is the future of the Vạn Thắng carving village?
Vạn Thắng village stands at a promising crossroads, combining traditional craft values with experiential tourism. Local authorities are building connections with businesses nationwide, expanding the value chain from production to consumption. Preserving this craft is not just about economics; it is about safeguarding the cultural soul of the "agarwood land," elevating Vietnam's agarwood brand on the world stage.
Summary table of recognition milestones, scale, and achievements of the Vạn Thắng agarwood incense making craft village.
| Event, milestone | Issuing unit, organization | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 7/9/2016 | Khánh Hòa Provincial People's Committee | Recognized Phú Hội 1 hamlet, Vạn Thắng commune as a traditional agarwood incense making craft village |
| 20/12/2024 | Vạn Ninh District People's Committee (before July 2025) | Announced the craft village as having potential for community tourism development |
| 2019-2021 period | Chairman of Khánh Hòa Provincial People's Committee | Certificate of merit for outstanding achievements in implementing the OCOP Program |
| 2023 | Chairman of Khánh Hòa Provincial People's Committee | Certificate of merit for a typical advanced cooperative |
| 2023 | Central Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Union | Certificate of merit for contributions in production, business, and new rural construction |
