Amid the hustle and bustle of the urban life, 60-year-old Nguyen Van Hien, a Da Nang native, always spends much of his time collecting simple yet meaningful agricultural and fishing tools, plus other old daily-use items, in an effort to preserve time-honoured characteristics of traditional Vietnamese villages.

Mr Hien showing his special love for old daily-use items

Mr Hien, who is now the Head of the council of clans of the Hoa My Village, Hoa Minh Ward, Lien Chieu District are usually hauntingly worried about the rapid urbanisation in his hometown.

He sadly said, in the past, his residential location was beautifully covered with vast expanses of lush green paddy fields, and his ancestors of many generations spent their whole lives here with special sentimental attachment for this land.

In fact, such vintage farm tools as ploughs, harrows, sickles, scoops, and rice mills have remained deep in the mind of the 60-year-old man.

To date, farming areas have been narrowed to give space for high rises, and now, agricultural tools seem strange to urban children who are growing in modern life. Therefore, how to preserve characteristics of traditional Vietnamese lifestyle always haunts his mind.

Since 2005, Mr Hien joined efforts with his late friend Truong Quang Phuoc to collect agricultural and fishing tools and other old daily-use items from former farmers.

Mr Hien revealed that collecting these items is considered as an appealing hobby because it offers him the fun, excitement, and especially, and keeps his feelings of nostalgia for the good old days back in his hometown.

Also importantly, thanks to these artifacts, young generations have the chance to gain a deeper insight into the traditional culture of the country, long-lasting traditional family customs and practices, and the hardship their predecessors underwent. It is also an ideal way to remind youngsters of their roots.

The collected items include old jar dating back more than 300 years, handmade ebony wood chopsticks, and other items made during the country’s resistance war against the US troops.

Notable artifacts collected by Mr Hien

Notable amongst these artifacts is valuable 10-piece set of antique copper pots which had been passed down through many generations.

These heirlooms show off special characteristics and the cultural value. the collection of antique pots represents the man’s deep loyalty and gratitude to his ancestors. These precious treasures really help the descendants learn more about the life of their predecessors.

A total of more than 400 artifacts collected from local farming families were on display at last year’s Hoa My Communal House Festival.

Included were sickles, rice mortar, rice mill, and buckets, and tools used in carpentry, sewing, baking and fishing activities.

At the event, Mr Hien was very touched at seeing the participating children ask about the step-by-step rice production. He said each simple artifact shows off cultural quintessence, the vicissitudes of Viet Nam’s history.

The man has always hoped that these objects, in one day, would be displayed at a farm museum which is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and bringing to life the rich agricultural heritage of the country.