Mr Nguyen Van Hieu, residing in Hoa An Ward, Cam Le District, Da Nang has been making traditional drums for more than three decades.

The traditional craft of making drums is originated from Doi Tam Village, Tien Son Commune, Duy Tien District, Ha Nam. This is an heirloom craft only passed on from father to son in the family.

Mr Hieu is still working hard every day to earn a living and preserve his ancestors’ career for his descendants.

According to Mr Hieu, to make a drum, the craftsman has to go through many stages, but the selection of materials is the most important stage.

The wood for the body of the drum must come from an old jackfruit tree with a curvature that matches the requirements of each type of drum. Meanwhile, the buffalo skin used for the drumhead must be scraped clean and then stretched and dried, so it is tough and will not rot as time goes by.

After over 30 years of operation, Mr Hieu’s drum production workshop has been well-known in Da Nang and other localities nationwide.

In the context of industrialization, the sound of drums is gradually becoming saturated and replaced by electronic sounds. However, traditional drums still hold an important place in the hearts of every Vietnamese person and he thinks this craft will not disappear.

A craftsman is making a frame of a drum

Buffalo skin is used for the drumhead

Most of the stages of making a drum are done manually by Mr Nguyen Van Hieu and his son

Reporting by QUOC CUONG - Translating by M.DUNG