Nestled in Quang Nam Province’s Hoi An City, the ‘Taboo Bamboo’ shop is very attractive to both domestic and foreign visitors thanks to its unique bamboo products.

Vo Tan Tan (right) and Singaporean visitors at his Taboo Bamboo shop

The shop is owned by 41-year-old Vo Tan Tan who is famous for making unique products from bamboo.

Born into a family with a traditional handicrafts in Hoi An City’s Cam Thanh Commune, Tan could create many things from bamboo from an early age.

His father, Vo Tan Muoi, was a famous craftsman in Hoi An. Tan inherited some of his father’s talent by building a bamboo house like a skilled craftsman at the age of 14.

Tan has graduated from the Junior College of Technology (currently known as the University of Technology and Education), and had nearly 10 years of experience working in the electronics sector.

However, during that period, he has never given up on his dreams and passion and he used every spare moment to create unique bamboo products. Therefore, his special love for bamboo trees has grown year on year in such a natural way.

A cup and bicycle made from bamboo

In mid-2012, the Taboo Bamboo shop officially opened its doors to the public. Nestled under a canopy of bamboo trees, his shop is very inviting to visitors thanks to its beautiful souvenirs, handicrafts and household items made from bamboo.

In the first 3 years of operation, Tan’s shop only sold bamboo bicycles. After that, he began to diversify his products by making souvenirs, decorative items, cups of water, lamps, straws and furniture, made from bamboo.

Besides, visitors to the Taboo Bamboo will have the opportunity to experience how to make simple products from bamboo under the guidance of the shop’s staff.

The shop welcomes a daily average of about 10 visitors. It takes them at least 3 hours to complete a simple product under the guidance of the shop owner.

To date, the shop’s products have won the trust of customers at both home and abroad such as Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, and European countries.

Currently, the Taboo Bamboo shop has a total of 6 employees, some of them are from Lang Son and Nghe An provinces. All of them have special love for bamboo.

Tan creates beautiful bamboo products that are environmentally friendly and he also helps to revive and develop the age old traditional of making bamboo handicrafts.

By MAI HIEN - Translated by MAI DUNG