Kim Bong Carpentry Village
Kim Bong woodworking village is a village located in Cam Kim commune, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, most notable for its carpentry (including cabinet making and shipbuilding) and traditional woodworking products.
Established in the 15th century, it reached its peak in the 18th century, during which time village craftsmen contributed their skills in woodworking to many different projects, including the Imperial capital in Hue. Using their shipbuilding skills, they supplied ships and ghe bau (large boats used for sailing) for the activities of the busy commercial port of Hoi An.
To deal with a marked decline of interest in the woodworking profession during the 20th century, the village successfully offered training and other incentives to young apprentices, resulting in an increase to over 200 woodworkers and 18 different woodcarving companies as of 2008. Additionally, a successful community-based tourism project in Kim Bong has allowed greater tourism revenue for the village; the venture's success has been suggested as a pattern for future sustainable tourism projects throughout Southeast Asia.
The village's name comes from the Vietnamese kim (yellow) and bong (floating), supposedly after the jackfruit wood that sometimes floats on the Thu Bon River.