In a small workshop, the sound of knives and chisels fills the air. The floor is covered with agarwood sawdust and smells of wood and agarwood.

Duong Ngoc Thai, 64, carefully carves a 200-gram agarwood piece. He holds the block with one hand and uses a small chisel with the other.

Thai says it looks simple, but one wrong cut can ruin the agarwood. He must sit all day to keep the natural shape and precious oil inside.

Thai has been doing this job since he was 19. He learned from his father how to hold a knife and recognize agarwood in tree trunks.

To get original agarwood, craftsmen must go through many steps. They saw and chip the trunk, removing the bark and white sapwood.

When they reach the core, they use a large chisel to break it open. Then, they use small gouges to remove excess wood and keep the natural shape.

For over 40 years, Thai's family has made a living from carving agarwood. It's not difficult, but it requires patience and attention to detail.

If a craftsman is distracted, the knife can go wrong and puncture the agarwood. This job is not for hot-tempered people.

Many agarwood workers have been cut or injured. Some young people give up after a few tries, but patience is necessary for this job.

Thai earns about 300,000 VND per day. He also takes care of his fields to earn extra money. Three of his children follow in his footsteps.

Sau Thoi, 64, has also been crafting agarwood for over 40 years. He is working on a 10kg wood blank to make a feng shui item.

Thoi says this profession has been passed down from their ancestors. Once you get used to it, you stick with it for life.

Agarwood crafting is different from other carpentry jobs. Each wood blank is unique, and the craftsman must observe carefully to know what to keep and what to remove.

Craftsmen in Van Thang make various products like sculptures, bracelets, and incense sticks. Prices range from hundreds of thousands to millions of VND.

The value of agarwood depends on the amount of essential oil, fragrance, and clarity. High-quality agarwood can be traded for hundreds of thousands to millions of VND per gram.

The Van Thang Agarwood Cooperative has over 400 households making agarwood products. They offer diverse product lines.

The cooperative has 14 members and connects with 50 households. They sell products to users, tourists, and export some items to other countries.

Xuan Ngoc