A video of a beautiful woman showcasing her wood sculpting work recently went viral, attracting nearly 2 million views and countless comments.

Yet, many viewers expressed skepticism, doubting that a woman could handcraft such intricate and vivid wood sculptures. Some even claimed the video was just a marketing stunt.

The woman in question is Le Thi Ha, born in 1992 in Da Nang. She is considered a rarity in the field of wood sculpture and now boasts 15 years of experience.

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Le Thi Ha has been working in wood carving for 15 years.

Le Thi Ha shared: “Wood carving is demanding. You constantly deal with wood dust and splinters, and the job requires creativity, an artistic eye, physical strength, and patience.

The trade is typically associated with men, so many people didn’t believe I could do it. When I first learned, my teacher trained me from the most basic steps. That’s why, as a craftswoman, I can complete a piece from raw wood to finished artwork on my own.

I now own a wood carving workshop with craftsmen working under me. Still, I’m the one who creates the initial design and shapes the base for my workers. During peak seasons, especially before Lunar New Year, I often stay up late, hammer and chisel in hand, working alongside my team to meet deadlines.”

Coming from a family with no background in woodworking, Ha initially tried bridal makeup and hairdressing after finishing high school. But she soon realized these weren’t her calling and left those jobs.

By chance, she encountered local carpenters in her neighborhood. Discovering her artistic flair, she asked to try wood carving.

Her family strongly disapproved of this decision. Her father repeatedly objected, believing woodworking was too strenuous for a woman.

Woodworking shops and carving studios also hesitated to train her, fearing a young woman couldn’t keep up with the physical demands.

Nevertheless, Ha was determined. She learned while working in a carpentry workshop.

Crafting a career

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At her home workshop, Ha can complete a sculpture entirely by hand from a raw wooden block.

Thanks to her talent, Ha became a paid craftswoman after just three years of apprenticeship. She continued working to refine her skills in various carpentry workshops.

“I got into wood carving simply to earn a living, not out of passion,” she said. “But as I grew more familiar with it, I came to love the craft.

That’s why I continuously sought to improve. I learned from experienced artisans and visited renowned craft villages in the North, such as Bac Ninh and Nam Dinh, to expand my skills.”

With a solid foundation, she eventually opened her own workshop. However, without a steady customer base, she often rented and returned shop spaces.

Eventually, she brought her tools and passion back home to work. Every piece is her own creation, from ideation and initial form to chiseling and final touches.

Each sculpture is handmade, unique, and full of character. That’s why her pieces - featuring themes like mountain landscapes, cranes with lotus flowers, and countryside scenes - quickly gained popularity among customers.

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Ha’s wood carvings are highly regarded for their craftsmanship and artistry.
Photos: NVCC

Her works are known for their complex composition and layered depth, demanding high-level skills to achieve refined lines and spatial effects. Ha skillfully combines techniques to create a sense of depth and movement, making her carvings come alive like vivid paintings.

Soon after moving back home, she began to attract regular clients. As business grew, she hired additional staff.

At her home workshop, she also offers free training for those interested in the trade. Currently, she employs three main craftsmen, each earning between USD 470 to 590 per month.

“Each year, my workshop produces around 15 large, high-value pieces,” Ha explained. “Depending on the size, wood type, and level of detail, our sculptures range from several million dong to hundreds of millions of dong” (approximately USD 120 to USD 4,000).

Depending on the theme and customer needs, Ha’s sculptures are often used as gifts or to decorate living rooms, offices, home altars, or grand villa lobbies and traditional cafés. Larger pieces are also used as room dividers or wall panels, adding artistic flair to living spaces.

Ha Nguyen