Thesis Proposal Carpenter in Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City – Free Word Template Download with AI

The rapid urbanization of Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City presents a profound challenge to traditional craftsmanship, particularly for the Carpenter. As one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic metropolises, HCMC has witnessed explosive growth in high-rise construction and modern interior design. Yet this transformation threatens the very existence of skilled Carpenter artisans who embody centuries-old woodworking traditions. This Thesis Proposal addresses a critical gap: the lack of comprehensive academic research on the socio-economic sustainability, cultural value, and future viability of traditional carpentry within Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City's unique urban landscape. Understanding how to preserve this vital craft is not merely an academic exercise but an urgent cultural imperative for preserving HCMC's tangible heritage.

Traditional carpentry in Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City, once the backbone of residential architecture (e.g., wooden *nhà gỗ*), temple construction, and intricate decorative elements (*mái cong*, *cửa gỗ*), is facing unprecedented decline. Younger generations increasingly view artisanal woodworking as an unprofitable or obsolete profession due to the dominance of prefabricated materials, cheaper labor from industrial workshops, and a shift in aesthetic preferences towards modern minimalism. Key contributing factors include: (1) The lack of formal vocational training pathways specifically for traditional carpentry within Vietnam's education system; (2) Limited government support for cultural preservation initiatives targeting small-scale artisans; (3) Economic pressures forcing Carpenter families to abandon the craft for more lucrative, but less culturally significant, jobs. This erosion represents a loss of irreplaceable intangible cultural heritage directly tied to Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City's historical identity.

This research aims to develop a viable framework for the sustainable preservation of traditional carpentry within Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City. Specific objectives include:

• To conduct a detailed ethnographic study mapping remaining traditional Carpenter workshops across key districts (e.g., District 1, District 3, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan), documenting techniques, materials used (especially locally sourced hardwoods like rosewood and teak), and generational knowledge transfer.
• To analyze the socio-economic challenges faced by contemporary Carpenter artisans in HCMC through surveys and in-depth interviews with 50+ practitioners, including youth apprentices.
• To assess the potential for integrating traditional carpentry skills into modern HCMC architecture and tourism initiatives (e.g., heritage homestays, boutique hotel interiors) to create viable market niches.
• To propose evidence-based policy recommendations for local authorities (HCMC People's Committee, Department of Culture) and NGOs to support the craft through training programs, micro-loans, and cultural promotion campaigns.

While studies exist on Vietnamese craftsmanship (e.g., Nguyen & Le, 2019 on silk weaving) and urban development in HCMC (Tran, 2021), a critical gap persists regarding *traditional carpentry specifically within the metropolis*. Most research focuses on industrial construction or historical architecture conservation without engaging directly with the living artisans. International studies (e.g., UNESCO reports on intangible cultural heritage) provide frameworks but lack localization for Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City's distinct context – a city where colonial influences, post-war reconstruction, and hyper-modernization coexist in a unique tension. This thesis directly addresses this absence by centering the lived experience of the Carpenter in contemporary HCMC.

This mixed-methods study will employ a sequential approach conducted primarily within Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City:

1. Phase 1 (Literature & Mapping): Review historical archives from HCMC Museum and Department of Culture, combined with field mapping of active workshops using GIS tools to identify cultural clusters.
2. Phase 2 (Qualitative Fieldwork): Conduct 30 semi-structured interviews with master Carpenters aged 45+, including apprentices and business owners in HCMC. Participant observation at workshops (e.g., in the historic Chợ Lớn district) to document processes.
3. Phase 3 (Quantitative Analysis): Administer surveys to 100+ Carpenter-related businesses across HCMC, analyzing financial viability, market demand shifts, and training needs.
4. Phase 4 (Co-Design Workshop): Collaborate with selected artisans and HCMC cultural officials to prototype a community-based preservation model.

This Thesis Proposal will deliver significant theoretical, practical, and policy contributions:

• Theoretical: Develops a new framework for understanding "urban craft resilience" in the context of Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City's rapid development trajectory.
• Practical: Creates a tangible roadmap for artisans, including potential partnerships with HCMC tourism boards and sustainable architecture firms (e.g., linking carpentry skills to eco-tourism projects).
• Policy: Provides the HCMC People's Committee with actionable data to revise cultural preservation policies under Decree No. 63/2024/NĐ-CP, potentially leading to dedicated craft districts or apprenticeship subsidies.