Hut maker carves out successful market niche

While many Lao families are trying to modernise their lifestyle and make use of new technology, others are interested in preserving tradition.

One man has recently set up a successful business making wooden huts for use and decoration in homes and hotels, finding many people appreciate a rustic touch to their living quarters.

A Lao family has built a profitable business by constructing and selling traditional wooden huts in Vientiane and Savannakhet. -

Mr Vong Manyvong and his son, Tong, who live in Songkhone district, Savannakhet province, believe they were the first family in Laos to build wooden huts for sale. They believe they are preserving tradition and seem to have a found a ready market for their products.

Mr Vong's son worked as a trader selling old handicrafts. During the course of his work he saw many interesting temples, traditional style houses and restaurants which featured attractive decorative objects from Laos and neighbouring countries.

He and his son decided it was worth trying to make some of these pieces themselves, to bring in more income for the family.

Tong bought wood to make the huts, which he, his father and his other brothers now sell to restaurants, hotels and wealthy people in the province.

They make different styles of hut, but all of them are made from wood. They are sturdy and can last for more than 10 years.

The huts add a decorative touch to a front garden and provide a shady spot to relax or have a drink with friends.

“We began making the huts in November last year. It wasn't easy because we'd never done it before. I designed the huts myself – it took us a long time to assemble the first one we built,” said Mr Vong.

A typical hut is about 1.50m wide, 2m long and 2.50m high, but if a customer wants one that is smaller or larger the family team can make one to order.

“Now we know buyers are interested and are placing orders, so we've tried to make different styles and come up with better designs,” Mr Vong said.

“We've also improved the way we carve the wood, using methods we've seen in other countries because our customers seem to find these designs attractive.”

The huts are made from teak, Pahudia cochinchinensis p and Pterocapus macrocapus kurz wood species, which Mr Vong and his sons buy from timber yards.

“The most difficult part is carving the special designs because it requires special skills,” he said.

Mr Vong said he had not trained as a carpenter but had learnt to be a mechanic, although he had not done any repair work for many years.

When he discovered he had a special talent for working with wood and making tables, chairs and boats, he turned his hand to building wooden huts.

It takes him and his son about three weeks to build a hut, but says if more people worked on the job they might finish a hut in five days to a week.

“We use sandpaper to clean the wood and make it smooth. After that we varnish the wood to prevent any insects boring into it. Varnish and lacquer also brighten the wood and give it an attractive appearance,” Mr Vong said.

Nobody else in Laos makes huts quite like these because they are designed to look like a miniature Lao house.

Customers are charged 6 to 10 million kip for a hut, depending on the delivery distance.

Mr Vong makes different roof designs. One resembles the roof of a house, another looks like an umbrella, and he can also make two roofs joined together.

So far he has sold more than 100 huts around the country, mostly in Savannakhet province, earning a profit of about one million kip for each hut.

A month ago Mr Vong moved to Nathom village in Xaythany district, Vientiane , and is still carrying on with the work.

His four sons run the business in Savannakhet.

Mr Vong is currently making three huts. He has just finished one which already has a buyer, and is working on the other two huts.

He plans to design a new style of roof he thinks will attract more customers.

The business does not make his family rich but Mr Vong likes the way his products are a reminder of a disappearing lifestyle.

By Khamphone SYVONGXAY