A question arises. Have you ever wondered about a place where the past and future intertwine? That place is Xã Kiêu Kỵ. It is a commune located in the southern part of Gia Lâm district. Xã Kiêu Kỵ is undergoing rapid urbanization. It is a place where the echoes of ancient traditions meet modern development.
In the early 19th century Kiêu Kỵ was part of Đa Tốn. Later it became part of Thuận Thành. During the French resistance Kiêu Kỵ joined other villages. They formed a larger commune named Tân Hưng. After land reforms in 1957 Kiêu Kỵ was separated. It became its own commune. In 1961 it was integrated into Hanoi. This happened along with other communes in Gia Lâm district.
Xã Kiêu Kỵ shares borders with Dương Xá to the north. Đa Tốn lies to its west. Tân Quang in Hưng Yên province is to the east. Cửu Cao in Hưng Yên province is to the south.
The commune covers 5.88 square kilometers. In 2022 the population was 13340 people. This results in a population density of about 2268 people per square kilometer. The commune includes several villages. These are Trung Dương Kiêu Kỵ Gia Cốc Xuân Thủy Chu Xá Hoàng Xá and Báo Đáp. There is also the residential area Z176.
Kiêu Kỵ has a fairly developed economy. Besides rice cultivation the commune has two well-known crafts. These are gold leaf gilding and making mực nho ink. Mực nho ink requires keo. It is a special glue made from buffalo hide.
The craft of gold leaf gilding requires skill. Artisans need to work with patience and meticulous care. The production process starts with building a kiln. The kiln is enclosed and low. It uses sawdust mixed with buffalo hide glue. Small pieces burn under an angled pot. This creates a humid environment needed to create quỳ. Gold must be beaten thinly and evenly. It must not tear. A slight lapse in attention can cause the hammer to strike a finger. One chỉ of gold can be beaten into 980 leaves. These leaves have a total area larger than 1m2 per km2. Kiêu Kỵ remains the only village in the country that specializes in producing gold quỳ. Besides gold gilding Kiêu Kỵ is now famous for its leather sewing trade.
The commune’s economy grows at an average rate of 14% per year. Industry accounts for 58.65%. Services and trade account for 12.16%. Agriculture accounts for 29.19%. Currently Kiêu Kỵ focuses on planning land areas. It also improves its transport system. This attracts domestic and foreign investors. It aims to build and develop industrial zones. It also wants to create trade centers and entertainment areas.
Kiêu Kỵ has produced national heroes. Nguyễn Chế Nghĩa was a general during the Trần Dynasty. He fought bravely against the Mongol invaders in 1288. Nguyễn Quý Trị earned the Hường Cống degree. He was an official in the Ministry of War during the reign of King Lê Hiển Tông. While on a mission to China he learned the gold gilding craft. He then passed this skill on to the villagers. He is honored as the craft’s founder. Every year on the 17th day of the eighth lunar month people hold a ceremony for him. Nguyễn Sơn also known as Vũ Nguyên Bác joined the revolution in 1926.
Xã Kiêu Kỵ lies on provincial road 179. The Hanoi–Haiphong expressway runs through the commune. A road connects Bát Tràng to Như Quỳnh town. Roads also run through the Vinhomes Ocean Park urban area. Buses like the 47B and 69 pass through the commune.
Today Xã Kiêu Kỵ is transforming. It balances tradition with modernization. It honors its heroes. It strives for a prosperous future.