Best-known Traditional Embroidery Villages

Centuries ago, various Kinh villages in Vietnam began to specialize in embroidery. Famous embroidery villages are found in Bac Ninh, Hai Duong and Ha Tay provinces. In the past, these villages served Vietnam’s royal court. Today, they produce souvenirs and linens for export. In highland areas, ethnic minority women produce traditional brocade, which is now popular with tourists. ViB Forum would like to introduce some of Vietnam’s best known embroidery and brocade making villages.

 

Van Lam village lies in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. Historical records claim that the embroidery trade took root here more than 700 years ago, begun by a Tran Dynasty general, Do Cong Hau. From traditional multi-coloured lace-embroidery, the villagers have moved to making white-lace embroidery for export. They produce covers, pillowcases, napkin sets, window blinds and kimonos. More than 830 families are reportedly involved in this trade in Van Lam village.

 

Embroidered paintings are a specialty of Minh Lang ward, Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province. Made by hand, these intricate artworks are sold in Vietnam and abroad. Landscapes and scenes of rural life in Vietnam’s northern delta are especially popular.

 

Old-fashioned woven Cham brocade is still produced in Chau Giang, Tan Chau commune, An Giang province. This brightly coloured cloth features bold lines and patterns, and is used to make sarongs, scarves, hats and coats. Both local and foreign buyers like the bold colours.

 

The city of Hue, home to the 19^th century Nguyen Dynasty, is home to many skilled embroiderers. Craftspeople from Quat Dong and Bac Ha settled here to produce wares for the royal court. Today, Hue remains a fine place to find traditionally-dyed silk threads and embroidered paintings.

 

Situated in the mountainous province of Lao Cai, the town of Sa Pa is famous as a tourist attraction. Ethnic minority people around Sa Pa produce a variety of handmade brocade fabrics, which feature different colours and images of animals and foliage. Ta Phin, a village where H’Mong and Dao residents weave traditional brocade, lies about 17km east of Sa Pa.

 

With recent assistance from Craft Link organization, weavers in Ta Phin have increased their income. Craft Link has provided ethnic women with training in tailoring, bookkeeping and management. These women are quickly gaining a reputation for producing some of the finest handicrafts in the province. Handicrafts and brocade products can be bought in the markets in Sa Pa town and some places in Hanoi.