Noong De craft village

(Baonghean) - Noong De Village, Nam Can Commune (Ky Son) is located about 10 km east of Nam Can International Border Gate and about 10 km west of Muong Xen Town. Nestled along National Highway 7A and halfway up the Truong Son mountain range, Noong De leaves an impression on those who have had the opportunity to pass by with its stilt houses looming on the mountainside, and the colors of brocade...

The village is home to 113 Thai ethnic families. For generations, the Noong De people have lived off the mountains and forests, mainly by slash-and-burn farming. The women also weave brocade, a traditional craft that bears the Thai ethnic identity.

The brocade weaving profession was once thought to be in danger of disappearing due to the invasion of industrial textile products, but the Noong De people were determined to preserve the profession left by their ancestors, the previous generation passed the profession to the next generation, no one dared to throw away the loom from the porch. In recent years, some brocade weaving products have tended to return to assert their position, especially for women in the mountains and highlands.

Brocade weaving products of Noong De women

Thanks to that, the products of Noong De women have more opportunities to expand the consumption market and affirm their brand. The women established the Brocade Weaving Cooperative and elected Ms. Luong Thi Van, Head of the Women's Association of the village, as the Chairwoman. Up to now, the whole village has about 100 households engaged in brocade weaving and brought in a significant source of income, contributing to improving family life. In 2011, the people of Noong De were extremely happy and excited to receive the title of Brocade Weaving Village.

Brocade weaving products (dresses, shirts, scarves, bags, wallets, belts) of Noong De women are always favored by customers near and far because of their good quality, rich designs, sophisticated decorative patterns and harmonious color combinations...HandThe women's profession is increasingly improved, there are businesses in Hanoi that bring raw materials and sample designs to the place for the women to weave. But the concern about the brocade weaving profession in Noong De is that the consumption market is still quite limited, only stopping in Ky Son district and a few neighboring districts, a few sell to tourists.

Besides, although it has been recognized as a craft village, Noong De village still does not have a centralized production workshop and product display. Meanwhile, the village is not far from Nam Can International Border Gate, and is located next to a strategic route for economic exchange and tourism and service development; many tourists passing by want to stop to choose some products as souvenirs and gifts for relatives and friends, but there is no display booth so they have to pass by.

Ms. Luong Thi Van, Head of Noong De Brocade Weaving Cooperative, shared: "If the superior agencies support opening a weaving workshop and displaying products right in the village and near Nam Can International Border Gate, consumption will be easier, output will be more stable and women will be able to make a living from their profession. From there, it will contribute to preserving and promoting the national cultural identity."

Tuong Anh