Tay Nghe craft villages reach out to the world

BAMBOO AND RATHAN WOVEN PRODUCTS FROM BAN DIEM EXPORTED ABROAD

Members of the Diem bamboo and rattan weaving cooperative weave products according to orders. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Nestled in the middle of the forest, Diem village (Chau Khe commune, Con Cuong) has 153 Thai and Dan Lai households living there. With little arable land, people mainly rely on the forest, rattan and meter trees. Weaving has existed since ancient times and is a traditional occupation of the Thai people here. In the past, people mainly wove items for daily life such as baskets, trays, trays, and trays... In modern life, these items made from rattan and bamboo have gradually been replaced by plastic. The weaving profession of Diem village has gone through many ups and downs, sometimes being lost and facing the risk of being wiped out.

In 2016, carry out the restoration and development of traditional occupations and craft villages,Diem bamboo and rattan cooperativewas established. This is the step marking the recovery and strong development of this traditional craft village. From the skillful hands, creating quality, beautiful products of artisans, the weaving products of Ban Diem craft village gradually affirmed their position in the market. Traditional handicraft products of Ban Diem craft village are present at major trade fairs, exhibitions... and are known by many people.

Bamboo and rattan products from Ban Diem have improved their designs, aiming at products with high applicability in life. Photo: Thanh Phuc

In addition to products with traditional items, the Diem bamboo and rattan cooperative has created many high-quality handmade products. Fruit and cake plates with various shapes and patterns; pen boxes, lovely handbags are made from rattan and woven yarn, dyed with natural colors and patterns that are the crystallization of traditional Thai culture, very suitable for the green consumption trend in the world.

In 2018, orders from foreign countries such as Germany, France, Japan, etc. came to the people of Diem village. Every month, there were 5-7 orders with hundreds of exported products, bringing a good income to the villagers, helping them feel secure in their profession.

Ms. Lang Thi Hoa - Director of the Diem bamboo and rattan cooperative shared: “Export orders have a value 3-4 times higher than other orders. Therefore, the income of members of the cooperative is also higher and more stable, helping people to be more attached to the profession. What is more proud is that through this consumption channel, the traditional craft village and cultural identity of the Thai people of Con Cuong are known to other countries”.

Natural materials, natural dyeing and completely handmade weaving have created the difference of Diem village's rattan and bamboo products. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Every day, taking advantage of the free time, under the sturdy stilt houses, the women, mothers and sisters of Diem village still diligently weave rattan and bamboo products, still passionately create, bring the quintessence of culture, bring the beauty of daily life into rattan and bamboo products, still diligently split bamboo strips, split rattan, boil water to dye, dry rattan and bamboo products. And, with million-dollar orders from France, Germany and Japan, rattan and bamboo products are exported, bringing prosperity to the people of Diem village.

BROCADE CONQUERS EUROPE

Hoa Tien brocade is unique in material, color and pattern. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Born more than 100 years ago,Hoa Tien versionis considered the most famous and oldest brocade weaving cradle of the Thai people in Nghe An. The brocade fabric of Hoa Tien craft village is popular thanks to its characteristic patterns, dyed with natural materials such as young mud, eclipta prostrata, red phăng tree bark, turmeric, lime-rot leaves, hom leaves, velvet leaves, and almond leaves...

With the passage of time and the development of modern life, brocade products have gradually faded away in the face of industrial garment products. At one point, Hoa Tien brocade weaving village was at risk of being “erased”. With the goal of restoring, preserving and maintaining the cultural values ​​of Hoa Tien brocade, in 2010, Hoa Tien Brocade Weaving Village Cooperative was established.

Introducing Hoa Tien brocade products to foreign customers. Photo: Thanh Phuc

From small-scale production households with unstable markets, with the support of local authorities, households have linked up and supported each other in production.

To expand the market, cooperative members have researched, explored and created products that suit consumer tastes: modern handbags, wallets, shoes, sandals, stuffed animals, pillowcases, scarves, tablecloths, etc.

Besidespreserving brocade productionBy natural methods, artisans in the cooperative also research and experiment with sophisticated patterns and diverse colors.

Currently, Hoa Tien brocade is woven into products with modern designs, suitable for market needs such as: shoes, ao dai, handbags, stuffed animals... Photo: Thanh Phuc

Ms. Sam Thi Tinh, in charge of business and marketing of Hoa Tien Brocade Craft Village Cooperative, said: “To survive and develop, for members of the cooperative to make a living from their profession, finding a consumer market is a prerequisite. Therefore, on the one hand, we need to change our production mindset, create highly applicable products with modern designs; on the other hand, we need to promote and promote trade, and apply e-commerce to product consumption. Thanks to that, the cooperative's brocade products are known to domestic and foreign customers.”

In order to widely promote the local traditional brocade craft, Ms. Sam Thi Tinh opened a weaving, embroidery and natural dyeing shop in Hanoi. Photo: NVCC

Currently, in addition to the main facility of Hoa Tien Brocade Cooperative in Chau Tien (Quy Chau), Ms. Tinh has also opened a weaving, embroidery and natural dyeing shop in Hanoi to widely promote the local traditional brocade craft. Thanks to that, Hoa Tien brocade products are not only present in many big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, Sa Pa but also conquer the markets of Laos, Thailand, Germany, France, Australia, Canada, Japan, etc., creating stable jobs for dozens of workers in the craft village with an income of 2-3 million VND/person/month.

Nghe An is a province with strengths in developing craft villages, especially handicrafts. Currently, the whole province has 172 craft villages, including many craft villages with typical products, with export value: Bamboo and rattan weaving, brocade weaving... According to experts, the potential for craft village products is very open, especially when information technology develops, e-commerce platforms explode, creating opportunities for craft village products to expand the market, bringing the brand of craft village products further. Besides, craft village products are also gradually "transforming" with new designs, highly applicable, eye-catching designs that have conquered demanding markets such as: America, Japan, Korea...