Once famous for its brocade, local authorities are now fighting to preserve the dying art of weaving in Nghia An Commune in the northern province of Yen Bai.
Not long ago, almost every girl in the village knew how to work a loom, but imports of Chinese cloth have led to the virtual extinction of the traditional cottage industry.
However, the local authorities have stepped in to help revive the centuries old handicraft.
Since the Nghia An authority set up a weaving team, which is funded by Yen Bai’s Tourism-Commerce Department, many foreign and domestic visitors have started coming to Nghia An, said Hoang Thi Duoc, the vice president of the commune’s Women’s Union.
Visitors enjoy watching weavers work their looms, and welcome the chance to buy beautifully made brocade, Duoc said.
The local authorities have provided the village with 12 looms on which local women weave handkerchiefs, pillow cases and bedspreads — ranging in price from VND12,000 to VND30,000.
It is hard work and incomes are small — each woman can expect to earn around VND15,000 a day, but scheme has helped revive the traditional art of weaving and brought a measure of prosperity to the village.
Reviving the lost art of brocade weaving — VietNamNet Bridge