The network, which was supported by the Japanese non-governmental organisation Foundation for International Development/Relief (FIDR) and funded by the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), helped link 17 weaving teams from seven ethnic groups including Xo Dang, Ba Na, Ta Oi, Co Tu and Ma from five provinces in Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Kon Tum and Dak Nong since 2001.

Illustrative image.

FIDR started working with Co Tu weaving group in Zo Ra village of Nam Giang district in the central province of Quang Nam 18 years ago before building a weaving house in 2004.

It’s also the first weaving co-operative established with 40 members and the group’s product had been exported to Australia.

Last year, the village’s product was selected as gift by the provincial People’s Committee for diplomats and visitors.

Nobuko Otsuki, FIDR’s representative in Vietnam, said over the past 10 years, she has recognised the beauty and uniqueness of brocade among the ethnic groups.

She said the project aims to help preserve the trade by recovering production through community-based tourism. She suggested the brocade villages should diversify products with more designs.

Sumiko Iguchi, a tourist from Japan, spent five days learning how to weave from the Co Tu ethnic group in Hoa Bac commune, Da Nang city. Although she said she had weaved before in Japan, this style was new to Sumiko because of the different looms used.

Some community-based tourism destinations were built at Ta Bhing commune; Bho Hoong and Dhroong villages, Ta Lu commune in Quang Nam province; Ta Lang village in Da Nang city in boosting the brocade trade.

Products include scarves, mattress covers, wallets, table cloths and bags with unique patterns and natural dyes.

Brocade weaving has been revived through tourism promotion among ethnic groups of Co Tu in Da Nang; A Dot village in Thua Thien-Hue, A Ting, La Ee and Cho Chun in Quang Nam; Dak Ro Wa in Dak Nong with more than 300 weavers.

In 2017, Co Tu community in Zo Ra village earned more than 40,000 USD from tourism including sales of brocade and hand-made products.

Festival honours Vietnam’s traditional silk, brocade weaving

The 5th Vietnam-International Silk and Brocade Festival will take place in Hoi An ancient city, the central province of Quang Nam, from August 7-9, aiming to introduce and honour Vietnam’s traditional silk and brocade weaving.

Vietnamese brocade, silk introduced in RoK

Brocade and silk products made by Vietnam’s northern craft villages are being displayed at an exhibition that opened in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (RoK), on July 18. 

Ao Dai collection of young Tay ethnic designer introduced at brocade festival

A collection of Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress) by young Tay ethnic fashion designer, Vu Thao Giang, gained great admiration from visitors at the Brocade Culture Festival in Dak Nong province.

Brocade carnival in Dak Nong lures over 2,000 artists

A carnival themed “Con duong tho cam” (Brocade road) took place in Gia Nghia town, the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong on January 16. 

Vietnamese, Indonesian artisans present traditional batik, brocade art

Artisans from Vietnam and Indonesia have shared experience during the ‘Cultural Exchange through Batik and Brocade Weaving’ held in Buon Ma Thuot city, the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak.

Source: VNA