HÀ NỘI — Vạn Phúc silk village in Vạn Phúc Ward, Hà Đông District of Hà Nội is one of the most famous craft villages in Việt Nam.

The oldest national silk village, with a thousand-year-old history, still retains the tradition of weaving and preserves significant cultural and historical values.

A traditional craft village

Speaking about Vạn Phúc history Phạm Khắc Hà, chairman of the Vạn Phúc Silk Weaving Village Association proudly said it was Việt Nam's one of the most famous and beautiful silk villages in the world.

During feudal times, Vạn Phúc silk was chosen to make national costumes for the Nguyễn Dynasty kings (1802-1945).

In 1931, for the first time, Vạn Phúc silk was introduced internationally at the Marseille fair and the French considered it one of the most sophisticated and beautiful silk lines of Indochina.

By 1958, the silk was exported to Eastern European countries and today it is still a favoured product for many domestic and foreign consumers.

Vạn Phúc silk is famous for its durability, beauty and softness. That special and unique feature is thanks to the skilled hands and experience of the people of Vạn Phúc.

Over many generations, the artisans have maintained their traditional craft techniques. Patterns are symmetrical, meticulous and sophisticated, while being no less beautiful and durable and are suitable for customers of all tastes. 

The silk weaving process is not much different from the traditional one. Artisans put raw silk on the reel and pull out small cores to hook the loom, they connect it up and start to weave.

While weaving, they skillfully interlace silk threads at right angles to form patterns within the fabric, which will get ever more elaborate and meticulous, before becoming a completed product.

Artisan Trần Thị Ngọc Lan said that within the village, many crafts people have received certificates from the State and the Việt Nam Craft Villages Association.

Among them is Đỗ Văn Hiển, a pattern designer for silk products of the village. Hiển not only restores ancient patterns but also designs new ones.

Designing is also one of the most difficult stages in silk weaving and the variety of designs depends greatly on the skills of those who create them.

According to a report by the People's Committee of Vạn Phúc Ward, there are currently over 100 weaving households in the ward, each year producing 1.2-1.5 million metres fabric of all kinds, earning a revenue of about VNĐ100 billion (US$4 million). 

Currently, Vạn Phúc people weave about 70 types of patterns with different names, such as floral ribbon, dragon and phoenix, flying cloud and cinnamon flower.

In the age of technology, to diversify markets and target exports, many households have applied newer techniques to push their businesses and products today are often uploaded on e-commerce platforms to reach more customers.

With a tradition of more than 1,000 years, the village has been recognised by the Vietnam Record Book Centre as 'The oldest silk weaving village still operating today'.

In 2023, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism placed Vạn Phúc's silk weaving craft on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List and the Hà Nội People's Committee recognised the village as a 'Capital Tourist Destination'.

A tourism village

Located around 10km west of the city centre, Vạn Phúc has, since 2022, been a favourite tourism destination.

Tourists can enjoy two tour routes which will lead them to discover the village.

In addition to the craft village tourists can also visit the local communal houses, pagodas and temples, the President Hồ Chí Minh Memorial House relic, the Vạn Phúc Silk Conservation Centre, an aquarium centre and check-in at a colourful mural path in front of the village communal house yard.

Visitors can take part in workshops located behind the Vạn Phúc silk market to learn about the weaving process and talk with the skilled craftsmen directly, to try their hands at several stages of product production.

"I have been to Vạn Phúc many times. Today, I buy many pants and shirts for my family. Vạn Phúc is famous for its silk so I take this opportunity to silk product as gifts for everyone," said Đinh Thị Dung, a resident from Phúc Thọ District, Hà Nội.

Chairman of the Vạn Phúc Silk Weaving Village Association Hà said: "In addition to product development, we also create tourist landscapes, providing a green, airy, friendly space which is environmentally friendly, to serve visitors.

"In particular, households that open shops on the silk street must register that their stalls meet standards set by the Hà Nội Department of Tourism regarding price and product origin, ensuring the quality of goods on offer to customers."

Hà added that the association and the local government built programmes to promote craft village products.

"To make an impression, households have to produce diverse products with new designs, consistent with trends, contributing to the appeal to tourists come and visit and to shop," he said. VNS

*This article is coordinated by Hà Nội Rural Development Department.