♦ M.A. Pham Thi Phuong

Beneath Saigon’s sun - a sudden breeze stirred

Because of the Ha Dong silk dress you wore

So dearly I love, a shade so refined

Like that silk, my poetry unchanged with time.

(“Ha Dong silk dresses” by Nguyen Sa)

thuongFor a long time, in the minds of Vietnamese people, Ha Dong silk - Van Phuc silk has become a symbol of refinement, skillful craftsmanship, and beauty, closely associated with the ao dai and the grace of Vietnamese women. Located on the gentle banks of the Nhue River, belonging to the former Van Phuc Ward, Ha Dong District (now Ha Dong Ward, Hanoi City), Van Phuc Silk Village has long been the cradle of the most famous silk weaving tradition in Vietnam.

History of Van Phuc silk village

thuongAccording to historical records and folk legends, the silk weaving profession in Van Phuc has a history spanning over 1,000 years, associated with the great merit of Lady A La Thi Nuong, who is honored as the founding ancestor of the weaving trade. She was a kind-hearted, simple person, highly skilled in the loom and weaving craft. She taught the people how to plant mulberries, raise silkworms, and weave fabric, helping the village become prosperous and well-fed.  In memory of her virtuous deeds, the villagers established a temple to worship her, revering her as the Village Tutelary God and the Ancestor of Van Phuc silk weaving. In the past, the village was named Van Bao. Towards the end of the 19th century, due to a naming taboo related to King Thanh Thai, the village was renamed Van Phuc and was merged into the Dai Mo commune, Hoai Duc district, Ha Dong province.

thuongThroughout its historical development, Van Phuc silk not only served the daily needs and attire of the people but also became a product offered as tribute to the royal court, symbolizing luxury and nobility. Under the Nguyen dynasty, Van Phuc silk was chosen to tailor garments for the royal family. By the early 20th century, the village's products were exhibited at international fairs such as Marseille (1931) and Paris (1932), helping to introduce the name of Vietnamese silk to the world.

thuongEnduring the ups and downs of history - wars, economic fluctuations, and the subsidy period - the weaving craft sometimes seemed on the verge of fading away. However, with willpower and a love for the craft, the Van Phuc village community preserved and restored it, bringing traditional silk back to the market and affirming the value of the long-standing cultural heritage. Today, Van Phuc is considered a "living craft village" right in the heart of the capital, continuing its production all while becoming an attractive tourist destination.

The production process and cultural value of Van Phuc silk

thuongThe process of making Van Phuc silk is a delicate combination of technique and art. To create a piece of traditional silk, the artisans must undergo an elaborate and meticulous production process, demanding skill and dedication at every stage: from planting mulberries, raising silkworms, reeling cocoons, reeling/ spinning the silk, selecting silk threads, twisting threads, warping threads, sizing the yarn, weaving the silk, to scouring the fabric, and dyeing.

thuongThe value of Van Phuc silk lies not only in its soft texture, which is cool in summer and warm in winter, but also in its aesthetic beauty: elegant and sophisticated patterns imbued with the Vietnamese spirit. Traditional patterns such as the dragon, phoenix, lotus, and water waves have become distinctive hallmarks. Today, Van Phuc silk products have diversified: from ao dai, scarves, fabrics, to bags, wallets, and souvenirs. The high economic value of the silk has helped improve the livelihoods of the local people, while also affirming the Vietnamese brand in domestic and international markets.

The village’s distinctive cultural heritage

thuongVan Phuc silk village is not only known for its silk products but also as a place that preserves many unique cultural heritages:

thuongTraditional silk weaving craft:  This is the most important tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the village. The weaving techniques, the secrets of selecting silk threads, and the dyeing processes are passed down through generations, creating the distinctive identity of Van Phuc silk. The perseverance, meticulousness, and dedication of the weavers are an indispensable part of this heritage.

thuongAncient village architecture: Van Phuc village still retains many architectural features of a traditional Northern Vietnamese village, with its banyan tree, communal well, communal yard, and ancient houses. The Vạn Phúc village entrance, built of solid red brick, bears a strong mark of time, serving as a rustic yet warm invitation to visitors from all corners of the world.

thuongSystem of communal houses, pagodas and temples: The Van Phuc communal house worships the Village Tutelary God, Lady A Lã Thị Nương - the person credited with teaching the weaving trade. Besides this, there is also the Van Phuc temple, famous for its sanctity and unique architecture of the roofless quan cu (where offerings are prepared). These are important spiritual sites tied to the history and legends of the craft village.

thuongThe village’s traditional festivals: Traditional festivals and folk games organized in Van Phuc Village are occasions for the villagers to express gratitude to the Ancestor of the trade, bond the community, and introduce the craft village's culture to visitors. In particular, the cultural week held annually around November attracts a large number of tourists, creating a bustling and vibrant atmosphere.

thuongFolk artisans and succeeding generations: Van Phuc artisans are the "living treasures" of the village; they not only create products but also preserve and ignite passion in the younger generation. The succession by the children and grandchildren of famous artisans like the families of Trieu Van Mao and Nguyen Thi Tam is evidence of the enduring vitality of this heritage.

thuongVillage culture and community spirit: The cultural color of the craft profession in Van Phuc is deeply ingrained in the emotions and behavior of the Vietnamese people. The Van Phuc people view every strip of silk as the crystallization of heaven and earth, imbued with the hard work and talent of the artisans, and a precious gift from their homeland. With all these values, Van Phuc Village is not just a silk production center but also a "living museum" of the traditional craft culture of the Vietnamese people.

Van Phuc silk village in the context of integration

thuongIn the era of globalization, Van Phuc silk village faces both opportunities and challenges.

thuongOpportunities: A wide open consumer market; international tourists to Hanoi often seeking out Van Phuc to experience the craft village environment; Modern technology supporting product design innovation and the expansion to online sales channels, helping products reach global customers; the government’s interest in heritage preservation and integrating Van Phuc into cultural tours.

thuongChallenges: Fierce competition with low-cost industrial textile products from China and Thailand; The craft village facing the risk of commercialization and losing its identity if it pursues profit while neglecting traditional values; The younger generation of workers being less enthusiastic about continuing the trade due to unstable income, while the number of older artisans gradually declines.

thuongTo adapt in the modern world, Van Phuc has taken significant positive measures: developing craft village tourism, linking the silk weaving experience with culture, cuisine, and art; combining traditional products with modern creativity; and registering the “Van Phuc silk” trademark to protect its reputation in the market. Today, visitors to Van Phuc can tour the craft village; experience the stages of silk making; shop at stalls offering diverse and rich designs and merchandise; take photos under the brilliantly colored umbrella street and many other beautiful scenes of the village; and enjoy the characteristic cuisine of the Red River Delta area. In the future, if it can maintain its traditional essence while applying modern technology and marketing, Van Phuc will not only be a craft village but also a cultural and tourism center, contributing to promoting the image of the capital and the country of Vietnam to the world.

thuongVan Phuc Silk Village is a vivid testament to the longevity of Vietnamese traditional craftsmanship. For over a millennium, the local people have preserved and developed the silk weaving trade, creating products with distinct cultural, aesthetic, and economic value. In the context of integration, Van Phuc faces many challenges while also having great opportunities to affirm its national brand. Preserving and promoting the value of Van Phuc silk is not only the responsibility of the craft village community but also the shared responsibility of society in safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage./.

Village festival at Van Phuc silk village.

Vibrant scenery at Van Phuc silk village

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References

[1]. Chi Chi, Visiting Van Phuc, listening to stories of the silk weaving craft, tuoitrethudo.com.vn, 1-6-2023.

[2]. Nguyen Kien (2001), Van Phuc: Past and Present, Writers’ Association Publishing House.

[3]. Nguyen Thi Thanh Loan, Cultural values of Van Phuc silk village in the development of Hanoi tourism, Culture and Arts Magazine, No. 379, 1-2016.

[4]. Vu Quoc Tuan (2011), Craft villages in the national development process, Tri Thuc Publishing House, Hanoi.

[5]. Truong Sy Tam, Van Phuc developing sustainable tourism, vtr.org.vn, 7-8-2015.

[6]. Tran Quoc Vuong (1996), “Vietnamese traditional crafts and their founding ancestors”, Ethnic Minorities Culture Publishing House.

[7]. Bui Van Vuong (1998), “Vietnamese traditional handicraft villages”, Ethnic Minorities Culture Publishing House.