Basket weaving - A unique traditional craft of Khmer women in Soc Trang

From a fading traditional craft village in Phu Tan commune (Chau Thanh district, Soc Trang province), Ms. Truong Thi Bach Thuy has breathed new life into the traditional weaving craft of the Khmer people. Through her creativity, she has helped bamboo and rattan products reach a wider market and create sustainable economic value for local women.

Phuoc Quoi hamlet (Phu Tan commune) has long been famous for its rattan and bamboo weaving craft, a unique cultural feature of the Khmer people. Simple yet durable products like baskets, sieves, and winnowing trays were once indispensable items in every household. However, with the development of society and the emergence of cheap industrial products, the traditional weaving craft is gradually losing its prominence. Young people are no longer interested, and the number of older artisans is dwindling, putting the village craft at risk of extinction.

Born and raised in a family with a long tradition of bamboo craftsmanship, Ms. Truong Thi Bach Thuy developed a deep love for bamboo and the cultural values ​​it represents. Witnessing the decline of the traditional craft village, she always felt a pang of sadness. "Since I was little, I've been connected to bamboo. Seeing my ancestors' craft gradually disappear, I feel deeply saddened. I thought I had to do something to preserve this beauty, so that future generations would still know about it," Ms. Thuy shared.

With that in mind, Ms. Thuy not only inherited the exquisite weaving techniques of previous generations but also constantly explored and innovated to refresh the products. She realized that, in order to survive and thrive, traditional products needed a "new breath," suitable for modern tastes.

Utilizing readily available local resources, she skillfully combined traditional weaving techniques with diverse and sophisticated designs. Under her talented hands and those of the women in the village, lifeless bamboo and rattan plants were transformed into unique and valuable handicrafts such as fashionable handbags, storage boxes, tea trays, and decorative lamps. Each product is not only durable and beautiful but also carries within it a story about the culture and dedication of the artisan.

Ms. Thuy's innovations were quickly embraced by the market. Her products were not only sold within the province but also reached many major markets nationwide, receiving high praise from customers for their aesthetics and environmental friendliness.

More importantly, her model has created stable jobs for many Khmer women in Phuoc Quoi hamlet. She opens vocational training classes, diligently guiding and sharing her experience, helping women earn extra income, improve their lives, and together preserve the traditional crafts of their ethnic group. Her establishment has become a support system where Khmer women can develop their skills, become economically independent, and be proud of their cultural identity.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/trai-nghiem-dan-dat-nghe-truyen-thong-doc-dao-cua-phu-nu-khmer-o-soc-trang-20250613002935967.htm