To bring Vietnamese silk far and wide

However, in the wave of integration and industrialization, silk - a delicate symbol of Vietnamese culture - is facing many big challenges, being competed by low-quality synthetic silk products (fake silk).

Real silk, fake silk confusion

Real silk from natural silk is soft, cool, and shiny the more you wear it thanks to the protein in the silk fibers. Meanwhile, fake silk is mixed with polyester, has an artificially shiny surface, wrinkles easily, is stuffy, and causes itching when worn for a long time. According to feedback from consumers and travel groups discussing on social networks, many tourists have "stumbled" on synthetic silk labeled "silk", leading to disappointment in traditional Vietnamese products.

Ms. Truong Oanh, founder of the Van Nha silk brand (Nha Xa silk village, Ha Nam ), shared: "There are many types of low-quality mixed fabrics on the market, labeled as silk, causing confusion and damaging the image of Vietnamese silk - a proud traditional product."

Để tơ lụa Việt đi xa- Ảnh 1. — A printed silk product of Van Nha brand is very popular with tourists.

Ms. Tran Yen, CEO of Ma Chau Silk (Duy Xuyen, Quang Nam ), said: "Fake silk does not contain silk fibers. Consumers often understand "silk" as synonymous with "silk", leading to many misunderstandings and creating loopholes for units to take advantage of and turn regular goods into high-end goods."

"Silk requires high technique, solid skills, experience and meticulousness in each stage. However, the number of skilled workers is not many, this difficulty makes many establishments choose the easier way: using synthetic blends, cheap, easy to deceive the eye", Ms. Truong Oanh analyzed.

Each piece of silk sold is a cultural slice that is extended - by silk, by the passion and perseverance of the craftsman.

Ms. Tran Yen (CEO of Ma Chau Silk)

In addition, brand representatives emphasized that the lack of popularization of the system of certification, inspection, traceability, and certification of natural silk also makes it difficult for buyers, especially tourists, to check the origin of the fabric. This is an issue that deserves attention from management agencies to protect Vietnamese silk.

Cultural Slices in Brand Story

Ms. Truong Oanh proudly said: "Anyone who has ever touched silk finds it hard to resist its charm. Once worn, feeling the beauty, coolness, and softness, it is very difficult to switch to other fabrics." To ensure the quality of the brand, she built her own supply chain. She also invested in natural dyeing, anti-wrinkle and anti-mold technology, bringing the product closer to modern life. "Making a large chain is easy to make quick profits, but developing manually and maintaining the original identity will go a long way," Ms. Truong Oanh said.

Ms. Tran Yen shared: "Ma Chau silk has been in decline for many years. Now that young people and tourists are interested in natural, environmentally friendly materials, it is truly an opportunity for Vietnamese silk to regain its footing."

Để tơ lụa Việt đi xa- Ảnh 2. — Ma Chau silk is applied to modern fashion products.

"The domestic market still prioritizes low prices, many people do not yet recognize the value of handmade silk. We have to tell the cultural story - from the loom, silk thread to the hands of the artisans so that customers can understand and love the product more," Ms. Tran Yen added.

Ma Chau Silk has a special advantage in being located near the ancient town of Hoi An, a major tourist destination where visitors seek authentic handmade experiences. But turning that advantage into success requires persistent efforts to preserve the craft and anticipate new tastes. Ms. Yen said: "Each piece of silk sold is an extension of the culture - through silk, passion and perseverance of the craftsmen."

Mr. Huynh Tan Phuoc, Chairman of Viet Nam Silk House, Director of Nhat Minh Silk Company Limited, specifically advised: "If you love silk, consumers can equip themselves with more knowledge to distinguish between real and fake. When touching it, it feels cool, soft, smooth, when burning, the fabric fibers do not catch fire, the ash dissolves when squeezed, the smoke smells like burning hair, it is real silk. Fake silk burns quickly, leaving plastic residue, a burning chemical smell...".

Để tơ lụa Việt đi xa- Ảnh 3. — An introduction and silk reeling experience at Ma Chau silk village

"For craft villages and silk brands, the best way to protect the value of real silk is to build reputation based on quality and trust," Mr. Phuoc emphasized.

According to Mr. Huynh Tan Phuoc, for Vietnamese silk to go far, it is necessary to develop based on traditional culture combined with technological innovation and quality improvement. Brand representatives also agreed that building a sustainable Vietnamese silk brand requires transparency in traceability, a clear certification system, telling the story of craft village culture through design, promoting digital transformation and being present on e-commerce and social networks - where young consumers and tourists dominate.

According to research by Maximize Market Research and Mordor Intelligence, the global silk market is expanding strongly, with an expected value of nearly 19 - 38 billion USD by the end of this decade. Consumer trends are increasingly leaning towards sustainable, natural and exquisitely crafted products. This boosts the value of real silk. Vietnam currently ranks fourth in the world in overall silk production (after China, India, Uzbekistan). According to data from projects and reports of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and related associations and industries, Vietnam is striving to double its silk output in the next 10 years. At the same time, Vietnamese lotus silk - a high-end and extremely environmentally friendly silk - has risen to the top of the world, opening up great opportunities in the super-premium segment.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/de-to-lua-viet-di-xa-185250625192600061.htm