Preserving the soul of Da Lat embroidery

Although originating in Hue and some provinces and cities in the northern region, the art of hand embroidery has flourished in Da Lat. This success is due to the contributions of many artisans and embroiderers, among whom the artist Huu Hanh deserves special mention.

Báo Quân đội Nhân dân•18/12/2025

Artist Huu Hanh, whose real name is Nguyen Thi Huu Hanh, is 68 years old and lives at 10 Truong Cong Dinh Street, Xuan Huong Ward, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province. Born and raised in Da Lat, Hanh was taught embroidery by her mother and artisans from Ha Dong ( Hanoi ) from a young age. Intelligent and quick-witted, she quickly mastered embroidery techniques and created works based on her vivid imagination.

In the 1980s, Da Lat established a cooperative for embroidery. “The pansy flower was the first piece I embroidered to enter the cooperative's competition, and it was selected. At that time, I was simply overjoyed because the flowers on the fabric seemed to come alive under my hands, and that's how I've been dedicated to the craft ever since,” recalls artisan Huu Hanh.

Artisan Huu Hanh is passing on her embroidery skills to her apprentices.

In the years that followed, embroidery in Da Lat developed rapidly. However, most products remained monotonous. Thanks to skillful techniques, natural color combinations, and creative designs on various themes, not just traditional patterns, Huu Hanh's paintings showcased their own unique style, establishing a strong position in the market.

From traditional embroidery, artisan Huu Hanh pioneered the application of embroidery techniques to fine arts and painting, creating a modern style of hand embroidery such as double-sided embroidery, raised embroidery, and 3D embroidery. Accordingly, each work is a product of creative ideas, themes, and embroidery techniques; the harmony of colors and light is created from colored threads with skillful techniques, bringing viewers visual satisfaction and emotional uplift.

These flowers only "bloom" on the embroidery hands of artisan Huu Hanh.

With her tireless dedication, artisan Huu Hanh has contributed to "elevating" the embroidery craft, transforming it into a highly artistic and creative activity, a unique cultural feature of Da Lat. From a skilled embroiderer, Nguyen Thi Huu Hanh became the director of Huu Hanh Handicraft and Applied Arts Co., Ltd., specializing in the production of embroidered paintings and other embroidered products. She has received many prestigious awards, including: the "Golden Hand" award twice (in 1997 and 2001); the "Golden Star of Vietnam" award in 2003; the "Blue Ribbon" award in 2010 (for people with disabilities); and the "Golden Rose" award in 2012. In 2016, artisan Huu Hanh was honored to be awarded the title of "Outstanding Artisan" by the President of Vietnam .

A work by Huu Hanh Handicrafts and Applied Arts Co., Ltd.

Nowadays, with the emergence of industrial embroidery machines, the market is gradually shrinking, and unique embroidered paintings are facing pressure from mass-produced industrial products. However, artisan Huu Hanh remains steadfast in her craft and continues to teach it to apprentices who share her love for hand embroidery. For her, this is also a way to live with her love and keep the art of hand embroidery in Da Lat alive for generations to come.

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/giu-hon-tranh-theu-da-lat-1017314