Instead of resting on their past glory, the artisans here are undertaking a silent but decisive revolution. It's a journey to solve a dual problem: How to preserve the core values of their ancestors while simultaneously developing and elevating their products so that Van Phuc silk not only thrives domestically but also proudly steps onto the world stage as a member of the Global Creative Cities Network.
Conservation does not mean standing still.
The story of Van Phuc's preservation doesn't begin with empty theories, but with the struggle for survival of the weavers themselves.
Speaking with a reporter from the Vietnam Law Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Chairman of the Van Phuc Silk Weaving Village Association, said that the village's history spans over 1000 years, but the most challenging period was the early 1990s. At that time, the collapse of the Eastern European market forced thousands of looms into disuse. The risk of extinction was imminent as demand stagnated and the weavers were left in a state of uncertainty.
It was during that dark moment that the conservation mindset of the people of Van Phuc underwent a pivotal transformation. They realized that to preserve their craft, they first had to be able to make a living from it. Conservation did not mean clinging stubbornly to outdated and backward methods. The change began with a shift from a centralized, subsidized production model to a self-sufficient household model, culminating in a revolution in tools and equipment.
Mr. Hung shared that, in the past, the elderly weavers used manual methods, pedaling with their feet and using shuttles, resulting in low productivity and taking a toll on the workers' health. To preserve the workforce, the craft village has boldly "mechanized" the industry. Electric motors have been introduced to replace manual labor, and the machinery has been improved to automatically shut off when the thread breaks.
This change did not diminish the exquisite craftsmanship in the pattern-making process, but it freed up labor, allowing weavers to operate multiple machines simultaneously, thus greatly increasing productivity and silk quality. This was a strategic step to enable the weaving industry to compete in terms of price and quality in the new context.
Speaking to a reporter from the Vietnam Law Newspaper, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phu, an artisan in Van Phuc silk village, said that at the age of 71, she clearly feels the positive changes that science and technology have brought to the traditional weaving craft in Van Phuc. While in the past, her ancestors had to work entirely by hand, constantly moving their hands and working day and night to get their goods to Hang Dao Street to sell and exchange for silk, things are now different.
The advent of modern electric machinery has significantly reduced the workload for the workers, while also dramatically increasing productivity. She shared that the silk raw materials from the factory now have a much higher precision and quality compared to the silk of the past, resulting in silk fabrics that are both beautiful and of guaranteed quality.
Thanks to this support, an elderly person like her now only needs to work about 6 to 7 hours a day, while younger workers can work 9 to 10 hours depending on demand, but overall the labor time to produce a product has been shortened and is much less strenuous than in the past.
The human resources bottleneck and the strategy of "keeping the flame alive" for the next generation.
No matter how modern the machinery, it cannot completely replace human labor, especially in a craft requiring such finesse as silk weaving. The most difficult preservation challenge that Mr. Hung and other veteran artisans are currently facing is the shortage of successors. The younger generation in Van Phuc today, having received a formal education, tends to want to leave their village to seek freedom and attractive income in outside agencies and businesses, rather than spending 10 hours a day at a noisy and dusty loom.
Recognizing that the traditional craft would disappear without young people, the Village Craft Association has identified the key to developing the craft village as increasing the economic value of its products. Only when income from weaving is higher than or equal to that of office work will young people feel secure returning to continue the craft. To achieve this, Van Phuc has transformed from simply selling silk by the meter to a fashion-oriented economic mindset.
Instead of simply rolling up the finished silk fabric and waiting for buyers as in the old days, today, Van Phuc silk is crafted into high-end, practical products. Elegant vests, stylish ties, scarves, handbags, wallets... with diverse designs, are now produced right here in the village.
This innovation has breathed new life into traditional products, significantly increasing their commercial value. In fact, as the economic "pie" grows larger, many families have successfully encouraged their children to stay, using their acquired knowledge to manage, run, and develop their ancestors' trades. This is the most sustainable way to preserve: preservation through economic benefits coupled with family pride.
Ms. Phu also expressed optimism about the succession of the younger generation in the craft village, as they are striving to continue and develop the silk weaving craft that their ancestors have passed down for so many years.
Brand identification - A "shield" against the storm of counterfeit goods.
Another important aspect of conservation efforts in Van Phuc is the fight to protect the brand from the encroachment of counterfeit, imitation, and cheap industrial goods.
In the digital age, a meticulously crafted pattern created by an artisan this morning can be copied exactly by industrial workshops the very next afternoon with the help of computers and modern weaving machines. This not only causes economic damage but also erodes the reputation of Van Phuc silk.
To enhance brand value and protect consumer rights, producers in Van Phuc have implemented drastic measures to "identify" their products.
Mr. Hung said that many household owners have designed patterns and woven their names directly onto the fabric edges. Inscriptions like "Van Phuc,"... appearing on each meter of silk are a strong affirmation of its origin. While acknowledging that it's impossible to completely prevent counterfeiting, this is an effort to increase transparency, helping customers distinguish genuine Van Phuc silk from counterfeit products, thereby preserving market trust in the village's traditional craft brand.
Planning vision and international standing
The preservation and promotion of the value of Van Phuc craft village is facing an unprecedented opportunity thanks to systematic investment from the government and international recognition. No longer a spontaneous and fragmented development, Van Phuc is now included in a comprehensive plan with a long-term vision.
"An investment project with a total capital of over one trillion VND, expected to be implemented in the period 2026-2030, promises to 'transform' the face of the craft village," Mr. Hung said.
The infrastructure will be upgraded comprehensively, from large-scale parking lots capable of accommodating international tourist groups, to the complete undergrounding of the power lines, paving of sidewalks, and landscaping improvements.
The goal is to transform Van Phuc into a modern cultural, tourism, and commercial space that still retains its rich cultural identity. The close integration of production and tourism is proving to be the right direction, turning the craft village into a "living museum." Visitors come here not only to buy silk, but also to experience it firsthand, to see the weaving process and feel the essence of the craft.
In particular, Van Phuc's status has been elevated to a new level with its official membership in the World Creative Cities Network. Along with Bat Trang, Van Phuc is one of only two representatives from Vietnam to be part of this prestigious organization.
This is international recognition of the creativity and conservation efforts of the people of Van Phuc. This title has become a powerful "passport," attracting numerous international delegations and diplomatic missions to visit and work, opening up opportunities for trade and promoting Vietnamese culture globally.
The journey of preserving and promoting the Van Phuc silk weaving village is a long and arduous one, but also one filled with glory. From difficulties that seemed to threaten the village's survival, Van Phuc has risen strongly through dynamism, creativity, and a burning passion for the craft.
However, for that flame to continue burning brightly, in addition to the self-effort of the villagers, the cooperation of the community is essential.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hung's call to "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods" is not just a desire for sales figures, but a plea for national pride, the most practical way to support the weaving looms along the river.
This article was written in collaboration with the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/khat-vong-vuon-minh-ra-bien-lon-cua-lang-lua-van-phuc.html
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