Van Phuc Silk Village

Ha Dong Silk Village, located in Van Phuc ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi City, is a must-visit destination when coming to the thousand-year-old capital city.

Silk products from Van Phuc - Ha Dong. Photo: Thanh Phuong

Right at the village gate, a pristine gray-white rock nestles beneath the canopy of ancient trees, bearing the inscription "Van Phuc Silk Village" in soft, flowing lines like delicate silk ribbons. Along the main road and side streets, colorful kites and umbrellas adorn the landscape, while numerous beautifully arranged silk reels offer a panoramic view of this historically significant craft village…

Famous craft villages

Holding her daughter's hand as they walked along the paths lined with umbrellas and kites, Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Minh from Nam Dinh confided: "When we were in school, we remembered the famous folk verse: 'Nga Son mats, Bat Trang bricks / Nam Dinh silk fabric, Ha Dong silk.' After graduating and going on business trips, I often visited the silk village and bought many products for myself, my daughter, and my family."

According to the People's Committee of Van Phuc Ward, at the end of 2023, Van Phuc silk village held the Van Phuc Silk Weaving Village Culture, Tourism , and Trade Week (from October 26th to November 2nd, 2023). This was a practical activity to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Van Phuc Ward (October 30th, 2003 - October 30th, 2023). With the theme "Van Phuc - Colors of Integration," Van Phuc silk weaving village in Ha Dong attracted a large number of domestic and international tourists to experience, visit, admire, and purchase silk products.

Tourists flock to the streets of Van Phuc silk village.

According to historical documents and accounts from many elderly people, the Van Phuc silk village was formerly called Van Bao. Due to the taboo against using the name of the Nguyen dynasty, the village was renamed Van Phuc. In 1931, Van Phuc silk was first promoted to the international market at the Marseille fair and was considered by the French to be one of the most exquisite and beautiful silks in Indochina. By 1958, Van Phuc silk was exported to Eastern European countries, and today, Van Phuc silk from Ha Dong is popular in many countries around the world .

Despite the many changes throughout history, Van Phuc silk has retained its traditional beauty and is currently a leader in the Vietnamese textile industry. Van Phuc silk is always highly regarded for its beauty and durability, thanks to its diverse patterns, balanced decorations, and elegant, simple lines that convey a sense of decisiveness and freedom to the viewer and user.

Linking products with tourism development.

With over a thousand years of history, Van Phuc silk village has witnessed many ups and downs, but with a love for the traditional craft, many artisans in the village still diligently and creatively strive to create new silk designs that suit market demands. This diversity of product designs is also linked to the development of traditional tourism.

On average, Van Phuc silk village produces about 2.5-3 million meters of various types of silk annually. Van Phuc silk village has also become one of the famous tourist destinations in Hanoi. According to Mr. Pham Khac Ha, Chairman of the Van Phuc Craft Village Association, traditional silk products combined with modern techniques and linked to sustainable tourism development are the main direction of the association's members as well as the local people.

“Besides developing products, the craft village has also created an attractive tourist landscape, providing a green, airy, and environmentally friendly space. Households opening shops on Silk Street must register their stalls with the City Department of Tourism to meet standards regarding prices and product origin, ensuring the quality of goods for consumers,” Mr. Ha emphasized.

The gate and stone slabs leading into Van Phuc silk village.

Van Phuc is one of the most famous silk weaving villages in Vietnam, boasting an ancient beauty and renowned for its high-quality silk products. It also features many attractive "Instagrammable" spots that draw young people and tourists alike. The village has been recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records as the oldest continuously operating silk weaving village, a record awarded by the Vietnam Book of Records Center.

Artisan Nguyen Thi Hue, who has been involved in silk weaving for over 30 years, said: “Van Phuc silk products still use natural materials, so they are both lustrous and soft, far different from other silk products on the market. To meet the needs and tastes of consumers, nowadays, Van Phuc silk products are more diverse in types, designs, and styles.”

Artisan Nguyen Thi Hue added that the process of making a Van Phuc silk product has a long history and adheres to all procedures, making Van Phuc silk products unique in terms of material, price, and market popularity. Therefore, for the Van Phuc silk weaving village to develop to its full potential and become an attractive tourist destination, many issues need to be improved. These include better control over the origin of products, from raw materials to production and finished products, to prevent the sale of counterfeit goods. Emphasis should also be placed on training business owners, sales staff, and consultants so that tourists can both admire traditional products and be impressed by a thousand-year-old craft village, making them want to return again.

Bich Thuan

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202404/lang-lua-van-phuc-3df53c8/