If you have the chance to visit Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital, few people miss the Nishijin Textile Center – where visitors can admire impressive kimono performances and learn about the weaving process of traditional Japanese clothing.
Visitors to Nishijin not only witness the weaving process but are also guided through a meticulously designed cultural journey, where each thread carries a story of history.
In Vietnam, Van Phuc Silk Village is also gradually embarking on that journey – a journey to become a unique cultural destination where traditional crafts are preserved and retold within the rhythm of contemporary life.
Van Phuc silk was displayed and introduced at the ceremony to receive certification as a member of the World Creative Cities Network, for the Bat Trang pottery village and the Van Phuc silk weaving village. (Photo: Phuong Anh/VNA)
With its rich history, exquisite craftsmanship, and unique advantages as a typical handicraft village, Van Phuc ( Hanoi ) is honored to be one of the first two craft villages in Hanoi to join the World Crafts Cities Network. This is not just an honor, but an opportunity for the village to connect internationally, increase brand value, and develop sustainably on the foundation of its heritage.
The village of Vạn Phúc was formerly known as Trang Vạn Bảo, belonging to Thượng Thanh Oai commune, Thượng Thanh Oai district, Nam Sơn province. At the end of the 19th century, due to the taboo against using the name of King Thành Thái (1889-1906), Bảo Lân, the village changed its name to Vạn Phúc – a name signifying lasting blessings.
Legend has it that the silk weaving craft here has a history of over 1,000 years, originating from Lady A La Thi Nuong - a skillful woman from Cao Bang who, upon marrying into a family, taught the villagers the art of silk weaving. Since then, the sound of the shuttle has become a familiar rhythm of this land on the banks of the Nhue River.
During the Nguyen Dynasty, Ha Dong silk was chosen to make the national costume for the imperial court. In 1931, Van Phuc silk was first introduced at the Marseille Fair (France) and was praised as "the finest silk in Indochina."
From 1958 to 1988, the products were mainly exported to Eastern Europe; since the 1990s, Van Phuc silk has been available in many countries around the world.
Despite the many changes throughout history, the silk weaving craft has persevered. Van Phuc Village has been recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records Center as "the oldest silk weaving village still in operation." In 2023, the Van Phuc silk weaving craft was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Currently, the village has nearly 800 households engaged in this craft, accounting for approximately 60% of the total number of households living there. Each year, the production reaches about 2.5-3 million square meters of fabric, contributing significantly to the local revenue.
When mentioning Van Phuc, one thinks of silk, brocade, satin, and other fine fabrics. Among them, brocade silk is considered the finest. Woven entirely from natural silkworm threads, brocade silk has a gentle, understated yet captivating sheen in the sunlight. The wearer feels warm in winter and cool in summer. The technique of weaving brocade silk requires a high level of skill, involving two complex techniques: thread-weaving and hammock-weaving, which not every family in the village can master.
From traditional motifs such as the five blessings, dragon and cloud, fish gazing at the moon, and floral patterns, the artisans of Van Phuc continue to innovate to adapt to modern tastes. Any changes, if any, are mainly in the improvement of equipment, while the spirit of the traditional craft remains intact.
Foreign tourists view products at the exhibition booth of Van Phuc silk village. (Photo: Khanh Hoa/VNA)
Today, Van Phuc is not only a production center but also a familiar stop on Hanoi's craft village tours.
Unlike in the past, when tourists only visited to buy goods, many establishments now open their production spaces so that visitors can directly observe the silk weaving process.
Visitors can witness each stage firsthand, from setting up the frame and winding the yarn to the finished product. This experience builds confidence in the quality and fosters appreciation for the value of handcrafted items.
Van Phuc has developed a "Silk Street" combined with supporting spaces. (Source: Vietnam+)
To develop sustainably, Van Phuc has created a "Silk Street" combined with supporting spaces such as a food court, a botanical garden, a cultural exchange center for antiques, and various types of accommodation and shopping. The space is planned to be green, clean, and environmentally friendly, creating a relaxing atmosphere in the heart of the city.
In particular, businesses along Silk Street must register their stalls with the Hanoi Department of Tourism, publicly displaying prices and product origins. This helps to curb counterfeit goods, protect the Van Phuc silk brand, and enhance its reputation with tourists.
In addition, the Van Phuc Silk Weaving Village Creative Design Center is being built as a highlight to showcase new fashion designs and silk handicrafts, connecting tradition with contemporary creativity. This is an important step for the craft village not only to "preserve the craft" but also to "revive the craft" in the context of integration.
Recently, the People's Committee of Hanoi City issued Decision No. 63/QD-UBND dated January 7, 2026, approving the detailed plan for the preservation and development of traditional craft villages combined with tourism in Van Phuc Silk Weaving Village, at a scale of 1/500.
Strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and the United States.On July 3rd, as part of the Pacific Partnership - Friends of the Pacific 2026 program, the U.S. Army Pacific delegation, led by Lieutenant General Joel Vowell, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Pacific, paid a courtesy visit to the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command.
According to the Decision, Hanoi will organize the development of craft village tourism in Van Phuc silk village with the orientation of forming characteristic tourism spaces: spaces for craft demonstrations, silk weaving process tours, product displays and introductions, and craft village cultural experiences; and organize internal tourism routes and destinations linked to public spaces, historical sites, and traditional production areas.
If Kyoto has managed to make the kimono a vibrant cultural symbol of Japan, then Van Phuc is weaving its own story: the story of a thousand-year-old craft village that knows how to adapt without losing its roots.
By organizing the development of tourism in the craft village, it is hoped that every visitor to Van Phuc will leave with the feeling that in each soft piece of silk lies the breath of time, the skillful hands of the artisans, and a part of the Vietnamese soul woven over centuries.
People take photos to capture the moment at the exhibition booth of Van Phuc Silk Village. (Photo: Khanh Hoa/VNA)
(Vietnam+)
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/lang-lua-van-phuc-noi-luu-giu-sac-lua-nghin-nam-post1105577.vnp
