Distinguished Artisan Le Thi Hang with her rattan and bamboo weaving products. Photo: Van Anh
The rattan and bamboo weaving craft of the former Hoang Thinh commune, now part of Hoang Loc commune, is a long-standing and renowned traditional craft in Thanh Hoa province. Visiting the village, one is easily captivated by the world of simple yet sophisticated products, created from familiar materials of the Vietnamese countryside. Through the skillful hands of the artisans, rattan and bamboo are not only traditional household items but also become unique art pieces. Each product embodies the spirit of the craft village, both familiar and innovative. Among the creative artisans, Ms. Le Thi Hang is one who has dedicated her life to preserving and revitalizing the rattan and bamboo weaving craft of her homeland. For Ms. Hang, rattan and bamboo weaving is her livelihood, an integral part of her being, intertwined with family memories and the years she grew up in the craft village.
Sharing her journey in the craft, Ms. Hang slowly recounted: “My family has been involved in rattan and bamboo weaving for generations. Since I was a child, I've been exposed to the craft, taught by my parents in every step, meticulously guiding me from how to select materials and process the rattan and bamboo to the weaving and shaping techniques.” These lessons not only taught her how to create durable and beautiful products, but also ignited her love and pride in the craft passed down from her ancestors. Growing up amidst the sounds of bamboo clashing and the scent of sun-dried rattan, rattan and bamboo weaving has naturally, quietly, and persistently followed her. However, the path to preserving the craft has never been smooth. There were periods when the rattan and bamboo weaving industry faced crises, with products struggling to find markets, unstable incomes, and many families having to abandon the craft to make a living elsewhere. But for Ms. Hang, her love for the craft and her belief in the value of traditional products kept her going. Because she understood that if her generation gave up, the village's craft would gradually fade away. Techniques and experiences accumulated over generations may now only remain in memory.
Unwilling to let their craft be forgotten, she and her husband embarked on a journey to find a market for their products. These were long, arduous trips, often involving significant time and effort, with no guarantee of immediate results. She shared about the time she spent traveling to China dozens of times to find partners and establish sales channels. Some trips yielded only a glimmer of hope, while others involved a year of persistently knocking on doors, introducing the product, and persuading partners before finally securing a stable supply. For her, it was a challenging period, not only economically but also in terms of faith and perseverance.
According to Ms. Hang, "In business, the most important thing is trustworthiness. From selecting raw materials and production to delivery, I always prioritize product quality. Each rattan and bamboo product is not just a commodity, but also represents the honor of the craftspeople." This seriousness and integrity have helped her family's products gradually gain a foothold in the market. In 2001, her family officially established a business.
Building upon that foundation, Ms. Hang's family's rattan and bamboo products have continuously improved in design and diversified in types to meet market demands. Not only has she preserved traditional products for daily use, but she has also boldly researched and developed new product lines suitable for export. As a result, her family's products are now present in many demanding markets such as South Korea, China, Japan, and several European countries, with sales of approximately 10,000 products per month.
Not only has she enriched her own family, but she is also deeply concerned about the livelihoods of the villagers. Her business currently collaborates with dozens of families involved in production, creating jobs for 40-100 workers, with a stable income of 5-6 million VND per person per month.
Looking back on her journey, Ms. Hang shared: “The most valuable thing this craft brings is not just economic success, but the continuation of a cultural value. Each rattan and bamboo product is the culmination of hard work, patience, and professional pride.” That is also why she is always ready to pass on her skills and share her experience with the younger generation, hoping that more people will continue the tradition so that the craft village not only survives but also develops sustainably in the flow of time.
And for that unwavering dedication, in 2024, Ms. Le Thi Hang was honored by the State with the title of Outstanding Artisan. This is both a reward and a motivation for her to continue her commitment, to continue her journey of preserving the craft, finding markets, and "passing on the flame" to future generations.
Van Anh
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nguoi-det-giac-mo-nbsp-tu-may-tre-dan-276293.htm
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