Brocade from Com Hamlet, Dong Lai Commune - exquisite in every detail.

For generations, brocade weaving has been a traditional craft closely associated with the Muong ethnic community in Hoa Binh province. In modern life, there was a time when brocade weaving declined. However, in Com hamlet, Dong Lai commune, Tan Lac district, Muong women have revived the essence of Muong brocade weaving through products that combine tradition with modernity. They are members of the Dong Lai Traditional Brocade Weaving and General Services Cooperative.

Báo Hòa Bình•28/04/2025

The cooperative's brocade production process is entirely handcrafted.

The traditional brocade weaving craft of the Muong people in Com hamlet has existed and developed through many generations, becoming an indispensable part of their ethnic cultural identity. Brocade products such as fabric, scarves, bags, wallets, shirts, and skirt waistbands are not simply everyday items, but also works of art created from the combination of sophisticated weaving techniques and the skillful hands of the Muong women here. In 2017, Com hamlet, Dong Lai commune, was officially recognized as a traditional brocade weaving village in Hoa Binh province. Currently, although the village is no longer maintained, brocade weaving remains a source of pride for the Muong women of Com hamlet. In 2023, the Dong Lai Traditional Brocade Weaving and Agricultural Services Cooperative was established with 16 members to restore, maintain, and develop the brocade weaving craft in the locality. After nearly two years since its establishment, in 2025, the cooperative's brocade products officially received OCOP 3-star certification. This is a source of pride and also a testament to the cooperative's efforts in preserving traditional crafts and modernizing products to suit the times and meet market demands.

In late April, together with officials from the Tan Lac District People's Committee, we visited a cooperative model in Com hamlet, Dong Lai commune. Contrary to expectations, the "owners" of the very fashionable scarves, wallets, backpacks, etc., being sold by the cooperative were women who were already grandmothers, still wearing traditional Muong clothing and singing "thuong rang" while their hands nimbly moved the shuttle on the loom.

Ms. Bui Thi Sung, the oldest member of the cooperative, shared: "Weaving brocade is the pride of Muong women. By the age of nine or ten, most Muong women are already proficient at working on the loom. Therefore, we are extremely excited and proud to be able to restore and maintain this traditional craft. With these products, we want to introduce the traditional culture of our ethnic group, and at the same time, we hope to maintain brocade weaving as a stable job, giving Muong women more employment opportunities and improving their lives."

It is known that all the brocade products of the cooperative are entirely hand-woven from natural cotton yarn. The harvesting of cotton, bleaching of the yarn, and the weaving process are all done meticulously and elaborately. To create unique patterns, the cooperative members have incorporated stories, beautiful customs and traditions, as well as the Muong people's perspectives on the natural and social world into their brocade products. From this material, the cooperative produces products such as scarves, shirts, wallets, backpacks, and handbags using entirely natural materials. Ms. Bui Thi Mia, 71 years old, a member of the cooperative, said: "Currently, we focus on developing 100% handcrafted products from the stages of silk reeling, fabric dyeing, and brocade weaving. Besides that, the cooperative has also made many improvements in color and pattern coordination to create products that suit consumer tastes. At the same time, we have improved sewing techniques to ensure high-quality products, from the stitches to the finishing touches."

With solid initial steps, the cooperative has been working towards the sustainable development of the brocade weaving craft. With an income of 4-5 million VND per person per month, brocade weaving has provided many women in Dong Lai commune with a stable additional income. By combining traditional methods with product modernization, the cooperative has created jobs, increased income, and preserved and promoted the traditional craft.

To build its brand, the cooperative has participated in introducing and displaying its products at many fairs and exhibitions inside and outside the province. At the same time, it continues to promote research and develop new products to meet the increasingly high demands of the market.

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