Preserving the craft of white hemp weaving

In Sa Phin commune, Ms. Vang Thi Cau, a Mong ethnic woman, has been making tireless efforts to preserve and revive white hemp weaving – a traditional cultural heritage that is gradually fading. Born into a family of weavers, she mastered every stage of the craft from an early age, from growing flax and spinning fibers to weaving, dyeing, and embroidery. Motivated by a deep love for the craft and a desire to create jobs for local women, she established the Sa Phin White Hemp Cooperative.

Ms. Vang Thi Cau carefully instructs members of the Sa Phin White Hemp Cooperative in hemp weaving skills.

Inside her modest traditional Mong home nestled in the valley, the rhythmic sounds of the wooden loom echo daily. For the Mong people, hemp fabric is not merely clothing but a cultural symbol, reflecting women’s diligence and skill. Preserving this craft, Ms. Cau emphasized, means safeguarding the soul of the community. Yet the work is labor-intensive, taking months to complete a single piece of fabric, while market demand remains uncertain. Many young women now prefer ready-made clothing, and at times Ms. Cau considered giving up. However, her pride in the pristine white threads has kept her going.

To overcome challenges, she introduced products at trade fairs and exhibitions, connected with garment enterprises, and expanded into international markets. Tourists, particularly from Europe, are fascinated by the intricate handmade process and pay high prices for authentic products. Today, the cooperative has created more than 45 product lines such as scarves, bags, and skirts. Around 70% of its output is exported to markets including Europe, Japan, Australia, Laos, and Thailand, while the remainder serves domestic tourism. Members earn an average income of VND 4–6 million per month.

Beyond production, Ms. Cau has opened training classes, personally guiding young women through every step. Many have quickly mastered the techniques and now produce market-ready goods. The cooperative has also embraced community-based tourism, with its exhibition space in Sa Phin becoming a popular destination where visitors can try spinning and weaving while learning about Mong culture.

Thanks to the dedication of Ms. Cau and her cooperative, white hemp weaving in the Dong Van Karst Plateau is experiencing a revival. In 2019, Mong hemp weaving was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, reaffirming the enduring value of this traditional craft and its vital role in preserving ethnic cultural identity.

Hoang Ngoc