Preserving the weaving craft of the Tay people in Tuyen Quang

Amidst the stilt houses leaning against the mountainsides, the rhythmic clatter of bamboo strips echoes like a familiar heartbeat among the Tay people of Ha Giang 1 Ward. Bamboo weaving - one of the community’s long-standing cultural markers - continues to be preserved through the skillful hands of local people.

Following the hillsides, Tay women quietly search for materials for weaving. Bamboo and neohouzeaua are selected with great care: the plants must be straight, neither too old nor too young; ideally, the “banh te” type of bamboo is chosen to ensure the finished products resist termites.

Tay women bring bamboo and neohouzeaua from the forest back to the village, preparing for the weaving process.

After being brought home, the bamboo is cut into evenly sized sections, with the proportions adjusted depending on the intended product. This is an important step to ensure the weaving strips are uniform, strong, and durable.

Next comes the delicate task of splitting the strips, shaving them until they are soft, smooth, and even - only then can the finished products be sturdy, durable, and visually pleasing.

The carefully shaved bamboo and neohouzeaua strips form the foundation for crafting the intricate woven products of the Tay people.

The carefully shaved bamboo and neohouzeaua strips form the foundation for crafting the intricate woven products of the Tay people.

In recent years, this traditional craft has been at risk of fading away, as younger generations show little interest due to the time-consuming nature of the work, its demand for meticulous skill, and the relatively low income it provides.

Nguyen Thuy Loan, one of the few young people still committed to the craft, shared: “Even though local shops now sell attractive household goods made of plastic, my family continues to use woven products to help protect the environment.”

Beside the stilt house, Tay women diligently weave bamboo and neohouzeaua items, preserving a traditional craft intertwined with village life for generations.

After completion, the products are lightly heated over fire to harden them, remove excess fibers, and enhance durability and longevity.

Through many meticulous steps and the diligent hands of Tay women, woven products gradually take shape, becoming familiar household items used in everyday life.

Nguyen Yem