Bringing Lung Tam brocade to the world

For more than three decades, Vang Thi Mai of Lung Tam Commune has dedicated herself to preserving and developing the traditional hemp-weaving craft of the Hmong people. From humble looms in a remote mountain village, she has helped bring Lung Tam brocade products to domestic and international markets while creating sustainable livelihoods for hundreds of ethnic minority women.

Vang Thi Mai remains deeply devoted to preserving the traditional hemp-weaving craft.

Born and raised in the Hmong community, Mai learned how to grow flax, spin thread, and weave fabric from an early age. As traditional hemp weaving faced the risk of disappearing in the 1990s due to the growing popularity of industrial textiles, she became determined to preserve the craft and create employment opportunities for local women. In 2001, with support from local authorities, she established the Lung Tam Hemp Weaving Cooperative with just 10 members and an initial capital of VND 13 million.

In its early years, the cooperative faced numerous challenges, including limited capital, market access, and deeply rooted gender stereotypes. Many women encountered opposition from their families when joining the cooperative. Through persistence and community outreach, however, Mai helped create stable jobs and incomes, empowering women to gain greater confidence and a stronger voice within their families and society.

Alongside preserving traditional craftsmanship, Mai actively sought new markets for the cooperative’s products. From carrying hemp goods to Hanoi to introduce them to customers, to collaborating with fashion designers and international experts, Lung Tam hemp gradually gained wider recognition. Today, the cooperative’s products are sold across Vietnam and exported to more than 20 countries, primarily in Europe.

The Lung Tam Hemp Weaving Cooperative now has around 250 members and produces more than 150 different product lines, providing stable income opportunities for local workers. The cooperative also maintains a traditional weaving workshop that offers demonstrations and hands-on experiences for visitors, contributing to the development of community-based tourism and the promotion of Hmong cultural heritage.

For her outstanding contributions to preserving traditional crafts and advancing the role of women in mountainous areas, Vang Thi Mai has received numerous prestigious awards and honors. In 2017, she was named among Forbes Vietnam’s list of the 50 Most Influential Women in Vietnam, recognizing her pioneering efforts in bringing traditional Hmong hemp products from the rocky plateau to national and international markets.

Pham Hoan