VietNamNet Bridge – It is a challenge for Vietnam’s fabric to compete with international brands that are cheaper and have more diversified designs produced from modern technologies.

In HCMC, Bay Hien weaving village, which was once well known for its strong production of fabric meeting local demands, is seen on the oblivion. Many craftsmen – who came from the central coast province of Quang Nam to Ward 11 of Tan Binh District – have now quit their traditional weaving career to find other jobs to earn a living.

People who have a chance to pass by the locality might still be able to hear the sounds of busy shuttles on weaving machines. However, no one knows whether these sounds will last long as people are struggling to earn a living with this traditional career.

There are people who still keep wooden weaving tools that date back to the 1960s. People in Bay Hien are from Duy Xuyen Commune in Dien Ban District in Quang Nam Province. Bay Hien fabric weaving village has its glory days in the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately, since 1993 the village has been in tough times to compete with foreign products.

The modern machines have saved labor cost. In the photo, Nguyen Van Tien, a staff of a weaving factory in Ward 11 in Tan Binh District, can control six modern machines at the same time.       There is still the sound of shuttles echoing daily in the locality.     From thousands of residents weaving cloth, Bay Hien weaving community has seen its workforce shrink to nearly 500 households still pursuing the career – Photos:  Thanh Hoa

SGT