VietNamNet Bridge – Traditional weaving skills of the Khmer ethnic minority group have been handed down at an Embroidery Weaving Co-operative in Van Giao handicraft village, in the southern province of An Giang.

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Pass it on: Elderly people have passed on their skills and experience to younger generations.


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Hard labour: Mrs Néang Sóc Then weaves three traditional long dresses each month and sells them for VND1.2 million (US$52) each. She earns a steady income from the garments.

The co-operative was set up in 2002, aiming to preserve local traditional handicraft. The co-operative’s products range in design, colour and decorative patterns to suit customers in Vietnam and foreigners.

The products have also been exported to Cambodia, with which the province shares a 100km border.

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Many uses: Craftspeople weave three layers of silk with three different colours to fashion scarfs, long skirts, paintings and table cloths.


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Detailed patterns: Products made by Van Giao’s artisans are intricate.


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Dipping it: The dyeing stage is the most important in the long process of making a complete product.

The village now hosts over 70 families keeping the handicrafts alive, with 130 workers, many of whom are experts.

Hand-woven embroidery made by locals is treasured by many. 

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Nice threads: Local cloth is famed for its vibrant colours.


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Handmade: Threads are carefully dyed and mixed before being woven into items.


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Bright: Local artisans use natural materials to colour the threads, which make the cloth shiny and smooth.

Trong Dat

Source: VNS

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