Diem Village Cooperative
From Chau Khe Commune center, it takes about 8 km of rough, rocky road to reach Diem Village; a remote border village home to over 100 households of Thai ethnic minority people. The local population mainly relies on the harvesting of non-timber forest products, making daily life extremely difficult. For the people here, bamboo and rattan weaving has become a deeply rooted vocation, passed down through generations.
Diem Bamboo and Rattan Weaving Group
Address: Diem Village, Chau Khe Commune, Con Cuong District, Nghe An Province
Funded by: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Oxfam Hong Kong (OHK)
Implementing Agency: Vietnam Rural Industries Research and Development Institute (VIRI)
Project Duration: from the year of 2013 – 2015
From Chau Khe Commune center, it takes about 8 km of rough, rocky road to reach Diem Village; a remote border village home to over 100 households of Thai ethnic minority people. The local population mainly relies on the harvesting of non-timber forest products, making daily life extremely difficult. For the people here, bamboo and rattan weaving has become a deeply rooted vocation, passed down through generations. The villagers are determined to preserve the valuable cultural heritage left by their ancestors and to continue developing the traditional craft of bamboo and rattan weaving. However, for many reasons, this tradition was at risk of fading away, and even becoming extinct. In the past, members had limited skills and low incomes. Many villagers were not interested in participating in the craft. In 2013, the project titled “Scaling up the rattan value chain for poor women and ethnic minorities in Nghe An province” was launched, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Oxfam in Vietnam. VIRI was the implementing agency for this model. Within the project framework, project staff and local authorities mobilized Diem villagers to form the Diem Bamboo & Rattan Weaving Group. The group started with 17 members, most of whom were women, many in difficult circumstances, including elderly women living alone. The group developed a set of operating regulations and received training to enhance their weaving skills and learn to produce new product designs. They were also trained in business, sales techniques, and market linkage development.
The group’s products are 100% natural, using only materials like bamboo, rattan, and canes collected from local forests. All items are handmade through traditional methods. Thanks to the skilled hands and creativity of the members, the products carry distinctive features. Natural dyes made from forest leaves and roots are used to color the items. Traditional patterns of the Thai ethnic group are integrated into the designs, each motif telling a meaningful story rooted in Thai culture.
The group’s products are natural, high-quality, and safe for consumers’ health. They are long lasting, and resistant to termites through traditional methods such as smoke curing and storing above kitchen stoves. The products are sold locally, throughout the province, and beyond.
By participating in the group, members not only improve their income but also support one another in daily life, strengthening neighborhood bonds. Notably, the group established a Mutual Support Fund. Every month, after wages are settled, each member contributes VND 20,000 to the fund. This fund is then rotated among members as small loans to invest in production or resolve family difficulties, including supporting disadvantaged children in attending school.
Ms. Lang Thi Hoa, the group leader, shared that all members are happy to be part of the group. “Today, our production volume has grown, and everything we make is quickly sold. Incomes have improved. People in the district know our products, and we’ve participated in several major festivals and fairs inside and outside the province.” The group is now operating stably and regularly welcomes new members.