Vietnam’s Weaved Treasures Capture the Imagination
Weaving crafts shine brightly in Ha Tay province where many craft village names have gone down in history through folksongs, proverbs, and the lives of the Vietnamese. One can note hundreds of weaving craft villages in Ha Tay, but unforgettable are the names of Phu Nghia, Ninh So, Phu Tuc, and others that are bringing fame to Vietnam through their inroads into international markets. How nice rattan-slanting products are! Being of a peaceful countryside, Phu Nghia has been very famous for its weaving craft for ages. The name of Phu Nghia is associated with many entrustments, and means enrichment from devoted weaving products. No one remember exactly when the weaving craft had its beginnings, but since beginning of XVII century, Phu Nghia villagers have paved the way for creation of household utensils firstly made by bamboo and neohouzeora (a kind of bamboo), then made by rattan – a strong and flexible shrub-like plant. In Ha Tay province, you could find nice rattan baskets, vases, and plates in many villages such as Truong Yen, Dong Phuong Yen, and Binh Phu, but the most beautiful rattan-slanting products are only available at Phu Nghia, renown as the pinnacle of Vietnam’s rattan weaving art. The rattan plant, a climbing palm with very long tough stems, itself is very simple and exhibits no particular artistic value. Through the talented hands of Phu Nghia villagers, it becomes an invaluable work of art. All Phu Nghia villagers are skilled weavers who have made countless products from generation to generation such as baskets, bags, plates, bowls, vases, and more. Each product has a different style: Plates include round, octagonal, and half-round shapes; baskets are found in the form of hand-baskets, single baskets, and couple-baskets etc. A simple thing to recognize is rattan weaving here always shining as a part of history and all villagers engrave deeply in their minds reminders from their ancestors: ”As long as you are able to keep the skilled craft, glory is with you”
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