A Masterpiece of Traditional Men's Linen

Today, Namchao Spun Silk Village still welcomes visitors with the peace it has known for four centuries. In this age of technology and machines, the artisans quietly preserve each meticulous hand-crafting step, weaving their homeland's rustic beauty. In the courtyard of this old house, the hard-working women of Namchao Village spin silk every day. They have practiced this traditional craft since childhood. Through the village's many ups and downs, they still cherish their ancestors' heritage. So today, spinning silk is more than a livelihood. It has become part of daily life. This craft has been passed down through our family, from one generation to the next. I'm the fourth generation, perhaps the fifth or sixth by now, and I'll pass it on to my children and grandchildren. We'll pass the torch to them and preserve this craft forever. The skill of Namchao's artisans is spinning rough, rustic yarn without breaking it. No modern machine can replace the human touch at this stage. These gifted, spontaneous threads create a unique fabric, cool in summer and warm in winter. We must spin the yarn beautifully, evenly, finely, and to the right standard. Then the cooperative can weave beautiful fabric, with beautiful results from skilled weavers. Today, quality comes first. In the past, villagers spun yarn without knowing what it would become or who would buy it. Since we founded the cooperative, I control the incoming materials, so we inspect them very carefully. We even visit the villagers and guide them in proper spinning techniques. Before, their yarn might be thick or thin, knotted, or contain black debris. Now, as part of the cooperative, they must meet our quality standards. When an order comes in, the yarn must match exactly what we agreed with the customer. That is why we are so strict about quality control. Under the golden sunlight, the spun silk yarn continues drying to retain its natural strength and color. Each strand of raw spun silk carries the sweat and passion of our artisans. It also holds the sunlight, wind, and colors of this land by the Red River. From hundreds of artisans' homes, bundles of spun silk are brought to the cooperative. Spinning calls for sensitive fingers, weaving is a song of rhythm and patience. From pressing the petals to passing the shuttle, weavers must focus as warp and weft interlace evenly. Unlike smooth, uniform machine-made fabrics, Nam Chau spun silk preserves its natural, rustic texture. Each new length of fabric takes thousands of shuttle strokes, carrying the weaver's dedication, ingenuity, and pride in the craft. I can tell this is for clothing, but this one is a handmade product. It's all made by hand, without machines. So we can produce only 2 or 3 meters a day. It takes a lot of time and work. Our cooperative is preparing many new products. In winter, the weather here gets very cold. So we're preparing many kinds of soft spun silk scarves, as well as hand-painted scarves. And scarves dyed in many colors. Some colors are warm, which look better in winter. They have a richer character for the season. We're also preparing new fabrics and designs for ao dai, and skirts for women to wear during Tet. We also make products for everyday use, such as face towels and bath towels. We've been making many of these for Tet, and the preparations are in full swing. For the village artisans, joy is not only in preserving our ancestors' centuries-old craft, but also in welcoming visitors from afar. Who come to learn about their homeland. Visitors from Vietnam and abroad come here not just to shop, but to see and experience how this former royal tribute product is made. They also get to witness spun silk spinning contests, a source of village pride. This craft village tourism model not only brings new income, but also brings traditional culture closer to modern audiences. I've been in the spun silk craft for about 50 years. When I was very young, I already knew how to spin silk. It's our hometown craft, so we're very happy. Today, this spinning contest has made the villagers very excited. Everyone is delighted, some cheer, some practice spinning. And the children follow their grandparents and learn, too. We hope this craft will remain stable forever. Nam Chau is the cradle of silk. In short, Nam Chau is a beloved silk village, drawing weavers from everywhere. We should preserve and sustain a craft village like this. Spun silk weaving requires great care, skill, and patience. When these products reach the market, I wear them myself and feel very happy. I think we should develop more strongly to preserve wonderful products like these. The harmony of production and community tourism has opened a bright new chapter for Nam Chau's spun silk village. No longer confined to the weaving space, community tourism brings two benefits, improving villagers' livelihoods through on-site sales and inspiring them to preserve the craft together. The village's vitality is now measured not only in meters of woven fabric, but also in pride as the craft's spirit quietly passes to future generations. Through the joy and excitement of visitors from everywhere, coming here gave me a very special feeling. This village produced the silk fabric I'm wearing right now. Seeing them turn cocoons into silk threads, I could sense their calm, gentleness, and patience. Watching them, I felt close to them and warmly connected. This is my first visit to Nam Chau's spun silk village, and I find the atmosphere here very welcoming. Experiencing the spinning activities was wonderful. I believe this is a craft we should preserve to protect Vietnam's culture and heritage. We must always remember to help Vietnamese products reach the world. After more than four centuries of ups and downs, the revival of Nam Chau's spun silk today is the strongest answer to the enduring vitality of a traditional craft village. The skill of talented artisans' hands, combined with the new era's sharp, adaptable thinking, these rustic spun silk products will continue to travel far, fulfilling new dreams and preserve the village spirit amid modern life's rush. Seeing the process firsthand and learning how the fabric I'm wearing is made, I understand how it's produced. Seeing each step makes me love my silk garment more and love Vietnamese culture and craft villages more. The Nam Chau Silk Cooperative hopes to bring the women and customers at home and abroad together to share the love, passion, and dedication of Nam Chau's artisans. The dream of taking spun silk far and wide is no longer for the future. It is coming vividly to life in Nam Chau today. After centuries of change and hardship, these rustic spun silk products are more than clothing material. They have become silk threads connecting love, heritage, and generations. Amid the rush of modern life, the traditional looms will keep clattering proudly. Four humble villagers quietly paint an enduring cultural picture, preserving the village spirit for generations to come.