The traditional craft of making Mid-Autumn Festival’s lanterns and silk flowers has existed for years in Bao Dap Village in Hong Quang Commune, Nam Truc District, about 10km from Nam Dinh City. The craft has helped improve the living standards of the locals and change the appearance of the poor area.
In Bao Dap Village, there are about 400 households engaged in making and trading silk flowers. Here, each family produces various kinds of flowers, one being different from others, to meet the increasing demand of customers. Besides traditional flowers, such as roses, lotuses, apricots and peach blossoms, the villagers also produce new varieties of flowers, such as orchids, lyses and Moth orchids which are the favourites in the market.
Silk flowers made by Bao Dap villagers are as beautiful as the real ones and very durable. Furthermore, they are sold for a low price so they have become more popular. Vu Thi Son, the owner of Son Chu Silk Flower Workshop, said: “Previously my family made plastic flowers which were not beautiful so we changed to make silk flowers which are more beautiful and sold all year round.” Every year, in early December according to the lunar calendar, the villagers become busier making flowers to meet the increasing demand of customers from provinces in the country, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong and Dang Nang and for export.
Part of Bao Dap Village’s silk flowers.
Silk flower petals have just been made from the heat pressing machine.
The craft of making silk flowers requires little strength and is suitable for people of all ages.
It brings a stable income for the locals.
Most interest products made by Bao Dap villagers.
Packing flowers for selling to the market.
Silk flowers made by Bao Dap villagers.
The craft of making silk flowers contributes to providing jobs
for both villagers and people in surrounding areas all year round. |
Making silk flowers is a rather simple job that requires little strength and is suitable for people of all ages. The craft creates stable jobs for the locals and helps them escape from poverty. “During my free time, I often make silk flowers to earn more money. The work is simple and suitable to my health. Each month, I earn from 1.5-2 million dong, enough for daily expenses,” said Nguyen Thi Lua in Dong Village.
Nguyen Quoc Viet, Chairman of Hong Quang Commune People’s Committee, said: “Silk flowers help change the lives of the villagers in Bao Dap who once lived on farming. It has also contributed to changing the appearance of the poor area. At present, many households in the village annually earn from 200-300 million dong”.
To further develop the traditional craft, the local authority has created favourable conditions for the locals to expand production and invest in machines and facilities. With skillful hands and creativeness, the villagers in Bao Dap create beautiful handmade products, making a contribution to preserving the traditional craft and the development of the local economy.
Story: Tuan Anh - Photos: Viet Cuong