Visiting Lung Tam village, visitors will have a chance to experience the daily life of the locals. Hmong women diligently work with looms to create beautiful brocade and linen pieces from flax fibers. Weaving a fine brocade piece is the pride of Hmong women.
The main material for weaving is flax fibers so all Hmong women have individual fields for growing flax plants. After harvesting, the flax plants are soaked in water to extract the fibers. Then the fibers are rolled and steamed to make them softer. The locals use natural colors from forest leaves and wood to dye the fibers.
It is not easy to make a fine piece. After weaving, Hmong women wash the brocade and linen and rub beeswax to make the material smooth and shiny. The material is soaked in the indigo solution for an hour and then dried. This step is then repeated 5-6 times. Finally, the material is dyed but this phase almost always depends on the weather. It takes about three or four days in sunny weather and several months during the rainy season. Thanks to the careful dying, Hmong fabrics always have a fresh and durable color.
Creating patterns on brocade is a special part in the weaving process of Lung Tam villagers. All patterns are embroidered by hand, covered by cloth and drawn using beeswax.
Lung Tam weaving village now has diverse products such as dresses, bags, wallets and cloth. Each item is made with the skilled hands of Hmong which shows the culture of people living on the Dong Van plateau.
With unique material and colorful patterns, Lung Tam village’s products are not only sold nationwide, but also exported to more than 20 countries including the US, Japan and Switzerland.
The main material for weaving is flax fibers so all Hmong women have individual fields for growing flax plants. After harvesting, the flax plants are soaked in water to extract the fibers. Then the fibers are rolled and steamed to make them softer. The locals use natural colors from forest leaves and wood to dye the fibers.
 Brocade is woven from flax fibers. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP 
Preparing fibers for weaving. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP
 Spinning flax fibers. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP  Mong women skillfully work with the weaving loom in Lung Tam village. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP 
All phases of weaving are done by hands. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP
According to the locals, linen also connects people to the spiritual world. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP
 Indigo dying is hard work and takes a lot of time and requires patience from the craftsperson. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP  Colors for dying are extracted from leaves and wood. Photo:Thanh Giang/VNP |
It is not easy to make a fine piece. After weaving, Hmong women wash the brocade and linen and rub beeswax to make the material smooth and shiny. The material is soaked in the indigo solution for an hour and then dried. This step is then repeated 5-6 times. Finally, the material is dyed but this phase almost always depends on the weather. It takes about three or four days in sunny weather and several months during the rainy season. Thanks to the careful dying, Hmong fabrics always have a fresh and durable color.
Creating patterns on brocade is a special part in the weaving process of Lung Tam villagers. All patterns are embroidered by hand, covered by cloth and drawn using beeswax.
 Various products of cloth, wallets, blankets, bags, and pillows made in Lung Tam village. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP     Lung Tam brocade products. Photo: Thanh Giang/VNP |
Lung Tam weaving village now has diverse products such as dresses, bags, wallets and cloth. Each item is made with the skilled hands of Hmong which shows the culture of people living on the Dong Van plateau.
With unique material and colorful patterns, Lung Tam village’s products are not only sold nationwide, but also exported to more than 20 countries including the US, Japan and Switzerland.
Story : Cong Dat - Photos: Thanh Giang
