Van Phuc - A thousand-year-old silk village preserving the quintessence of Vietnam

– When talking about Vietnamese silk, one cannot help but mention the name of Van Phuc village, Ha Dong ward, Hanoi city. For generations, the village located on the gentle Nhue Giang river has been tirelessly weaving shiny, soft silk, both bearing ancient beauty and closely associated with the quintessence of national culture.

Van Phuc silk village, located in Ha Dong ward, Hanoi city, has a history of more than 1,000 years. Previously, the village was also called Van Bao, but due to the taboo of the Nguyen dynasty, it was changed to Van Phuc. Throughout the long journey of more than a millennium, the craft village has gone through many historical changes, but still maintained its quintessence, to become today the symbol of Vietnamese silk.

With nearly 800 households working in the craft, accounting for about 60% of the households in the village, Van Phuc produces from 2.5 to 3 million m² of fabric each year, contributing up to 63% of the total revenue of the whole craft village. This is also the craft village recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records Center as "The oldest silk weaving craft village still in operation today" - a testament to the enduring vitality of the traditional craft.

As early as 1931, Van Phuc silk was introduced at the Marseille Fair (France) and immediately made a splash when it was evaluated as one of the most sophisticated and beautiful silk lines in Indochina. By 1958, silk products here were exported to many Eastern European countries, and to this day are still present in many countries around the world .

What makes Van Phuc silk so special is the sophistication in each thread and each pattern. The silk here is not only soft and durable, but also contains the soul of the craftsman. The patterns on the silk are diverse, symmetrical, the lines are elegant, simple but still liberal. Silk products are not only for wearing but also for looking at, to feel a beauty imbued with art and culture.

Nowadays, in addition to preserving traditional beauty, Van Phuc is also gradually innovating to catch up with market tastes. Local people have combined traditional weaving techniques with modern technology, creating diverse products to meet domestic and international needs.

Not only is it a place that produces famous silk, Van Phuc has also become an attractive destination for tourists.

The village roads are filled with the colors of silk, the ancient houses bear the marks of time, and the looms still creaking regularly... all have created a unique cultural space, attracting many people.

In the midst of modern life, when many craft villages are facing the risk of extinction, Van Phuc still shines as a living testament to the enduring vitality of Vietnamese craft village culture. Each piece of silk here is not only a product of ingenuity, but also a crystallization of memory, tradition and national pride.

Recognized as a member of the “World Creative Craft Cities” network, Van Phuc craft village is not only the pride of Hanoi but also of the whole country. The young generation here is following their ancestors, both preserving and creating to bring Vietnamese silk further and further.

Festival to preserve and develop Vietnamese craft villages.

The moment of announcing Van Phuc silk weaving village.

Ceremony to welcome two craft villages Bat Trang ceramics and Van Phuc silk weaving as members of the network of creative craft cities worldwide.

Source: Economic & Urban Newspaper

Source: http://sodulich.hanoi.gov.vn/van-phuc-lang-lua-nghin-nam-giu-hon-tinh-hoa-viet.html