La Khe Embroidery Village: Connecting Traditional and Contemporary Art

On the Ha Dong strip of land, La Khe has long been famous as a traditional craft village with sophisticated and sharp embroidery products, marking a cultural beauty in the flow of history. The artisans here not only preserve the quintessence of the craft but also gradually combine traditional values ​​with contemporary creativity, bringing new vitality to this craft village. La Khe is one of the oldest ancient villages, formed in the 5th century. The weaving and embroidery profession here was recorded from the early 17th century, when Chinese immigrant families brought sophisticated techniques and passed them on to the local people. From simple weaving products, the embroidery profession has developed remarkably thanks to the application of special techniques, creating unique products to serve the aristocracy and the royal court. Over time, La Khe's embroidery patterns have both expressed aesthetic value and reflected the development of social culture through each historical period. In the early 19th century, La Khe village was assigned by the Nguyen Dynasty to supply embroidery and weaving products to the Hue capital. Many artisans were awarded titles by the court, recognizing their talents and contributions to the country's handicraft industry. However, along with the fluctuations of history, the craft village fell into a state of decline. By the mid-20th century, embroidery activities here declined significantly due to changes in market demand and economic difficulties. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="800"] Foreign tourists enjoy La Khe silk products. Photo: giaoducthoidai[/caption] It was thought that the traditional embroidery profession would gradually disappear, but thanks to the efforts of artisans and local authorities, the craft village has gradually revived. Since 2002, many families in La Khe have boldly restored the traditional profession, despite facing many challenges. Artisan Le Dang Toan, one of the pioneers, shared that preserving the profession requires not only high technique but also great passion and perseverance. With his talented hands, he has successfully restored many ancient patterns and created more modern designs, suitable for today's market needs. One of the factors that makes the embroidery profession unique in La Khe is the meticulousness and sophistication in each needle and thread. The embroidered patterns are both beautiful in form and contain profound cultural meanings. Each embroidery product tells a story through art, becoming a bridge connecting the past and the present. Artisan Nguyen Thi Yen, who has been involved in the profession since childhood, shared that each embroidery is a process of conveying the passion and pride of the craftsman. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="800"] The La Khe craft village has long been a high-end product, serving the royal court. Photo: giaoducthoidai[/caption] Not only stopping at restoration, La Khe craft village also seeks to integrate into the flow of modern society. The village's embroidery products have been introduced in many cultural events, art and fashion exhibitions. The hand-embroidered ao dai, with traditional patterns, have conquered many art lovers at home and abroad. This is also proof of the harmonious connection between traditional art and contemporary trends. The preservation and development of embroidery in La Khe requires consensus from both the community and the government. Support programs such as vocational training, product promotion and creating conditions for market access have played an important role in maintaining the craft village. In addition, many artisans have dedicated themselves to passing on their skills to the younger generation, both preserving the precious heritage and inspiring love and passion for the art of hand embroidery. La Khe Village today has become an attractive destination for those who love traditional culture, and is also a symbol of perseverance and creativity. Through many ups and downs, the embroidery craft here still retains the core values ​​of the past and opens up new development opportunities for the future. This is a clear demonstration of the harmonious combination between art and life, between heritage and innovation, creating a deep attraction in the hearts of people and tourists.

Hoang Anh