One of the traditional crafts found in rural villages is the production of products for daily life, such as baskets, trays, and sieves. Through the creativity and skillful hands of the people, these products are constantly improving in quality, diversifying in style, design, and color. They are highly practical and serve many different industries and fields, such as storage baskets, handbags, trays for teacups and teapots, hangers, lampshades, and flower baskets.
Bamboo and rattan products from Tan Tho Handicraft Cooperative, Tan Tho commune (Nong Cong district).
Tan Tho Handicraft Cooperative, located in Tan Tho commune (Nong Cong district), is one of the cooperatives producing and trading handicrafts, household items, and decorative goods made from rattan, bamboo, and sedge. Currently, the cooperative has created jobs for hundreds of workers in Tan Tho commune and other communes within and outside the district. Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy, from Phu Quy village – one of the workers with many years of experience in the craft – said: "The rattan and bamboo weaving craft doesn't have molds, so it requires the craftsman to be skillful, meticulous, and creative. Furthermore, they must ensure technical and aesthetic quality so that the finished product meets the specifications and designs of the order. For rattan and bamboo weaving, selecting raw materials is the most important step in the production process. The bamboo must be neither too young nor too old, growing straight and with high hardness; the rattan also needs to be of sufficient size, straight, and uniform. Then, it undergoes preliminary processing to remove impurities and clean it, preventing termites, mold, and mildew." Bamboo is peeled and then dried to soften it and create a beautiful and stable color; rattan is also cleaned and given a smooth, glossy surface, then dried to help extract its natural color. Splitting the fibers is the most important and time-consuming step because the fibers must be neither too thick nor too thin, creating the necessary flexibility for the material to be used in various products; then the craftsmen use simple tools such as weaving scissors, cutting knives, and knitting hooks to carry out the rattan weaving process. Currently, in addition to renewing and improving the quality of traditional products, the cooperative has focused on vocational training, encouraging people to be creative, improve quality, and innovate designs to meet market demands; especially using natural materials and coloring methods to ensure the products are always environmentally friendly.
In addition to domestic consumption, the cooperative's products have been exported to markets in Asia and Europe, bringing high economic efficiency and creating stable jobs for workers.
Currently, in districts such as Nong Cong, Nga Son, Hoang Hoa, and Quang Xuong, the rattan and bamboo weaving craft is being actively developed. Rattan and bamboo products are not only beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, but also highly practical for various uses in daily life, decoration, and as gifts. Therefore, many businesses and cooperatives are implementing product distribution and vocational training programs for workers, such as Ngoc Son Hanoi Company, Quoc Dai Co., Ltd., Coi Xanh Production, Trade and Export Co., Ltd., and Tan Tho Handicraft Cooperative. This has contributed to creating opportunities for rattan and bamboo products to enter foreign markets such as Japan, South Korea, and Spain. In addition, production facilities have proactively brought their products closer to consumers by actively participating in exhibitions and product introductions at trade fairs; promoting and selling online through their websites and e-commerce platforms. At the same time, they participate in training courses and guidance from the province and district on applying digital transformation to promote product consumption... However, in reality, preserving the craft and finding stable markets for products still faces many difficulties, because the younger generation is no longer interested in learning the craft.
Therefore, to maintain and develop the traditional rattan and bamboo weaving craft, in addition to the attention and support from all levels, sectors, and businesses, production households need to be proactive in innovating equipment and technology, combining traditional and modern elements, gradually improving quality and design, and increasing the competitiveness of products; especially by actively participating in introducing and advertising products at trade fairs and e-commerce platforms... to seek opportunities for cooperation in production, business, and export. Furthermore, it is necessary to prioritize training and improving the skills and awareness of workers; building product brands and craft village brands associated with maintaining and expanding markets.
Text and photos: Le Ngoc
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