Today, the traditional brocade weaving craft in Gia Phu is mainly maintained in Bua Chung and Na Kham hamlets, with 115 households providing jobs for 140 local workers. The main products include blankets, mattresses, pillows, scarves, seat cushions, handbags, and brocade fabric.

From colourful threads and through the skillful hands of women, distinctive patterns are woven into each piece of fabric. Each motif not only reflects creativity and craftsmanship but also embodies cultural values passed down through generations. Hoang Thi Toan from Bua Chung 2 shared: “Since I was a child, the elder women in the hamlet taught me how to spin threads, set up the loom, and weave patterns. Today, I continue the craft and teach it to my children. It is encouraging that handmade brocade products are still sought after, motivating us to stay committed to this traditional craft.”

Members of the Gia Phu commune Women’s Union weave traditional brocade fabric. Brocade products are closely linked to the cultural life of ethnic communities, especially during festivals, Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations, weddings, and other ceremonies. Traditional clothing, blankets, mattresses, pillows, and scarves made from brocade remain an indispensable part of these occasions. Therefore, during the wedding season, the demand for brocade products often rises.

Dinh Thi Hien from Na Kham said: “For Thai and Muong girls, brocade products are prepared months in advance before marriage as meaningful gifts from their families. In recent years, our brocade products have become well-known to customers within and outside the commune. During the wedding season, many customers from Bac Yen, Phu Yen, and Tuyen Quang province order mattresses, pillows, and brocade fabric as gifts.”

Brocade products made by women’s union members of Gia Phu commune. 

To promote the traditional craft, the Gia Phu Women’s Union has established the Thai-Muong brocade weaving group with 15 members. This group gathers those passionate about the craft, providing opportunities for members to collaborate in production, exchange experience, improve product quality, and seek markets. Through participation, many women have learned new weaving techniques, developed new products to meet customer demand, and preserved the traditional motifs unique to their ethnic groups.

Mui Thi Luong, head of the Thai-Muong brocade weaving group in Gia Phu, stated that in addition to local sales, their handmade brocade products are also promoted via social media, trade fairs, and ethnic cultural festivals. In the future, the group will continue to recruit new members, expand production, research new designs to meet market demand, create jobs, and increase incomes for local women.

The Thai-Muong brocade weaving group in Gia Phu commune makes debut.

According to Ninh Thi Tam Binh, Chairwoman of Gia Phu commune People’s Committee, the commune recognises that preserving the brocade weaving craft not only helps maintain ethnic cultural identity but also creates livelihoods for residents. It will continues to cooperate with mass organisations to support product promotion, expand markets, and link traditional craft development with community tourism and new-style rural development.

Amid modern life, the Thai and Muong women of Gia Phu remain diligently at their looms, weaving brocade pieces that bear the cultural imprint of their ethnic groups. These products continue to enrich contemporary life while helping preserve and spread the beauty of local culture.