Hand embroidery in a traditional craft village - Minh Lang, Vu Thu

In Minh Lang, the art of embroidery is so deeply woven into the fabric of daily life and the village's history that even children and the elderly exhibit skill in this intricate craft. Dating back to the first century, Vietnamese embroidery has become an integral part of the local residents' lives in Minh Lang, contributing significantly to the improvement of living conditions in the region.

Nguyen Van Thanh, Chairman of Minh Lang People's Committee, proudly notes that the village's embroidery work has made a mark in various countries such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, the UK, France, and Italy. Riding on the success of this craftsmanship, local businesses have flourished, providing employment for approximately 4,500 local workers who receive monthly salaries ranging between 1-2 million VND.

The artisans from Minh Lang village, located in the Red River delta province of Vu Thu district, have captivated overseas customers with their exquisite and sophisticated embroidery skills. Their creations adorn a diverse range of items, from Japanese kimonos to Korean hanboks, as well as household items like bedding and paintings.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the master embroiderers of Minh Lang have been celebrated as the epitome of traditional hand embroidery, earning admiration and wholehearted appreciation from foreign customers. Jean Luc Prevent, a French businessman, expressed his astonishment at Minh Lang's distinctive embroidery style, noting that their designs are particularly beloved by Europeans.

"Through the rich creative thinking of Vietnamese people and their profound heritage, the art of Vietnamese embroidery has rightfully claimed its position as one of the premier art forms, influencing similar European styles," remarked Jean Luc Prevent. Utilizing natural fibers such as wool, linen, and cotton, these exquisite examples of embroidery have been passed down through generations, showcasing the enduring beauty of this traditional craft.

Artisans from Minh Lang employ colored silk threads from reputable firms like DMC and Anchor to create stunning embroidered dresses, bedding, and paintings. The skilled embroiderers must possess a blend of skills, including artistry, precision, patience, and a keen sense of aesthetics. Crafting each kimono, priced between 2,000-3,000 USD, demands a month of dedicated work to achieve the intricate and detailed embroidery.

Prevent expressed his admiration for Vietnamese lace embroidery, noting that many of his countrymen share a fondness for this unique art form. Despite the availability of machine embroidery, there exists a niche market for those who genuinely appreciate the quality and hard work of artisans dedicating their lives to this marvelous craft.

Minh Lang is now home to more than 20 Vietnamese embroidery factories, contributing to the creation of breathtaking traditional costumes for export and generating tens of millions of USD annually. Nobuo Kikuchi, a Japanese businessman, shared his positive experience after ordering 100 kimonos from Vietnam, his first contract with a Vietnamese supplier. He attested that the kimonos exceeded his expectations, citing the refined and sophisticated work of Vietnamese embroidery, which has gained popularity in Japan due to its high quality and reasonable pricing.

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