SILKY SMOOTH - A scene in the 31-part series Lụa (Silk), a TV show featuring the long tradition of silk production and silk weaving in southern and central regions. (Photo courtesy of the producer)

HCM CITY — A TV series about the long tradition of silk production and silk weaving in southern and central regions will be released next week. 

The 31-part series called Lụa (Silk) portrays the lives of young farmers living in Duy Xuyên Village of Quảng Nam Province who make Vietnamese silk, love traditional values and have national pride.

Local female entrepreneurs who develop the Vietnamese silk brand are also highlighted. 

It focuses on Khánh Thư and the difficulties in life and work that rural women face daily. Thư works hard to develop her village’s traditional business, silk weaving. Her dream is to build and develop a brand of Vietnamese silk. 

For thousands of years, silk production and silk weaving have been closely associated with Vietnamese historical, cultural and social development.

Việt Nam is one of the world's top six silk producers, the third largest silk exporter in Asia, and the sixth in the world. 

RURAL LIFE - Lụa (Silk) portrays the lives of young farmers living in Duy Xuyên Village of Quảng Nam Province, who make Vietnamese silk, love traditional values and have national pride. (Photo courtesy of the producer)

The film’s director, Trần Đức Long, wants to show how silk has become part of national cultural and social life, as it helps make the beauty of Việt Nam, often through the image of the national costume áo dài (traditional long dress).

Young women in the rural areas and how they are able to fight for their careers are also highlighted.

Director Long said key parts of the series were rewritten during shooting to meet the taste of young audiences.

“Our series is more than the Vietnamese silk business; it is about Vietnamese culture and lifestyle,” said Long, winner of the Golden Medal for Best Director at 40th National TV Films Festival in Hà Nội last year.  

Long’s staff travelled and worked with local farmers of Quảng Nam to capture beautiful scenes of traditional crafts and culture. 

He invited young talents Oanh Kiều, Thành Trung and Đạt Nguyễn to play leading roles. 

Fashion designer Bảo Nam produced more than 200 costumes for the film's characters. 

The film’s producer, HCM City Television Film Studio, spent several billion đồng on the production. 

Lụa airs on HTV7 at 7:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday starting from March 6.— VNS