Kicker: Shawl weaving is officially recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage of Long Khánh A commune. Photo baodongthap.vn

ĐỒNG THÁP — The traditional craft of shawl weaving at Long Khánh A commune in Đồng Tháp Province’s Hồng Ngự District has been officially recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage.

On August 2, the district officials held a ceremony to receive the certification, after the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had included the shawl weaving profession in Long Khánh A commune on the list of national intangible cultural heritage back in May 2023.

The traditional craft village in this island commune has developed over 100 years.

In addition to the main product of bandanas, locals have created other quality varieties such as shirts, áo dài, bags and hats, among others that are popular with tourists.

According to chairman of Hồng Ngự District People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Khơi, Long Khánh A commune at the moment has 58 households pursuing shawl weaving, with 147 looms creating jobs for over 300 local workers.

Every year, the craft village produces and supplies to the market more than five million scarves of all kinds, with prices ranging from VNĐ50,000 to VNĐ160,000, depending on the type, color, and size.

As one of the households with a long shawl weaving tradition in Long Khánh A commune, Huỳnh Hữu Hiệp said that his profession has been passed along many generations.

Shawl weaving has eventually become easier as locals did not have to plant mulberries and raise silkworms like before.

That being said, hand-weaving secures only 20 slots of shawl per day. Together with the scarcity in raw materials, locals’ incomes have not been stable.

"By 2022, with the help of weaving machines, the shawl weaving process has become three to four times more efficient. The recognition of shawl weaving as a national cultural heritage inspires us to work harder and preserve the value of the craft village for our children," Hiệp said. VNS