Travel Guide

Tan Chau Silk Village, located in An Giang province, is renowned for its traditional silk weaving, particularly the production of Lanh My A silk. This type of silk is celebrated for its luxurious quality and distinctive black color, achieved through a meticulous dyeing process using "mặc nưa" berries.

Back then, Lanh My A silk was exclusively reserved for wealthy and noble families. It was worn only during significant occasions such as the three days of Tet (Lunar New Year), ancestor worship ceremonies, weddings, and other important rituals. It was often given as a valuable gift or as a family heirloom. The fabric is cool in summer and warm in winter, resistant to water, and becomes even shinier over time.

The craft of silk weaving in Tan Chau village dates back to the 19th century, closely linked to the cultivation of mulberry trees and silkworm farming. By the 1920s, Long Hung village (now Long Chau ward) was primarily engaged in silk production and later became a major silk center in Southern Vietnam by the 1940s.

During its peak, the sounds of looms and dyeing activities were ubiquitous in Tan Chau. Despite modern challenges, the craft continues to be a source of pride and cultural identity for the region, embodying the elegance and grace of Vietnamese women.

The Crafting Process in Tan Chau Village

To achieve the lustrous and deep black hue of Lanh My A silk, skilled artisans from Tan Chau village must go through numerous labor-intensive steps. The process begins with sericulture, where caring for silkworms is particularly demanding during the "tằm ăn lên" period. Artisans must stay vigilant, feeding the silkworms mulberry leaves. When the silkworms mature, they are placed on frames to spin their cocoons.

The next stage involves extracting the silk threads. This requires boiling the cocoons in large cauldrons over charcoal fires. Artisans use a large stick to stir the boiling cocoons while simultaneously winding the silk onto reels, ensuring that only the empty husks remain in the cauldron.

One of the distinguishing features of the Tan Chau silk village is the use of natural dye from the "mặc nưa" fruit. This fruit, which grows on a type of tree with dark wood and thin leaves, is harvested and crushed to produce a yellowish sap that turns black upon exposure to air and heat. The dyeing process is intricate and requires the silk to be dipped repeatedly—sometimes hundreds of times—into the dye solution to achieve an even and deep color. After dyeing, the silk is sun-dried on large grassy areas, where the grass must be stiff enough to hold the fabric but soft enough to prevent it from scratching.

Once dyed and dried, the silk is washed and rolled into coils, then pounded to allow the resin from the mặc nưa to penetrate into the fibers. This process creates the beautiful, glossy black finish that Lanh My A silk is known for. The process, from weaving to dyeing, takes approximately four months to complete a 500-meter length of Lanh My A silk​.

Getting To Tan Chau Silk Village

Tan Chau Silk Village is in Tan Chau town, An Giang province, in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Direct bus services from Ho Chi Minh City to An Giang are available. The journey takes about 6-8 hours by bus. You can also visit Tan Chau village on a tour provided by a local travel agency.

Best Time to Visit Tan Chau Silk Village

The best time to visit Tan Chau Silk Village is during the dry season, from November to April, to avoid the heavy rains and potential flooding common in the Mekong Delta region.

Nearby Attractions

Chau Doc: Visit nearby Chau Doc, known for its floating markets and the sacred Ba Chua Xu Temple.

Tra Su Forest: Explore the Tra Su Cajuput Forest, a beautiful nature reserve with diverse flora and fauna, ideal for a relaxing boat trip.

=> Mekong Delta 3-Day Tour

=> Tra Su Cajuput Forest & Bird Sanctuary