Nestled in the countryside of Hung Yen province, Thu Sy Village stands as a timeless gem, preserving the rich cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship of Northern Vietnam. 

For over two centuries, the people of Thu Sy village have relied on bamboo weaving for their livelihoods. Although it is no longer the main source of income, the locals have turned this place into an interesting touristic destination, where everyone can come and freely admire the beautiful craft and take photos.

Join us on a journey to explore the hidden treasures and vibrant traditions of Thu Sy Weaving Village in Hung Yen and delve into the history, culture, and craftsmanship that define the village.

What Is That?

You might be thinking, “What are those things, and what do they do?” Those are fish traps, called “đó,” made from bamboo and rattan, with an oval shape, a pointed tail, and a small round mouth covered by a lid. These traps are placed in channels and rivers, strategically positioned against the water flow to catch fish. Skill and precision are required in making these traps. Each trap requires around 20 bamboo joints and 25 bamboo splits, and the weaving technique varies depending on the part of the trap being made. The traps are sold at a relatively low price, only 35,000 - 40,000 VND apiece.

Thu Sy Village

In Thu Sy village, there are about 500 people keeping the craft alive. The people of Thu Sy have been sticking with bamboo weaving for over 2 centuries. You can see elderly men and women sitting in front of their porches, their hands skillfully weaving while joyfully sharing family and neighborhood stories. In the past, during leisure time, everyone in Thu Sy would weave, sometimes all day long. Children would learn how to weave from a very early age, sometimes as early as the age of four.

200-Year-Old Craft

Mr. Luong Son Bac's family has been in the business for nearly 200 years. You can learn how the products are made while being in awe of how agile Mr. Luong still is, despite being over 80 years old. He has traveled everywhere, introducing these woven products to Hanoi, Saigon, then the USA, and Germany. His family would weave together, each member with a different task.

After preparing the bamboo and rattan materials, the weaving process begins. The artisans typically select mature bamboo and rattan for the traps to be durable. A skilled weaver takes about 60 minutes to complete one product. The bamboo strips must be split, dried, and soaked in limewater. Then they're smoked, with even heat, no sudden bursts. It takes three rounds of smoking for the product to come out beautiful, and according to Mr. Luong, the women are better at this part of the process. Once the products were finished, the men in Thu Sy village would transport them on bicycles to sell in provinces such as Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, and Ha Nam.

Today, people are gradually adopting modern fishing methods, and traditional fishing tools like these are no longer widely used. However, these fish traps are mostly used for decoration and are sometimes exported abroad. 

Despite concerns about the craft village being on the verge of disappearing, Mr. Luong confidently says, "This craft will never perish; perhaps it will just be used less than before. Every day, there are still children in this village who love bamboo weaving, attending school in the morning and learning weaving with their grandparents in the afternoon. They will be the next generation to continue this traditional craft."

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