Listening to the radio has become a long-standing routine for Lò Văn Lần in Quan Chiêng village, Mường Lay ward. In particular, stories about Uncle Hồ have deeply permeated his thoughts, motivating him to study and follow Uncle Hồ from simple words to everyday deeds.

According to Lò Văn Lần, studying Uncle Hồ is not something abstract, but found in simple everyday actions. Lò Văn Lần shared that if one works in agriculture, one must cultivate fields diligently, and whatever trade one pursues, one must invest full dedication and responsibility. Chairs sold to others must be sturdy and beautiful; if not yet satisfied, one must fix them rather than working carelessly. Furthermore, mastering the trade means passing it on to children, grandchildren, and villagers. Doing such concrete things well also embodies studying and following Uncle Hồ, he noted, before carefully checking each binding on a newly completed chair.

As taught by Uncle Hồ, diligence means working hard, systematically, creatively, and productively, while thriftiness encompasses valuing and saving time. Lò Văn Lần studies and follows Uncle Hồ in the manner of a true farmer: whenever field work eases, his hands immediately turn to rattan and cane weaving.

Taking advantage of idle agricultural periods, Lò Văn Lần crafts rattan chairs to generate additional income for his family. Producing a durable rattan chair requires numerous intricate stages. Mature, sturdy, and pliable rattan and cane stalks are peeled, cleaned, sun-dried, or placed above hearths to enhance durability and resist termites before being whittled smooth. The most challenging step is bending large rattan canes into circular rims for seat surfaces, legs, and frames. Some rigid stalks require the combined strength of several people to wrap them around house pillars, bending, pulling tightly, and binding them in place. Around two months later, once the rattan has dried and retained its shape, it is untied and cut into sections of required dimensions.

Once the chair frame is erected symmetrically and sturdily, Lò Văn Lần begins the weaving process. Each rattan strand is woven evenly and every joint is tightened entirely by hand. After weaving, excess parts are trimmed, surfaces are sanded smooth, and the balance and load-bearing capacity are thoroughly checked before delivery. In handicrafts, minor defects are hard to conceal because true quality reveals itself through use. Thus, making sturdy, aesthetically pleasing chairs fulfills technical standards while reflecting deep respect for buyers, which Lò Văn Lần regards as the guiding principle to preserve the craft and uphold a craftsman’s reputation.

Valuing time is Lò Văn Lần’s way of cultivating self-discipline, while passing on the craft is how he makes his experience beneficial to fellow villagers. Thanks to his devoted guidance, Quan Chiêng village currently has 10 households, including young couples who cherish their ethnic traditional craft, maintaining it to generate additional livelihoods.

In March 2026, Quan Chiêng Community Tourism Cooperative was established, orienting economic development in tandem with preserving Thái ethnic culture. Under this orientation, households practicing bamboo and rattan weaving provide the village with authentic handicrafts to showcase to visitors, opening opportunities to integrate the craft into local experiential cultural tourism. The persistent dedication to teaching by artisans like Lò Văn Lần thus carries enduring significance.

Studying Uncle Hồ through concrete deeds and cultivating self-discipline through labor have also been applied by Lò Văn Lần in raising his children. Both of his children have grown up, secured stable employment, and contributed meaningfully to the community.

Lò Văn Thiện, Head of Quan Chiêng village, noted that Lò Văn Lần is hardworking, meticulous, and responsible toward his family and community, adding that 10 households across the village maintaining the bamboo and rattan craft have benefited greatly from Lò Văn Lần’s dedicated mentorship.

Inside the home alongside the Đà River, the radio continues to sound steadily alongside the rhythmic whittling of rattan knives and skillful weaving hands. Lò Văn Lần preserves the craft with his hands, while over the years, the craft molds character, preserves familial traditions, and expands livelihoods for the village.