Preserving the art of Pa Xa Lào brocade weaving

ĐBP - Nestled at the foot of majestic mountains, Pa Xa Lào Village in Pa Thơm Commune, Điện Biên District, Điện Biên Province is home to the time-honored brocade weaving tradition of the Lao ethnic group. Every thread and pattern reflects the meticulous craftsmanship of the local women, weaving stories of life, culture, and ethnic identity. However, amid the rapid pace of modern life, brocade weaving in Pa Xa Lào is still struggling.

Ms. Lò Thị Vân, who leads the Pa Xa Lào Brocade Weaving Cooperative, has dedicated her life to the loom and the intricate art of brocade weaving. With calloused hands and eyes gleaming with pride, she admits that while preserving the craft is challenging, expanding it is an even greater struggle.

For Vân, the rhythmic creaking of the loom was an inseparable part of daily life from childhood. Women in the village would weave in their spare time, with every thread and stitch embodying patience, familial love, and a deep reverence for their heritage.

Each pattern in brocade weaving carries a unique meaning.

She recalled growing up to the rhythmic sound of the loom and the sight of her mother spinning thread by hand. She shared that in the past, every girl in the village knew how to weave, and brocade was not just a daily necessity but also a way through which mothers expressed their love in every stitch.

According to Vân, Pa Xa Lào’s brocade stands out for its unique beauty, as its patterns are not randomly designed but inspired by memories, nature, and ethnic traditions. Each motif tells a story of rivers, mountains, and dreams of prosperity and happiness. A single brocade piece can capture the very soul of the Lao people.

Despite its deep cultural and spiritual significance, brocade weaving in Pa Xa Lào is facing numerous challenges. The greatest hurdle is the lack of successors, as younger generations leave the village for education and jobs in the cities, gradually losing their connection to traditional crafts.

“The younger generation now studies far from home and works in the city. No one wants to spend days weaving a single piece of fabric anymore. In the past, mothers and grandmothers passed the craft down to their daughters, but today, young people have little interest in the loom”,  Vân said with a sigh.

Apart from the shortage of successors, finding a stable market for brocade products remains a significant challenge. Despite earning a three-star OCOP (One Commune One Product) certification at the provincial level, the cooperative struggles with limited consumer demand. Expanding the market is difficult, as modern consumers favor convenient, mass-produced goods. Moreover, many artisans lack familiarity with technology and rely primarily on trade fairs or small-scale tourism sales. This instability makes it hard to scale up production.

The Pa Xa Lào Brocade Weaving Cooperative is currently facing many challenges.

“We can only sell at fairs or rely on small tourist orders. Selling online is difficult because we do not know how”,  Vân admitted.

The rise of mass-produced textiles has further diminished the value of handmade brocade. Industrial fabrics, with their lower costs and diverse designs, dominate the market, putting Pa Xa Lào’s traditional craft in a precarious position.

Yet, these challenges have not deterred the women of Pa Xa Lào. The Pa Xa Lào Brocade Weaving Cooperative was established to bring artisans together in preserving and promoting their heritage craft. At a trade fair, Vân learned how to photograph products and showcase them on social media. Initially, it was difficult for someone unfamiliar with technology, but with persistence, she gradually adapted to using a smartphone and online platforms.

“Posting our products online has helped more people discover our brocade weaving”,  she said excitedly

To support traditional crafts, local authorities have taken proactive measures, organizing vocational training programs, workshops, and promotional initiatives to help artisans reach broader markets. Cooperative members now participate in major trade fairs and receive equipment support. While these efforts do not resolve all challenges, they represent important strides forward.

Another encouraging shift is the growing interest from tourists and cultural researchers. Many visitors not only purchase brocade products but also seek to understand the weaving process and the meanings behind the intricate patterns. This renewed appreciation inspires artisans to continue their craft. More importantly, Vân hopes young people will return to learn the trade and contribute to the cooperative’s growth.

Mostly elderly women are keeping the tradition alive.

“Preserving this craft is not just about making a living. It is about keeping the soul of our village alive and honoring our ancestors. If the younger generation understands that this is not just a job but a vital part of our ethnic identity, the craft will never disappear. If we lose the craft, we lose a part of who we are”,  she affirmed

In Pa Xa Lào, women like Vân are the silent guardians of traditional brocade weaving. They do not merely craft vibrant textiles; they weave pride and love for their homeland. Each brocade piece embodies not only the artisans’ skills and artistry but also the story of a resilient village adapting to the current period.

“We do not just weave for income, but for future generations. No matter how hard it gets, we will keep this craft alive”,  Vân declared, her eyes filled with determination.

Thu Thảo
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'In the heart of revolutionary soldiers

    In the heart of revolutionary soldiers

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Fifty years ago, under the sound leadership of the Party, led by beloved President Hồ Chí Minh, the people and soldiers of Vietnam united with resolve, courage, and determination to win the historic Great Spring Victory of 1975. Half a century later, memories of that glorious time remain deeply etched in the heart of revolutionary soldiers with a fierce sense of pride.
  • 'Điện Biên ready to welcome tourists

    Điện Biên ready to welcome tourists

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - As the holiday season approaches, the atmosphere at tourist destinations across Điện Biên is becoming increasingly vibrant. From the historic sites of heroic victories to eco-tourism destinations, preparations are in full swing with the goal of providing the best possible service as visitor numbers are expected to surge. Điện Biên tourism is ready to welcome visitors to explore and experience this land of rich history and culture.
  • 'High-value chicken farming project in Mường Ảng

    High-value chicken farming project in Mường Ảng

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Launched in October 2024, the community-based H’Mông commercial chicken farming support project under Subproject 2, Project 3 of the National Target Program on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in Mường Ảng district, Điện Biên province has yielded positive results.
  • 'The South in the heart of Điện Biên

    The South in the heart of Điện Biên

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Exactly one year ago, Điện Biên was adorned with flags and flowers, bustling with pride as it celebrated the 70th anniversary of the glorious victory of Điện Biên Phủ, renowned across the world and shaking the earth.
  • 'Điện Biên to further promote education quality

    Điện Biên to further promote education quality

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In response to the fundamental and comprehensive reform requirements, the Department of Education and Training of Điện Biên province has rigorously implemented Circular No.29/2024/TT-BGDĐT issued by the Ministry of Education and Training regarding extra classes.
  • 'Điện Biên to further preserving culture amid administrative restructuring

    Điện Biên to further preserving culture amid administrative restructuring

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - Localities across the country are urgently and decisively implementing the policy of merging administrative units at the provincial level, reviewing and expanding the commune level to streamline the administrative apparatus and reduce intermediaries. While the province grows larger, and districts are eliminated, with communes being expanded, this process helps simplify the political system but also brings many challenges, including preserving traditional culture.
  • 'Ensuring food safety for public health

    Ensuring food safety for public health

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Food safety has always been a top priority, especially in the context of unsafe and untraceable food still infiltrating the market. In order to enhance the management and oversight of food safety, particularly in collective kitchens and school canteens, the Điện Biên province’s Bureau of Food Safety and Hygiene (BFSH) has been closely collaborating with relevant units to implement a variety of inspection, awareness-raising, and comprehensive monitoring measures.
  • 'Nà Tấu leads by example in embracing Hồ Chí Minh’s example

    Nà Tấu leads by example in embracing Hồ Chí Minh’s example

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP -  In recent years, the Party Committee of Nà Tấu commune (Điện Biên Phủ city, Điện Biên province) has made studying and following Hồ Chí Minh’s ideology, morality, and style a regular and voluntary practice among all officials, Party members, and residents. This has significantly contributed to Party building and socio-economic development in the area.
  • 'Điện Biên holds April press briefing

    Điện Biên holds April press briefing

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On the morning of April 23, the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education, and Mass Mobilization held the press conference in April press briefing to review media performance and provide communication guidelines for May 2025.
  • 'Điện Biên does utmost to care for children

    Điện Biên does utmost to care for children

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Children are the future owners of the country, which is why the care and protection of children has always been a priority for all levels and sectors in Điện Biên province. The goal is to create the best conditions for children to study, play, and develop comprehensively.
  • 'Museum modernization in digital age

    Museum modernization in digital age

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - A new wave of digital technology is sweeping across the museums in Điện Biên province, directly impacting exhibition spaces, storage facilities, and creating new ways for the public to “touch” history in a more vivid and accessible manner. The digital transformation efforts of local museums are gradually modernizing the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in this historically significant region of the far West of Vietnam.
  • 'Gratitude and comradeship: 50 Years After the South Liberation and National Reunification

    Gratitude and comradeship: 50 Years After the South Liberation and National Reunification

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Fifty years after the reunification of the North and South, the entire nation is now living in peace and independence. The country continues to develop, but the pain and losses caused by the war cannot be replaced or expressed in words. With all sincerity and gratitude, the political system has been implementing policies to support the military’s rear, helping to ensure a more stable life for revolutionary soldiers.
  • 'Nậm Pồ makes efforts in handling corruption and misconduct

    Nậm Pồ makes efforts in handling corruption and misconduct

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP -  Enhancing the leadership capacity, combativeness, and exemplary pioneering role of Party organizations and members is among the practical and effective measures being implemented by the Nậm Pồ district’s Party Committee to strengthen the Party’s leadership in the fight against corruption and misconduct.
  • 'Supporting people with disabilities to overcome life’s challenges

    Supporting people with disabilities to overcome life’s challenges

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The support for people with disabilities to thrive in life is a consistent policy of the Party and State. In Điện Biên province, alongside the attention from the Party and State, the provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and the Protection of Children’s Rights has mobilized many resources to support and care for people with disabilities. These practical activities help people with disabilities overcome difficulties to rise and integrate into society.