Lung Tam Linen Weaving Village: Experience Vietnam’s Linen Artistry

Lung Tam Linen Weaving Village is renowned as a historic brocade weaving village inhabited by the Hmong people on the Dong Van plateau, situated in Ha Giang province. Beyond the brocade creations admired by both local and international visitors, the distinctive weaving methods employed in Lung Tam village serve as a significant attraction for tourists in the Quan Ba district.

Discover Lung Tam: The Traditional Linen Weaving Village

A trip to Lung Tam village provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the daily routines of its inhabitants. Hmong women meticulously craft exquisite brocade and linen textiles from flax fibers using traditional looms. Creating a beautiful brocade piece stands as a prominent source of pride for Hmong women.

The Intricate Beauty of Brocade Craftsmanship

The primary material utilized in this craft is flax fiber, compelling each Hmong woman to maintain individual fields dedicated to cultivating flax plants. Post-harvest, the flax plants undergo a soaking process in water to facilitate fiber extraction.

Lung Tam Village

These extracted fibers are subsequently rolled and steamed, enhancing their softness. Natural dyes are derived from forest leaves and wood, ensuring the locally sourced and environmentally conscious coloration of the fibers.

Crafting a Masterpiece

Producing a quality piece demands meticulous effort. Following the weaving stage, Hmong women cleanse the brocade and linen and apply beeswax to impart a smooth and lustrous finish to the material. The cloth is then submerged in an indigo solution for approximately one hour before being dried. This sequence is repeated between five and six times. The final dying phase is heavily influenced by prevailing weather conditions, requiring about three to four days in sunny weather and extending to several months during the rainy season. The meticulous dying procedure ensures that Hmong fabrics retain fresh and enduring colors.

Weaving the design

Incorporating patterns into brocade is a defining element in Lung Tam villagers’ weaving practices. Each design is meticulously embroidered by hand, secured beneath cloth, and then drawn using beeswax.

Today, the Lung Tam weaving village showcases a diverse range of products inclusive of dresses, bags, wallets, and various cloth items. Each piece, fashioned by the skilled hands of Hmong artisans, embodies the cultural heritage of those indigenous to the Dong Van plateau.

Thanks to its distinct materials and vibrant designs, Lung Tam village’s products are widely sold across the nation, in addition to being exported to over 20 countries, including the United States, Japan, and Switzerland.

How to Get to Lung Tam?

The village resides in Hop Tien Village, Lung Tam Commune, Quan Ba District, Ha Giang. Its proximity places it roughly 50km from Ha Giang City’s center and in close proximity to the iconic Quan Ba twin mountains.

While nestled within a region characterized by elevated mountains, access to Lung Tam is remarkably straightforward. Travelers can follow the Vietnam National Highway 4C, eliminating the need to navigate difficult or rugged terrains.

For visitors journeying from Ha Giang City to the brocade weaving village, the following two routes are available:

• Ha Giang City – Nguyen Trai Street – National Highway 4C – Coc Tieng – Bac Sum Slope – Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate – Quan Ba Twin Mountains – Can Billion – Lung Tam Valley – Road 181 – Brocade Village.
• Ha Giang City – Nguyen Trai Street – National Highway 4C – Thuan Hoa Bridge – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Thuan Hoa Market – A Boong Waterfall – Road 181 – Brocade Village.

Accessibility is aided by the convenient road conditions, allowing travel via motorbike or private vehicle. Renting a motorbike presents the added benefit of enabling travelers to pause at various scenic points along the route and fully embrace the surrounding landscape.

Engaging Cultural Activities in Lung Tam

Experience the beauty of traditional Hmong attire and the quality of handcrafted fabrics by trying on the traditional costumes filled with vibrant colors that contrast beautifully against the lush green backdrop of the surrounding mountains and forests.

Experience the Finesse of Flax Weaving Techniques

Delve into the intricate production process behind traditional linen. The complex stages demand meticulous attention and unwavering patience. The creation process requires a degree of fitness and flexibility, too.

Lung Tam Village

According to the Hmong’s traditions, each woman, upon reaching adulthood, receives a plot of land for flax cultivation. After two months, the plants can be harvested and transformed into yarn.

When flax reaches maturity, the leaves are plucked, and the stems are soaked in water. Fibers are then extracted, rolled into a frame, and spun until they soften before undergoing boiling or steaming.

Next, the yarn undergoes the painstaking process of being woven into fabric, demanding high technical skill and ingenuity. Theyaving is carried out on homemade looms with the upper part of the frame attached to a pole or wall, with a belt worn around the weaver’s back. Through precision and patience, the linen sheet takes shape.

Subsequent steps involve washing the cloth several times to purify it, then vigorously rubbing it with boulders or logs to make it white, soft, and shiny. All coloring is sourced naturally from the leaves, forest trees, bark, and roots of specific plants, thereby eliminating the need for any chemicals.

The practice of using indigo leaves for dyeing is particularly valued. The material is soaked in an indigo solution for about an hour and then dried in the sun. This sequence is repeated multiple times until a lustrous and vibrant hue is achieved. The drying stage can take up to two months, so the colors obtained are expected to be very resistant to the effects of time.

The final stage entails decorating the fabric with various designs and motifs, including circles, triangles, squares, and flowers. These motifs are either embroidered by hand with needles or rendered using beeswax, the last mentioned being employed to enhance the beauty of the white fabrics.

Connect with the Cultural Roots of Linen Weaving Through a Hands-On Experience

When visiting and exploring the weaving village, you can not only learn about weaving techniques and see the handmade products here, but also participate in the weaving process. You will be able to sit and embroider and weave fabrics like a local.

Each stage will be clearly guided to ensure you enjoy the experience. Certainly, you will feel very interested and understand more about the seemingly easy, but so hard to do.

Celebrate Traditional Handicrafts

If you seek to purchase quality handcrafted products, consider exploring the various shops displaying brocade items crafted by the locals. These include items such as stuffed animals, coasters, jewelry, hats, fabrics, clothes, rugs, and more, each representing a unique design and available at prices ranging from a few tens of thousands to several million VND.

Lung Tam Village

Due to their beauty, uniqueness, and environmental friendliness, the products from the textile village are popular in foreign markets and are valued by national airlines.

Must-See Places Around Lung Tam

When visiting the Lung Tam Weaving Village, take an opportunity to explore nearby sites. Here are must-see attractions near the village.

Gain Perspective at Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate

Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate is 43 kilometers from Ha Giang City’s center, reaching 1500 meters above sea level between two mountain peaks. The scenic mountain pass provides views of Ha Giang’s stunning valleys and peaks.

Discover Nature at Quan Ba Twin Mountain

Quan Ba Twin Mountain, or Co Tien Twin Mountain, is about 40 kilometers from Ha Giang city’s center, on National Highway 4C, Tam Son Town, Quan Ba, Ha Giang. Its appearance varies with the seasons, showcasing the pink of buckwheat flowers, the gold of ripe rice fields, or the blue sky.

Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of Yen Minh Pine Forest

Yen Minh Pine Forest boasts a wild and majestic atmosphere, providing enriching experiences for visitors. Its natural beauty and tranquil environment present an ideal destination for those seeking exploration and relaxation amidst wild nature.

Hmong’s tradition of making linen fabrics will continue to develop because of the values its products bring to society, delivering unique qualities compared to fabrics produced using only technology and chemistry. This experience is extremely interesting if you love delicate handmade products containing a lot of art from the skillful hands of local artisans.

Explore Ha Giang by motorbike, car or jeep with Vietnam Treasure

Setting out on the Ha Giang Loop with Vietnam Treasure—by motorcycle, car, or jeep—offers an unforgettable journey through stunning mountain landscapes, winding roads, and vibrant ethnic villages nestled in Vietnam’s northern highlands.

Ha Giang loop tour: 3 days, 2 nights

Prices starting from US $169.00/pax

Ha Giang loop tour: 4 days, 3 nights

Prices starting from US $199.00/pax

Ha Giang loop tour: 5 days, 4 nights

Prices starting from US $245.00/pax

If you are interested in this place, please contact Vietnam Treasure for further advice as well as to schedule your sightseeing trip!