Tan Chau silk, especially the renowned Lãnh Mỹ A, has long been a symbol of Vietnamese elegance, sophistication, and cultural identity. Visiting Tan Chau silk village offers a unique opportunity to witness the traditional handmade silk production process, immerse yourself in the local cultural space, discover historical stories, and experience the peaceful life of the silk village people. A trip to Tan Chau silk village promises unforgettable memories of a beautiful and culturally rich Vietnam.
History of Tan Chau Silk Village: From Golden Era to Present
Tan Chau silk village originated in the early 20th century in the ancient Tam Phong Long region, now Tan Chau town, An Giang province. This area has been famous for mulberry cultivation, silkworm breeding, and silk weaving for a long time. According to the elderly artisans in the village, silk weaving has deeply rooted itself in the lives of the people, becoming an integral part of the local culture.
The golden age of the village is closely associated with Lãnh Mỹ A, a distinctive black glossy silk, known as the “queen of silks.” Lãnh Mỹ A is famous for its softness, durability, excellent sweat absorption, and especially its natural jet-black color, dyed from the rare Mac Nua fruit. Thanks to these outstanding advantages, Lãnh Mỹ A was once the desire of the upper class and nobles both domestically and internationally, and was exported to many countries such as Indonesia, India, Singapore, Philippines, France, Italy, and more.
Display of Tan Chau silk products at a weaving and dyeing facility, showcasing the richness and diversity of traditional silk products.
The development of silk weaving contributed to Tan Chau becoming a prosperous land, with a bustling trading port. Tan Chau silk not only brought economic value but also cultural pride to the local people, appearing in poetry, music, and painting, becoming a symbol of the gentle and virtuous beauty of An Giang women.
Despite many ups and downs, and a period of decline due to competition from industrial fabrics, thanks to the dedication of artisans in preserving the traditional craft and the support of local authorities, Tan Chau silk village is gradually reviving and developing. Many production facilities have boldly invested, improved techniques, diversified products, and combined craft village tourism to promote and sell products, opening a new chapter for the traditional silk village.
Lãnh Mỹ A: The Queen of Silks
Lãnh Mỹ A is not just an ordinary silk product but also the quintessence of Tan Chau silk weaving, the culmination of meticulousness, sophistication, and unique secrets of the artisans. The production process of Lãnh Mỹ A involves many complex stages, requiring the skill and experience of the weaver.
The main raw material for creating Lãnh Mỹ A is natural silk, carefully selected from healthy silkworms fed with fresh mulberry leaves. After reeling, the silk is drawn into threads and then put on a loom to create raw silk fabric. The special feature and what makes the unique value of Lãnh Mỹ A is the dyeing process using Mac Nua fruit.
Mac Nua fruit is a type of forest fruit with black resin, which has been used by Tan Chau people to dye silk for generations. The process of dyeing silk with Mac Nua is very elaborate and time-consuming. The silk fabric must undergo many dyeing sessions, each time requiring sun-drying and continuous fabric pounding to ensure the black color penetrates deeply and evenly into each silk fiber. It is thanks to this special dyeing technique that Lãnh Mỹ A achieves its glossy black color, which does not fade over time and becomes more beautiful with wear.
Tan Chau silk village artisan using Mac Nua fruit to dye Lãnh Mỹ A silk, a unique traditional technique creating the characteristic black color of the silk.
Lãnh Mỹ A is not only beautiful in color but also has superior quality. The silk fibers are soft, breathable, and absorb sweat well, creating a comfortable feeling for the wearer. In particular, Lãnh Mỹ A is very durable and can be used for a long time, even passed down from generation to generation. With its unique values in quality and aesthetics, Lãnh Mỹ A deserves to be the “queen” in the world of Vietnamese silk.
Experiencing Tourism in Tan Chau Silk Village
Traveling to Tan Chau silk village is a journey of cultural discovery and memorable experiences. Here, visitors will immerse themselves in the peaceful rural space, learn about the traditional silk production process, and interact with dedicated artisans.
Visiting silk weaving facilities: Visitors can visit famous silk weaving facilities in the village such as Hong Ngoc weaving and dyeing facility, the workshops of Mr. Tam Lang’s family, Ms. Le Thi Kieu Hanh… Here, visitors will witness firsthand the handmade silk weaving process, from mulberry cultivation, silkworm breeding, reeling, weaving to dyeing. The artisans will enthusiastically share their professional secrets, stories associated with the silk craft, and the difficulties and challenges in preserving and developing the traditional craft.
Experiencing silk-making stages: Visitors can participate in interesting experiential activities such as picking Mac Nua fruit, trying fabric dyeing, practicing weaving on a loom… This is a great opportunity to better understand the sophistication and meticulousness of the silk weaving craft and to appreciate traditional silk products more.
Shopping for silk products: When visiting Tan Chau silk village, visitors cannot miss the opportunity to shop for quality silk products, diverse in designs and types. From the famous Lãnh Mỹ A, brocade fabric, scarves, ao dai, to silk handicrafts, visitors can choose meaningful gifts for themselves and loved ones. Shopping directly at the craft village is also a way to support and contribute to maintaining and developing the local traditional craft.
Exploring local culture: In addition to the craft village experience, visitors can combine visits to other tourist attractions in Tan Chau such as the Cham village, the basa fish seed capital, historical and cultural relics, spiritual sites… and enjoy the unique cuisine of An Giang.
Tips for Traveling to Tan Chau Silk Village
To make your trip to Tan Chau silk village more complete, visitors can refer to some useful tips below:
- Ideal time to visit: The dry season (from December to April) is the most suitable time to visit Tan Chau. The weather is dry and sunny, favorable for sightseeing and experiences.
- Transportation: Tan Chau is about 30km from Chau Doc city and about 50km from Long Xuyen city. Visitors can travel by motorbike, car, or bus from major cities to Tan Chau. In the craft village, visitors can rent bicycles or motorbikes to explore.
- Accommodation: There are many guesthouses and hotels in Tan Chau with affordable prices. Visitors can also choose to stay at homestays in the craft village for a closer experience to the local life.
- Shopping: When shopping for silk in the craft village, visitors should refer to prices at different stores and bargain to buy satisfactory products at the best price. Check the product quality carefully before buying.
- Dining: Tan Chau has many attractive specialties such as Bun Ca (fish noodle soup), Lau Mam (fermented fish hotpot), Banh Bo Thot Not (palmyra palm sugar sponge cake)… Visitors can enjoy local cuisine at eateries and restaurants in the town or in the craft village.
Conclusion
Traveling to Tan Chau silk village is not only a journey to discover the beauty of traditional silk products but also an opportunity to learn about the culture, history, and people of An Giang. With unique and meaningful experiences, Tan Chau silk village deserves to be an attractive destination on the Vietnam tourism map, contributing to preserving and promoting the value of precious traditional crafts. Come and feel the rustic, genuine, and captivating beauty of Tan Chau silk village!