Tan Chau silk, especially the renowned Lanh My A, has long been a symbol of luxury, sophistication, and Vietnamese traditional cultural beauty. More than just a handicraft product, Tan Chau silk embodies a historical narrative, a meticulous labor process, and the dedication of generations of artisans. Join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around The World) on a tour to Tan Chau silk weaving village, where you will not only admire the beauty of soft silk fabrics but also immerse yourself in a unique cultural space and experience fascinating traditional silk-making steps.
Introducing Tan Chau Silk Weaving Village – “The Kingdom of Lanh My A”
Tan Chau silk weaving village, located in Tan Chau town, An Giang province, was established in the early 20th century. This place is known as the “kingdom of Lanh My A” because this special black silk product has made the name and prosperity for the land. Lanh My A is not only famous domestically but has also reached international recognition, once being the dream of the upper class and nobles in many countries.
The uniqueness of Lanh My A lies in its premium natural silk material, softness, durability, excellent sweat absorption, and unique hand-dyeing process using mac nua fruit. These factors have created the distinct value of Lanh My A, which is both highly aesthetic, environmentally friendly, and of great economic value. Through historical ups and downs, Tan Chau silk weaving village still maintains its flame of passion, continuing to produce quality silk products, contributing to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of the nation.
Journey to Explore Tan Chau Silk Weaving Village
The Tan Chau silk weaving village tour will take you on a colorful and emotional journey of experience, exploring each meticulous step to create precious silk fabrics.
Visiting silk production stages: You will witness firsthand the silkworm rearing process, starting from taking care of lush mulberry trees, nurturing silkworms to spin silky cocoons. Next is the silk reeling and weaving stage on traditional looms, where delicate silk threads gradually appear into soft fabrics.
Meeting artisans and learning about the craft stories: The silk weaving artisans in Tan Chau are not only skilled workers but also keepers of the village’s soul. You will have the opportunity to chat, listen to stories about the village’s history, family secrets, and passion for traditional silk craft.
Experiencing silk dyeing with mac nua fruit: This is a unique and interesting experience that you cannot miss when visiting Tan Chau village. Mac nua fruit, a typical forest fruit of this land, is the secret to creating the characteristic glossy black color of Lanh My A. You will be guided on how to dye silk with mac nua fruit, a process that requires meticulousness and patience, to better understand the handicraft value of the product.
Visiting production facilities and shopping for products: Visiting silk production facilities in the village, you will admire the traditional working space, watch artisans operate on looms, and choose the most satisfactory Tan Chau silk products as gifts. From legendary Lanh My A to various types of silk, you will find unique gifts imbued with local cultural imprints.
Artisan in Tan Chau village dyeing Lanh My A silk with mac nua fruit
Local Cuisine and Tan Chau Cultural Experiences
In addition to exploring the silk weaving village, the Tan Chau tour also offers you the opportunity to experience unique local cuisine and discover other unique cultural features of this land.
Tan Chau specialty cuisine: An Giang in general and Tan Chau in particular are famous for many delicious dishes imbued with the flavor of the Mekong Delta. You can enjoy specialties such as “bún cá” (fish noodle soup), “lẩu mắm” (fermented fish hotpot), “bánh bò thốt nốt” (palmyra palm sugar honeycomb cake), “gỏi sầu đâu” (neem flower salad) and many other rustic dishes. In particular, you cannot miss the famous “cá tra dầu” (giant pangasius), a specialty of Tan Chau, the “capital of juvenile pangasius catfish”.
Exploring local culture: Tan Chau is also a cultural intersection of many ethnic groups such as Kinh, Cham, Hoa, Khmer, creating diversity and richness in cultural life. You can visit Chau Giang Cham village to learn about the unique culture, architecture, and cuisine of the Cham people (Islam). In addition, Tan Chau also has many ancient pagodas and temples, bearing bold spiritual cultural imprints, ideal destinations for those who want to learn about local history and beliefs.
Tips and Experiences for Traveling to Tan Chau Silk Weaving Village
To have a complete and meaningful trip to Tan Chau silk weaving village, you can refer to some tips and experiences below:
Best time to go: The dry season (from December to April) is the best time to visit Tan Chau, with dry and sunny weather, favorable for sightseeing and experiencing outdoor activities.
How to get to Tan Chau: Tan Chau is about 250km from Ho Chi Minh City and about 120km from Can Tho City. You can travel by bus or motorbike from major cities. If traveling from Ho Chi Minh City, you can take a high-quality bus to Chau Doc, then take a motorbike taxi or taxi to Tan Chau.
Accommodation and dining: In Tan Chau, there are many guesthouses, hotels, and homestays with affordable prices. You can choose accommodation that suits your needs and budget. For dining, you can enjoy specialties at local eateries or restaurants in the town.
Shopping for souvenirs: Tan Chau silk is definitely the most meaningful souvenir you can buy for relatives and friends. In addition, you can also buy other handicrafts, local specialties such as “mắm” (fermented fish sauce), dried goods, cakes, candies…
Hong Ngoc silk weaving facility displaying Tan Chau silk products
Conclusion: Invitation and Affirmation of the Value of Silk Village Tours
Tan Chau silk weaving village tour is not only a journey to discover the beauty of silk but also an opportunity for you to learn about the history, culture, and people of An Giang. This is a unique and meaningful travel experience, helping you connect with traditional values and feel the quintessence of Vietnamese handicrafts. Come to Tan Chau silk weaving village to witness with your own eyes, touch the soft silk fabrics, and fully feel the beauty of the nation’s traditional culture.