With skillful hands, people of Na Tau commune, Dien Bien Phu city, Dien Bien province have turned rattan and bamboo into sophisticated handicraft products. This traditional craft not only helps preserve the national cultural identity but also brings a stable source of income for each family.
With nearly 50 years of experience in the traditional craft of bamboo and rattan weaving, Mr. Quang Van Phich - Na Tau 1 village, Na Tau commune, Dien Bien Phu city - said: "The craft of bamboo and rattan weaving has been with me since I was a child. Each product made carries the passion of the craftsman. Although life has changed a lot, this craft is still passed down from generation to generation in my family."
With his skillful hands, Mr. Phich has created extremely sophisticated rattan and bamboo products, from simple baskets and trays to elaborate chairs and dining trays. His products are not only popular with the people of the province but also sought after by tourists from all over the world.
The price of the products varies from 10,000 VND to 400,000 VND depending on the type. There are especially high-end products such as rattan rice trays that are sold for 1.5 million VND.
With the level of maintaining regular production like some families in Na Tau 1 village, Na Tau commune today, the average income reaches about more than 3 million VND/person/month from the bamboo and rattan weaving profession. Thanks to that, the lives of many people have improved significantly.
However, according to Mr. Phich, the bamboo and rattan weaving profession is currently facing many difficulties. Raw materials are increasingly scarce and especially there is a shortage of young human resources. Many young people today are not very interested in the traditional profession, looking for other jobs with more stable income.
With the efforts to maintain the values left by our ancestors, in October 2022, the bamboo and rattan weaving craft in Na Tau 1 village, Na Tau commune, Dien Bien Phu city was recognized as a "traditional craft village" by the People's Committee of Dien Bien province. This is considered an important milestone, affirming the value of traditional handicrafts and creating motivation for local people.
Mr. Lo Van Cuong - Chairman of Na Tau Bamboo and Rattan Cooperative, said: "Currently, the cooperative has 20 members. However, to maintain and develop the profession, we have encountered many difficulties, such as: lack of human resources, finding a stable consumer market and especially limited investment capital".
According to Mr. Cuong, aware of the limitations, the cooperative has proactively sought many solutions. Including participating in fairs and exhibitions to help Na Tau rattan and bamboo products get closer to consumers. At the same time, it continues to focus on improving product quality and diversifying designs to meet market demand.
