Son La province: Sop Cop preserves, develops traditional crafts

Women of Muong Va commune, Sop Cop district embroider patterns on traditional brocade.

In addition to unique festivals, folk songs, folk dances, and distinctive musical instruments, the Lao ethnic people in the district have the professions of weaving brocade and sewing traditional costumes. Using simple looms made of bamboo and wood, the skillful hands of women have created colourful brocades with unique patterns.

Lo Thi Um in Muong Va village, shared that “I have been involved in traditional brocade weaving for over 40 years. From my young age, I was taught by the older women how to weave simple patterns, gradually mastering the craft. Traditionally, the clothing of the Lao ethnic group is made from fabric woven from cotton and silk, and dyed with natural colours from indigo plants, yam beans, ferns and turmeric, featuring various patterns and designs. To create a beautiful piece of brocade, it requires the weaver’s hard work, meticulousness and creativity. Our family’s brocade products are displayed and sold at souvenir shops in provinces and cities such as Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Hanoi, as well as some provinces in Laos.”

The Mong ethnic people in Sop Cop boast the traditional blacksmithing craft. After more than 20 years of dedication, earning stable income from traditional blacksmithing, Sung Trang Tua from Pa Khoang village, Muong Leo commune, can forge various types of farming tools, especially knives. Tua stated: “With inherited secrets, our family’s products are refined, sharp, and durable, and are favoured by customers. Currently, each month, our family’s blacksmithing workshop produces 30-40 items, sold both inside and outside the province, with prices ranging from 250,000 to 400,000 VND (10-16.1 USD) each, generating an average monthly income of 7-8 million VND (322 USD)”.

In addition, the Kho Mu ethnic group in Sop Cop is known for making embroidered “khan pieu” (a traditional headscarf) and traditional clothing, as well as crafting everyday items from rattan. The Thai ethnic people are skilled in weaving bamboo items such as rice containers, sitting stools, and baskets, with intricate and unique designs, aiming to enhance the value of handcrafted products.

Tong Thi Quyen, head of the district Department of Culture and Information, stated: “To preserve and develop the traditional crafts of the ethnic groups, the district has recently encouraged individuals, cooperatives, and cooperative groups to display their ethnic handicrafts in exhibitions both inside and outside the province. This helps turn these products into commodities, generating stable income for the local people and supporting rural tourism. At the same time, the district has directed organizations to encourage the public, especially the younger generation, to preserve traditional crafts; and to promote the establishment and expansion of cooperatives for the development of traditional crafts.

However, some traditional crafts of ethnic minorities in the district are at risk of disappearing as skills are primarily passed on from older generations to younger ones. In particular, there is a lack of raw materials, and the products made are difficult to compete with industrial products that offer diverse designs and affordable prices. The limited income makes these crafts unattractive to economic sectors and the public.

To preserve and maintain traditional crafts, Sop Cop district will continue to promote and advertise traditional handicraft products through mass media; organize exhibitions and displays; encourage and motivate artisans to pass on their skills to the younger generations; and promote community-based tourism linked with preserving cultural identity, contributing to generating income and improving the living standards of locals.

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