Visiting Pho Trach Rush Weaving Village in Hue, Vietnam
12 min
Storytelling
The village of Pho Trach, situated about 50 kilometers north of the city center of Hue, is well-known for its craft of weaving rushes. With a rich history spanning hundreds of years, Pho Trach village plays a significant role in the traditional handicraft industry of Thua Thien Hue province.
The history of Pho Trach rush weaving village
Rushes are cultivated at the edge of the fields in Pho Trach village
The elders in the village say that Pho Trach village was established in the mid-15th century. For generations, the people here have primarily relied on rice farming, and during leisure times, they have engaged in an additional craft of weaving rushes.
Pho Trach village is located in an ecologically diverse coastal plain area with low-lying, perennially flooded regions, providing favorable conditions for the growth of rushes. In the past, villagers recognized that despite its delicate appearance, this plant could be woven into beautiful and durable sleeping mats, so they began cultivating it on the edges of their rice fields. They would harvest it once a year, dry it, and carefully store it for weaving throughout the year.
Here, the art of weaving rushes has been passed down from generation to generation. Children grow up learning how to weave from their parents, and even women who come to the village as brides are taught the art of weaving. Therefore, despite the absence of written records about the origins of this craft, most believe that it has likely existed since the very founding of the village.
The sleeping mats from Pho Trach village are famous far and wide for providing a cool surface to sleep on during the hot summer months. They were sought after by merchants at Dong Ba Market (the largest market in Hue city) and traders from neighboring areas who would bring them to sell.
Throughout its history spanning hundreds of years, the craft village of Pho Trach has endured the ups and downs of changing times. However, there was no period more challenging than about 25 to 30 years ago, when the emergence of cheap and convenient plastic products rapidly took over the market. This pushed traditional artisans into a difficult situation as nobody wanted to buy their handmade products. Additionally, the area for cultivating rushes significantly shrank, and the art of weaving mats was on the brink of being lost
Fortunately, there are still passionate individuals determined to keep the craft alive. As a result, today, the art of weaving rushes in Pho Trach village continues to exist and thrive, growing stronger than ever.
Handbags for women crafted from rushes (Credit: Cỏ Bàng N.X)
The custodians of the village’s heritage
Craftsman Viet Nam Nguyen (on the right)
Craftsman Viet Nam Nguyen is a native of Pho Trach village and has devoted his entire life to the art of weaving. Although he has reached the age of sixty, his health isn’t the same as his youth, yet he tirelessly dedicates each day to self-research and innovation in crafting techniques. He constantly ponders how to preserve and advance the rush weaving craft, enabling the villagers to sustain their livelihoods through this skill
He observes that despite the time and effort required to produce items from rushes, the income doesn’t match the investment. The lives of these skilled artisans remain challenging.
From these concerns, he spent several years visiting various traditional craft villages to learn from their experiences. During those days, he realized that innovation and product diversification are the keys to the craft village’s development.
Back in the village, he, along with other craftsmen, embarked on the creative journey of crafting new and unique products instead of just focusing on making sleeping mats like before. He invested a lot of time in the product design process, then collaborated with fellow villagers to create specific components, and ultimately, he personally perfected them.
After undergoing nearly a decade of changes, the rush weaving village of Pho Trach has witnessed significant success. The villagers have seen an increase in their incomes, their products have secured a market presence, drawing more customers, and even expanding into international markets
The People’s Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province honors the contributions of craftsman Viet Nam Nguyen (in the center) in preserving and developing the rush weaving village of Pho Trach
Why are the products of Pho Trach village popular?
The products made from rushes in Pho Trach village represent a delightful blend of artisanal skill and natural materials. These items radiate a charming blend of simplicity and sophistication, admired for their eco-friendly features.
Rustic yet equally elegant
Credit: Cỏ Bàng N.X
Customers adore the products from Pho Trach rush weaving village for their rustic, authentically Vietnamese charm, marked by meticulous craftsmanship and creative design. These items made from rushes aren’t just handcrafted products; they also carry within them a rich history and the dedication of the village’s artisans.
Eco-friendly products
Credit: Cỏ Bàng N.X
We are in a battle against plastic waste, which has caused numerous serious issues for the ecosystem. Products sourced from nature in Pho Trach rush weaving village are a choice we can aim for as a substitute for plastic goods.
Rush fibers, the primary source of these products, are a type of natural plant that is easily renewable and environmentally friendly. Using rush fibers as an alternative to plastic material can help reduce the impact on the land and, at the same time, mitigate the amount of non-biodegradable waste.
Furthermore, the handmade production in Pho Trach rush weaving village typically does not involve industrial processes and machinery that can cause environmental pollution. This helps to protect the environment and maintain ecological balance in the area.
The steps to create handmade products from rushes
From the rush plants in the fields to unique handmade products, the artisans in Pho Trach village follow these five essential steps.
Harvesting rushes
Rushes are typically grown at the edges of rice fields. After the lunar New Year, villagers go to the fields to harvest them. They use machetes to cut the water hyacinth close to the roots and then clear the field, allowing the young plants to continue growing from the old roots. It takes about a year to be ready for the next harvest.
Drying rushes
Once the rushes are brought in from the fields, the villagers remove the top parts, retaining the stems, and categorize them based on their size. Subsequently, they place them outdoors to dry in the sun. The drying procedure usually lasts for 2 to 5 days.
Pounding rushes
After drying, the rushes are taken to be pounded using a tool called a rush mortar. Currently, the entire village has four of these mortars placed in four different sections of the village, serving as communal assets for the villagers to use. Pounding rushes is a strenuous task, requiring men with physical strength or the cooperation of multiple people.
Weaving rushes into products
After the rush fibers are pounded, skilled artisans take them to weave. They can incorporate patterns or writing to make the product more intricate and aesthetically pleasing.
Taking the products out for drying once again
After the weaving is complete, the products are dried once more to ensure quality and durability before they are introduced to the market.
Rushes are cultivated on the edges of rice fields in Pho Trach village
Visiting Pho Trach Rush Weaving Village in Hue, Vietnam
The village of Pho Trach, situated about 50 kilometers north of the city center of Hue, is well-known for its craft of weaving rushes. With a rich history spanning hundreds of years, Pho Trach village plays a significant role in the traditional handicraft industry of Thua Thien Hue province.
The history of Pho Trach rush weaving village
The elders in the village say that Pho Trach village was established in the mid-15th century. For generations, the people here have primarily relied on rice farming, and during leisure times, they have engaged in an additional craft of weaving rushes.
Pho Trach village is located in an ecologically diverse coastal plain area with low-lying, perennially flooded regions, providing favorable conditions for the growth of rushes. In the past, villagers recognized that despite its delicate appearance, this plant could be woven into beautiful and durable sleeping mats, so they began cultivating it on the edges of their rice fields. They would harvest it once a year, dry it, and carefully store it for weaving throughout the year.
Here, the art of weaving rushes has been passed down from generation to generation. Children grow up learning how to weave from their parents, and even women who come to the village as brides are taught the art of weaving. Therefore, despite the absence of written records about the origins of this craft, most believe that it has likely existed since the very founding of the village.
The sleeping mats from Pho Trach village are famous far and wide for providing a cool surface to sleep on during the hot summer months. They were sought after by merchants at Dong Ba Market (the largest market in Hue city) and traders from neighboring areas who would bring them to sell.
Throughout its history spanning hundreds of years, the craft village of Pho Trach has endured the ups and downs of changing times. However, there was no period more challenging than about 25 to 30 years ago, when the emergence of cheap and convenient plastic products rapidly took over the market. This pushed traditional artisans into a difficult situation as nobody wanted to buy their handmade products. Additionally, the area for cultivating rushes significantly shrank, and the art of weaving mats was on the brink of being lost
Fortunately, there are still passionate individuals determined to keep the craft alive. As a result, today, the art of weaving rushes in Pho Trach village continues to exist and thrive, growing stronger than ever.
Craftsman Viet Nam Nguyen (Right)
The custodians of the village’s heritage
Craftsman Viet Nam Nguyen is a native of Pho Trach village and has devoted his entire life to the art of weaving. Although he has reached the age of sixty, his health isn’t the same as his youth, yet he tirelessly dedicates each day to self-research and innovation in crafting techniques. He constantly ponders how to preserve and advance the rush weaving craft, enabling the villagers to sustain their livelihoods through this skill
He observes that despite the time and effort required to produce items from rushes, the income doesn’t match the investment. The lives of these skilled artisans remain challenging.
From these concerns, he spent several years visiting various traditional craft villages to learn from their experiences. During those days, he realized that innovation and product diversification are the keys to the craft village’s development.
Back in the village, he, along with other craftsmen, embarked on the creative journey of crafting new and unique products instead of just focusing on making sleeping mats like before. He invested a lot of time in the product design process, then collaborated with fellow villagers to create specific components, and ultimately, he personally perfected them.
After undergoing nearly a decade of changes, the rush weaving village of Pho Trach has witnessed significant success. The villagers have seen an increase in their incomes, their products have secured a market presence, drawing more customers, and even expanding into international markets
Why are the products of Pho Trach village popular?
The products made from rushes in Pho Trach village represent a delightful blend of artisanal skill and natural materials. These items radiate a charming blend of simplicity and sophistication, admired for their eco-friendly features.
Rustic yet equally elegant
Customers adore the products from Pho Trach rush weaving village for their rustic, authentically Vietnamese charm, marked by meticulous craftsmanship and creative design. These items made from rushes aren’t just handcrafted products; they also carry within them a rich history and the dedication of the village’s artisans.
Eco-friendly products
We are in a battle against plastic waste, which has caused numerous serious issues for the ecosystem. Products sourced from nature in Pho Trach rush weaving village are a choice we can aim for as a substitute for plastic goods.
Rush fibers, the primary source of these products, are a type of natural plant that is easily renewable and environmentally friendly. Using rush fibers as an alternative to plastic material can help reduce the impact on the land and, at the same time, mitigate the amount of non-biodegradable waste.
Furthermore, the handmade production in Pho Trach rush weaving village typically does not involve industrial processes and machinery that can cause environmental pollution. This helps to protect the environment and maintain ecological balance in the area.
The steps to create handmade products from rushes
From the rush plants in the fields to unique handmade products, the artisans in Pho Trach village follow these five essential steps.
Harvesting rushes
Rushes are typically grown at the edges of rice fields. After the lunar New Year, villagers go to the fields to harvest them. They use machetes to cut the water hyacinth close to the roots and then clear the field, allowing the young plants to continue growing from the old roots. It takes about a year to be ready for the next harvest.
Drying rushes
Once the rushes are brought in from the fields, the villagers remove the top parts, retaining the stems, and categorize them based on their size. Subsequently, they place them outdoors to dry in the sun. The drying procedure usually lasts for 2 to 5 days.
Pounding rushes
After drying, the rushes are taken to be pounded using a tool called a rush mortar. Currently, the entire village has four of these mortars placed in four different sections of the village, serving as communal assets for the villagers to use. Pounding rushes is a strenuous task, requiring men with physical strength or the cooperation of multiple people.
Weaving rushes into products
After the rush fibers are pounded, skilled artisans take them to weave. They can incorporate patterns or writing to make the product more intricate and aesthetically pleasing.
Taking the products out for drying once again
After the weaving is complete, the products are dried once more to ensure quality and durability before they are introduced to the market.
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