Hung Yen (VNA) – With a 200-square-metre pavilion themed “Integration and Development,” the northern province of Hung Yen is bringing to the first-ever Autumn Fair 2025 a colourful picture of tradition, creativity, and sustainable growth.
Among the province’s highlights are the elegant silk and tussore (lua dui) products of the Nam Cao Tussore Weaving Cooperative in Le Loi commune — a proud symbol of Hung Yen’s craft heritage. The soft, handwoven fabric, deeply rooted in tradition, attracted crowds of visitors, marking a remarkable comeback for a village that once faced extinction.
According to Deputy Director of the cooperative Nguyen Thi Ha, Nam Cao once flourished nationwide, exporting millions of metres of silk each year. However, during the 1990s and 2010, the village struggled to compete with industrial textiles, leaving only a few households to continue the craft.
A turning point came in 2013 with the establishment of the Nam Cao Tussore Weaving Cooperative, which rebuilt the entire production chain from raw materials and weaving to distribution and export.
After more than a decade, the cooperative now has over 200 members, expanding both domestic and overseas markets. In 2023, Nam Cao weaving was officially recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, honouring its cultural significance and boosting the reputation of Vietnamese handmade textiles.
This year, Nam Cao silk is being showcased not only at the Autumn Fair in Hanoi but also at a fashion show in Nicaragua, bringing the traditional craft to an international audience. The cooperative presented signature items such as silk “ao dai” (Vietnamese traditional long dress), handcrafted scarves, and jewelry made from silk threads. The products that have drawn strong interest from visitors.
Alongside Nam Cao silk, Hung Yen introduced various OCOP (One Commune, One Product) goods such as longan, dried longan with lotus seeds, soft-dried longan, rice, and the province’s famous “banh cay” (rice candy).
Tran Van Dong, representative of Thien Duc Confectionery, said the fair offers a “golden opportunity” for local producers to promote Hung Yen’s specialties, reach new customers, and connect with broader markets. His company currently produces 15 tonnes of “banh cay” per month, selling across 34 provinces and cities. Since 2023, Thien Duc has developed four 4-star OCOP products, including peanut, sesame, and puffed rice candies.
According to the Hung Yen centre for industrial extension and development consulting, the province’s booth at the Autumn Fair was carefully designed to reflect local culture while applying modern technology, including video displays on product quality and production processes.
More than 20 businesses and producers joined Hung Yen’s exhibition area, showcasing groups of products including handicrafts, specialty goods, industrial highlights, and OCOP items.
The fair gives the province an opportunity to show its strengths, creativity, innovation toward sustainable growth./.
