The traditional rattan and bamboo weaving craft village in Thuận Hòa Commune, Cần Thơ City, once struggled under the pressure of mass-produced industrial goods and unstable market demand, forcing many artisans to abandon the trade. However, through innovative thinking and a renewed production model, the village has gradually revitalized its traditional craft. This has paved the way for more sustainable long-term development.
According to Cần Thơ Newspaper, the traditional rattan and bamboo weaving craft village in Thuận Hòa Commune once went through an extremely challenging period. The production of familiar household items such as bamboo baskets, sieves, and trays struggled to compete with modern industrial products. Unstable market demand forced many families to abandon the trade, while younger generations left their hometowns in search of other employment opportunities. Although elderly artisans remained committed to preserving the craft, they continued to face uncertain livelihoods. Born into a family with a long tradition of bamboo weaving in Cà Mau Province, Trương Thị Bạch Thủy realized early on that the craft village would have little chance of survival. This would be the case if it continued relying solely on traditional production methods.
Faced with the risk of the craft disappearing, Thủy decided to build her business around the trade that had shaped her childhood. The establishment of Thủy Tuyết Rattan and Bamboo Weaving Cooperative in 2023 marked a significant turning point. It transformed fragmented household production into a value chain-based cooperative model. This initiative not only brought local artisans together but also standardized production processes, strengthened quality control, and enabled the cooperative to proactively expand its market.
To enhance product competitiveness, the cooperative places strong emphasis on quality at every stage, from selecting raw materials to processing bamboo. According to Thủy, producing high-quality products requires meticulous attention throughout the entire process. This includes choosing suitable bamboo, splitting it correctly, and treating the raw materials to prevent insect damage and improve durability. The cooperative also carefully selects different bamboo varieties according to the specific requirements of each product line. This ensures both quality and aesthetic appeal.
Alongside technical improvements, the cooperative has adopted a more market-oriented production strategy to meet changing consumer preferences. Rather than focusing solely on traditional household items, it has expanded into interior décor, gift products, and premium handicrafts. Thanks to this strategic shift, the cooperative now supplies thousands of products each month. Prices range from just a few tens of thousands of Vietnamese đồng to tens of millions of đồng. Its products are sold across many provinces and cities in Vietnam. They have also reached international markets, including Cambodia, China, and the United States.
The growth of Thủy Tuyết Rattan and Bamboo Weaving Cooperative has created stable employment for many local residents, particularly members of the Khmer ethnic community. By joining the cooperative’s value chain, participating households receive technical training, raw material support, and guaranteed purchase of all completed products. This provides them with a more stable and reliable source of income. Today, the cooperative works with around 70 households on a regular basis. It also generates employment for more than 200 local workers.
The cooperative’s support has brought meaningful improvements to the lives of many families. Thạch Thị Hường shared that her family previously relied mainly on seasonal jobs, making their income highly unstable. Since joining the cooperative, she has received technical guidance, been supplied with raw materials, and has all of her finished products purchased by the cooperative.
Speaking about the positive changes, Hường said she now focuses solely on weaving products according to the cooperative’s orders without worrying about finding buyers. Working from home has enabled her to earn a stable income. It has also allowed her to spend more time caring for her family.
Looking toward sustainable development, Trương Thị Bạch Thủy is continuing to create new growth opportunities for the craft village. The cooperative is developing a craft tourism model that allows visitors to experience traditional weaving firsthand. At the same time, it is expanding its digital presence by bringing its products to e-commerce platforms. The goal is to reach a broader customer base and further promote the Thuận Hòa rattan and bamboo weaving brand.
These successful transformation efforts have earned both the cooperative and Thủy widespread recognition. The cooperative has received the Mai An Tiêm Award from the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance for two consecutive years, while many of its products have been recognized under the OCOP (One Commune One Product) program and as Outstanding Rural Industrial Products. Trương Thị Bạch Thủy herself has been honored as a National Artisan in Rattan and Bamboo Weaving. She also won First Prize in the national Women Entrepreneurs Promoting Indigenous Potential competition. These achievements provide a strong foundation for the cooperative to further expand its raw material base, diversify its product portfolio, and enter new markets.
Vietnamese source: https://thuonghieusanpham.vn/mo-huong-phat-trien-moi-cho-nghe-may-tre-dan
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