Nestled along the poetic Red River, Nha Xa Village (Moc Nam Commune, Ha Nam Province) has long been renowned as one of the cradles of Vietnam’s traditional silk weaving. With a history spanning more than a century, Nha Xa Silk not only preserves the essence of hand-weaving but also continuously innovates and creates, bringing Vietnamese silk to new horizons while meeting the diverse tastes of the modern market.
The silk weaving craft in Nha Xa dates back to the 19th century, when its founder – Mr. Tran Van Phiem – migrated from the famous Van Phuc silk village (Ha Dong) to this land, reclaiming it and passing down the craft to local villagers. Through the ups and downs of history, silk weaving has been preserved as part of the cultural soul of the homeland. From simple looms and skillful hands, shimmering silk threads are woven into soft, durable fabrics – silk that carries not only practical value but also the spirit of a traditional craft village rich in identity.
Today, Nha Xa Silk has witnessed remarkable changes. Beyond traditional silk products, many new items have been created to meet the diverse needs of consumers: mulberry silk, tussore silk, spun silk, patterned silk, linen, and more. Each piece is a crystallization of perseverance, meticulousness, and creativity from skilled artisans. Thanks to the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, Nha Xa silk products are increasingly favored both at home and abroad for their high quality, delicate patterns, graceful lines, and elegant colors.
A distinctive hallmark of Nha Xa Silk lies in its dyeing process using natural materials – a traditional method that has been revived and further developed by the villagers. Natural ingredients such as yam roots, almond leaves, or betel leaves are used to create the silk’s hues. Each dyeing batch is an artistic creation, requiring deep knowledge of herbal properties, fermentation time, mixing, and fiber treatment. As a result, Nha Xa silk boasts unique, gentle, and graceful shades that feel close to nature and remain durable over time. Moreover, natural dyeing is eco-friendly and safe for users.
In recent years, Nha Xa has undergone strong transformations. Besides weaving fabrics, many households and workshops have expanded into designing and tailoring silk products to serve tourists and high-end consumers. Items such as silk ao dai, scarves, ties, tussore silk shawls, hand-embroidered blankets and pillows, as well as silk-made handbags and backpacks not only meet everyday needs but also make refined, elegant gifts rich in Vietnamese cultural spirit. Visitors to the village are not only enchanted by the shimmering silk but can also experience the weaving process firsthand: reeling silk, weaving, dyeing threads, and exploring the village’s history. This connection between production and experiential tourism has contributed to reviving and spreading the value of Nha Xa silk to the community.
Amidst industrialization, when fabrics are mass-produced by machines, Nha Xa Silk continues to uphold its rustic, handcrafted, and enduring essence. Every thread, every piece of silk embodies the essence of earth and sky, of nature, and of the artisans’ skillful hands and delicate souls. This is what gives lasting vitality to Nha Xa Silk – a unique cultural symbol of the Red River Delta.