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What To Do In Ninh Binh ? Visit Van Lam Embroidery Village Ninh Binh

Stretching across the S-shaped country of Vietnam, there are many traditional craft villages with long-standing histories, such as lotus farming, bronze casting, Dong Ho painting, and lacquerware. Among these is hand embroidery—a time-honored traditional craft that creates a distinct character and enriches Vietnam's culture. Among the traditional embroidery villages in Vietnam, Van Lam Village Ninh Binh stands out as a place that embodies the essence of Vietnamese embroidery. With creativity and the inheritance of their ancestors' heritage, the artisans of Van Lam Village have produced unique embroidered products that are highly favored by customers both domestically and internationally.

1. Overview of Van Lam Embroidery Village
2. History of Van Lam Embroidery Village
3. Intricate Embroidery from Meticulous and Skilled Hands
4. Interesting Experiences at Van Lam Village

1. Overview of Van Lam Embroidery Village

As one of the six traditional craft villages honored with a certificate of merit and supported by the State for development, Van Lam Embroidery Village (Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province) is a place where the essence of traditional embroidery is fully manifested. Situated within the scenic Tam Coc Bich Dong complex, it is one of the rare villages where residents still make a living through embroidery and agriculture. Additionally, it has become a beloved tourist destination in Ninh Binh, making it a site that you should visit among many places to go in Ninh Binh.

Located only about 7 kilometers from Ninh Binh city center, there are several ways to reach Van Lam Embroidery Village. The most common modes of transport include motorbikes, buses, and trains. You can easily start from Hanoi and travel to Ninh Binh for your self-guided trip.

Take a look at Traditional Handicraft Villages Ninh Binh

2. History of Van Lam Embroidery Village

Trần Thị Dung played a significant role in establishing the embroidery craft in Ninh Bình

There are many anecdotes and legends about the origin of the embroidery craft in Van Lam. However, according to the village elders, the embroidery tradition dates back to the Tran Dynasty. It is said that when King Tran and his court retreated from Thang Long to Ninh Binh during the second Mongol invasion, Trần Thị Dung, the wife of Grand Chancellor Trần Thủ Độ, had her court ladies teach the local people the art of court embroidery.

This legend has always been a proud testament to the village's embroidery heritage. Even though there are no official documents or royal decrees from past dynasties that explicitly mention the origin of the embroidery craft or its initial teachers, the villagers remain proud of the history that has bonded them with this craft through generations. Therefore, whenever the villagers speak of their craft, they express a deep sense of gratitude and reverence, especially towards the ancestors who passed down these skills.

In 1910, during the French colonial period, two villagers, Dinh Ngoc Henh and Dinh Ngoc Xoan, learned the French embroidery techniques. They returned to Van Lam village Ninh Binh and taught these new techniques to their fellow villagers. This marked the introduction of lace embroidery to Van Lam, significantly transforming the craft.

With their skilled and talented hands, the artisans of Van Lam quickly developed their embroidery and lacework, establishing the village as one of the finest embroidery craft centers in Vietnam.

3. Intricate Embroidery from Meticulous and Skilled Hands

Creating each embroidery line demands meticulous attention and skill

Elegant and sophisticated, simple yet vibrant—these are the common impressions people have when they see or own an embroidery piece from Van Lam Village. From delicate threads on fabrics of various colors, the intricate yet simple, monochromatic yet lively embroidery lines gradually come to life through the skillful hands of Van Lam artisans. If you have an appreciation for handicrafts, when visiting Ninh Binh, besides exploring other Ninh Binh tourist attractions, it's recommended to take the time to learn about the hand embroidery techniques of the artisans here.

Creating an embroidery piece involves numerous steps. First, the artisans conceptualize the design, then transfer the pattern onto a transparent film. Using a sharp needle, they prick holes along the design lines on the film, place it on the fabric, and apply oil and printing ink to transfer the pattern. This process leaves the design imprinted on the fabric through the pricked lines, guiding the embroiderers as they work.

Local products created using embroidery techniques

During the embroidery process, skilled artisans can adjust the stitches to make the lines softer and more intricate. However, only a few highly skilled embroiderers can do this, while most follow the pricked lines exactly, making the pattern creation a crucial step.

Van Lam Village Ninh Binh boasts unique embroidery techniques found nowhere else. One distinctive feature is the single-color embroidery, often using only white thread. This technique does not rely on colors to bring the design to life; instead, the monochromatic thread and fabric highlight the artisan's skill and the piece's intricate details. Unlike standard embroidery, where even stitches are crucial, white-thread embroidery demands extreme precision, as any flaw in the stitching is easily noticeable.

Each product from Van Lam Village embodies a unique spirit and artistry that can only be found there, much like the village's storied history.

4. Interesting Experiences at Van Lam Village

Meet the skilled artisans of Van Lam village

What to do in Ninh Binh ? If you visit the area near the village ferry dock, you will easily spot a temple built in traditional architecture with a prominent red roof. This temple honors three founding masters of the embroidery craft, including the national embroidery patriarch Le Cong Hanh and two esteemed figures, Dinh Ngoc Henh and Dinh Ngoc Xoan. The temple is a place where villagers express their reverence and gratitude towards the ancestors who passed down the embroidery craft to future generations.

In their respect for the ancestors who contributed to teaching the craft, the people of Van Lam have established a temple dedicated to the embroidery craft. Inscribed on the stone columns of the temple are two meaningful couplets:

"Mỹ nghệ hoa văn truyền hậu thế
Tài hoa cẩm tú ngưỡng tiên sinh."
 
"Ornate crafts through generations flow,
Splendid talents revered, masters aglow."

The artisans tirelessly keep the passion alive for the traditional craft

Moreover, you might also have the opportunity to meet artisans devoted to this village's embroidery craft. Seeing is believing—here, you can listen to and witness the process of creating intricate embroidered products, from the initial steps to the final product - things that you must do in Ninh Binh. Observing the meticulous embroidery process firsthand will deepen your appreciation for this traditional craft that has thrived in modern life, and for the unwavering passion of the artisans who strive to preserve the Van Lam embroidery tradition.

Despite the passage of time, Van Lam Village Ninh Binh remains steadfast. The artisans tirelessly work day and night to produce special creations, bringing the craft of their ancestors to younger generations and keeping the flame of passion alive. As a result, the embroidered products not only thrive and meet the demands of domestic and international customers but also contribute to honoring the beauty of Vietnam's traditional crafts and its people. To ensure a satisfying experience far beyond your expectations, please contact Autour Asia, TRAVEL AGENTS IN VIETNAM now.

Take a look at:
> Ninh Binh day tour
> Ninh Binh Travel Guide
> Vietnam Itinerary 10 days
> Vietnam Packages Tours

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