Lung Tam weaving village, located in Lung Tam Commune, Quan Ba District, Ha Giang Province, is one of the outstanding spots in Ha Giang. Linen weaving is a traditional craft that carries important spiritual meaning for the Hmong people in Quan Ba. After many manual, meticulous stages,  local artisans can complete a linen fabric with diverse patterns. All patterns on the fabric are hand-embroidered and painted with beeswax. Let’s explore the village with Handspan Travel Indochina!

Visiting the Lung Tam Weaving Village

Through this blog post, you will find the following pieces of information.

General information about the Lung Tam Weaving Village

Lung Tam is home to Mong ethnic minority people, about 50km from Ha Giang city center, nestled below Quan Ba ​​twin mountains. Hop Tien village of Lung commune is where the H'Mong people have long lived by weaving brocade. This land is a small valley with rocky mountains surrounding and the Mien River flowing through it. 

The village was formed in 2001 when the cooperative model was established. Initially, there were only 10 people living. Until now, there are more than 100 people. Visiting the village, you can admire the scenery of local women sitting in front of looms skillfully making beautiful fabrics or unique brocade products. The weaving village not only brings income to the residents but also contributes to preserving the long-standing traditional values ​​of the H'Mong people.

The cultural significance of the Mong people hidden behind the traditional Lung Tam weaving village

For the Mong people in Ha Giang, linen plays an important role in their spiritual world. According to their belief, linen helps the local people’s soul find their way back to their ancestors after they have passed away. Knowing how to weave linen is a criterion for evaluating the talent, skill, and diligence of a Mong woman. A Mong woman who gets married must have linen clothes on her body so that when she enters her husband's house, the ancestors will accept her and she will not get sick when she becomes a new bride. 

Local artisan in the Lung Tam Weaving Village

How to get to the Lung Tam Weaving Village?

From the city center of Ha Giang, to get to the Lung Tam Weaving Village, you will have to drive along National Highway 4C to Quan Ba ​​Heaven Gate. From here, you will pass through the Tam Son Town to Coc Ma Village. There are seven curves here. At the 7th curve, you will turn right and then go straight along the small road leading to Lung Tam Village. 

Exploring the Lung Tam Weaving Village

Visiting the Lung Tam Weaving Village, you will have a chance to dive into local culture and craftsmanship. Let’s explore some amazing things to do in the village with us!

Tourists learning about the craft in the Lung Tam Weaving Village

Learning about the traditional linen weaving in the village

When you come to the Lung Tam Weaving Village, you should not miss learning about the unique linen weaving technique here. The main material for making linen fabric is flax plants in the village or surrounding areas. When the H'Mong women reach adulthood, they also have their own fields to grow flax. Weaving linen goes through 41 steps, starting from sowing seeds. This requires a lot of time and effort. After harvesting, the flax will be soaked and separated into small and thin fibers. Next, the flax fibers are rolled into spinning frames, and after being separated, they are boiled and steamed until soft.

Harvesting flax in the Lung Tam Weaving Village

Harvesting flax in the Lung Tam Weaving Village

Fabric dying in the Lung Tam Weaving Village

Hmong people weave fabric using a belt loom. After weaving, complete linen fabrics will be created. After that, they will wash these pieces of fabric many times until they are white, spread it on a round log, and use a stone slab rubbed with beeswax to roll it back and forth until the fabric is soft and the fibers are shinier. The fabric is soaked in indigo solution for about 1 hour, then taken out to dry, drained, and soaked in the solution again. This process is repeated 5-6 times.

Drying the fabric in the Lung Tam Weaving Village

Beeswax drawing in the Lung Tam Weaving Village

Visiting the Lung Tam Weaving Village, you can admire local artisans weaving by hand with the processes above. Besides observing, you will also have a chance to participate in these processes. Especially, the dyeing step is the most favorite step for tourists. This is also the most exciting step in making a linen product. Local artisans will guide tourists to use natural plant-based dyes to create beautiful patterns. 

Exploring the Hmong culture

When you come to the Lung Tam Weaving Village, you will have a chance to engage with the Hmong people, learn about their customs, and understand how their craftsmanship is a central part of their identity. If you come here during special occasions and festivals, you can also join them and witness traditional Hmong festivals, rituals, or music performances. 

In addition, visiting the local homes is also an ideal way to explore the local people’s culture. You will have an authentic glimpse of daily life in the village. 

Joining a handicraft workshop

Joining a handicraft workshop is the best way to learn about the craft in the Lung Tam Weaving Village. Local artisans will introduce to you the complete process of linen weaving, from extracting the fibers from flax plants to spinning and weaving them into fabric. Local artisans will guide you step-by-step through each phase. Under the guidance of experienced Hmong weavers, you’ll try your hand at using a traditional loom to weave small pieces of linen, gaining a deeper appreciation for the intricate skill involved. By trying to make a linen weaving product on your own, you will not only have exciting experiences to bring home but also contribute to sustainable tourism in Ha Giang.

Linen workshop in the Lung Tam Weaving Village

Buying souvenirs

Lung Tam Weaving Village’s linen products are diverse from clothes to handbags, wallets, etc. Local people sell these products in the village and use them in restaurants and hotels as well. Each product reflects the culture of the people living in the Ha Giang stone plateau. Visiting the village, you can find something to bring home. 

Outstanding spots near the Lung Tam Weaving Village

When you visit the Lung Tam Weaving Village, you may also drop by nearby spots. Below are some outstanding attractions near the village that you should not miss. 

Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate

Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate, 43 kilometers from Ha Giang City’s center, is 1500 above sea level, between two mountain peaks. It is a scenic mountain pass that provides views of Ha Giang's stunning valleys and peaks. 

Quan Ba Twin Mountain

Quan Ba Twin Mountain, or Co Tien Twin Mountain, is about 40 kilometers from Ha Giang city’s center, located on National Highway 4C, Tam Son Town, Quan Ba, Ha Giang. Depending on the time you come here, you can see it blended with different colors, like the pink of buckwheat flowers, the yellow color of ripe rice fields, and the blue sky. 

Quan Ba Twin Mountain

Yen Minh Pine Forest

Yen Minh Pine Forest has a wild and majestic beauty, bringing wonderful experiences to visitors. The natural beauty and quiet space at Yen Minh Pine Forest, Ha Giang make it a great destination for those who want to explore and relax in the wild nature.

In conclusion, you have just known some information about the Lung Tam Weaving Village. If you are going to travel to Ha Giang, don’t forget to include this amazing spot in your itinerary. To book a Ha Giang tour package or tailor your tour, don’t hesitate to contact our Handspan team.