Unique products
In the early morning, the Tan Phong handicraft tourism site run by Tran Quang Dung is already bustling with activity. Artisans’ hands move swiftly, weaving dried water hyacinth fibres and gently shaping them into elegant handbags — which are particularly favourited by foreign visitors.
According to site owner Tran Quang Dung, the handicraft village has been maintained for nearly 20 years. Water hyacinth weaving has closely linked with the local people. Since visitors began coming here, we have felt even more motivated, because each product also tells the story of our homeland.
Each day, Dung’s facility produces more than 200 products. Each product is the combined effort of many employees through various stages, including weaving the basket body, weaving the lid, making handles, and processing raw materials.
To ensure durability, finished products must be sun-dried or kiln-dried to achieve sufficient dryness. In addition to production, the facility also welcomes visitors to tour the village and learn weaving techniques. Previously, water hyacinth weaving in Tan Phong mainly served household use or was sold at local small markets.
Few imagined that this craft could provide stable livelihoods and attract tourists. From concerns about the craft fading away, the village has established cooperative groups operating in a stable manner, their products consumed through tourism enterprises, export facilities and orchard tourism sites. More importantly, the craft helps preserve labour culture associated with river life, creating a distinctive local identity.
In recent years, besides the development of orchard tourism in Cai Lay and tours along the Tien River, Tan Phong Handicraft Village has been selected as a stop on journeys exploring local culture.
“I feel happy and proud that products made from water hyacinth can reach visitors and be exported abroad. This craft requires perseverance and reliability. In recent years, consumers have favoured environmentally friendly products, so handicraft items from the village have sold well,” said Le Thi Diem Lan, a resident of Tan Thai Hamlet.
At Tan Phong, visitors can try weaving products from water hyacinth fibres, learn how to dry and process the materials, exchange with artisans, and listen to stories about traditional crafts and orchard life.
Increasing numbers of tour groups choose Tan Phong for the authenticity of local daily life.
Attracting tourists
Products from the Tan Phong handicraft village now feature many new designs, modern colour combinations, and styles suited to young consumers and international customers. Some facilities have boldly connected to export their products to Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and Europe.
Water hyacinth weaving creates employment for many local employees, especially women and the elderly.
“Every day, the village welcomes dozens of foreign tourists who come to visit and shop. Visitors are drawn to handwoven water hyacinth products because they strongly reflect river-based culture. We always focus on creating designs to meet customer demands,” said Tran Quang Dung.
Tan Phong Commune is implementing various models linked to community-based tourism, such as orchard tours, hands-on farming experiences, and rowing boats along canals.
“The Tan Phong handicraft village is a major advantage for developing community-based tourism. We continue to support training in visitor reception skills, develop OCOP products, and link with nearby tourism sites so that visitors to Tan Phong can enjoy more experiences,” said Tran Van Trung, Vice Chairman of the Hiep Duc Commune People’s Committee.
At the same time, the locality needs to improve infrastructure to strengthen connections with Tan Phong Islet for further tourism development. The goal is to create job opportunities for the local community while expanding facilities for tourism services and cultural experiences. The locality is also coordinating with travel agencies within and outside Dong Thap Province to include Tan Phong in fixed tour itineraries, while expanding linkages with fruit orchards, homestays, and river-based destinations.
