Modernising traditional silk
Silk is one of Vietnam’s oldest traditional handicrafts, deeply embedded in the country’s cultural heritage. It has been the pride of many renowned craft villages such as Van Phuc (Hanoi), Nha Xa (Ha Nam Province), Bao Loc (Lam Dong Province), and Tan Chau (An Giang Province). Over thousands of years, sericulture and silk have evolved beyond mere craftsmanship to symbolise Vietnamese people’s sophistication and ingenuity.
Many young people think silk is often seen as a product reserved for the "fashion-savvy"—luxurious, expensive, and sometimes even "old-fashioned," making it seem less appealing to Gen Z.
With a deep love for Vietnamese silk, Tran Minh Nhi is determined to change this perception and bring silk closer to young consumers. She has chosen to incorporate silk into unique, modern, and youthful designs, creating products such as scarves, dresses, shirts, and pillowcases.
Her products retain the high quality of silk woven using traditional methods but exude a contemporary and youthful vibe through patterns, motifs, and decorative designs. Du Nhien’s products have been well received by customers, earning positive feedback.
Sharing her passion for silk, Tran Minh Nhi recalled that it all started with a visit to Nha Xa Village, where endless strips of silk were laid out to dry. She was captivated by the silk’s beauty and the traditional craft of sericulture and weaving. With her love for silk and a young artisan’s deep concern for preserving Vietnam’s heritage, Nhi became determined to bring silk closer to consumers, especially younger generations.
Nhi shared: “We want to create a new creative space for Nha Xa and Vietnamese silk. We strive to preserve age-old weaving techniques while integrating modern designs to produce unique and innovative silk products. By doing so, we maintain the inherent beauty of silk while meeting contemporary aesthetic demands.”
By founding Du Nhien, Tran Minh Nhi also hopes to bring together Gen Z youths who share a passion for preserving traditional craftsmanship while embracing youthful creativity.
Du Nhien’s goal is to cater to the growing demand for custom tailoring and authentic Vietnamese silk experiences. Each product from Du Nhien, whether an Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress), Ao ba ba (southern women's traditional costume), yem (camisole), silk scarves, or pillowcases, is meticulously handcrafted for a perfect fit and high practicality, allowing customers to fully appreciate the elegance of Vietnamese silk.
Sharing more about her decision to use silk as the primary material in her creations, Nhi explained: “As the world shifts toward sustainable fashion, we chose silk because it is an environmentally friendly fabric—biodegradable and non-polluting. Using silk in our designs, we aim to preserve and promote traditional craftsmanship while contributing to environmental protection and a sustainable, green lifestyle”.
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Although Du Nhien has been on the market for less than a year, its products have already gained recognition from many international customers. |
Aspirations to promote authentic Vietnamese products to the world
Creating unique and eco-friendly products is already challenging, but making them accessible to a broader audience is even more difficult. As a distinctive and high-value material, silk often comes with a premium price tag, making it less accessible to young consumers.
Beyond that, in her pursuit of producing purely Vietnamese products, Nhi and her team have faced numerous obstacles, from sourcing high-quality raw materials to maintaining a skilled artisan workforce, which pose significant challenges.
Undeterred by difficulties, Minh Nhi traveled across Vietnam’s traditional craft villages, from the historic Nha Xa silk village to the renowned silk workshops of Van Phuc. She eagerly learned from experienced artisans, acquiring invaluable insights into sericulture, silk-reeling, dyeing, and weaving techniques.
Minh Nhi shared: “I have traveled to many places, carefully documenting everything I have learned to build a solid foundation of knowledge. Only by doing so can I create the finest silk products for consumers”.
Nhi and her team at Du Nhien have been preserving traditional silk craftsmanship and adapting it to contemporary consumer preferences. They have been continuously innovating in creating fresh and unique designs that appeal to modern tastes while retaining the essence of Vietnamese silk.
Like any entrepreneurial journey, theirs has not been without setbacks. However, the young people from Du Nhien remained undeterred. With the belief that perseverance leads to success, they took each challenge as a learning opportunity—redesigning, refining, and enhancing their creations based on customer feedback. Every misstep became a valuable lesson that contributed to their growth.
Leveraging their youthful energy and digital savviness, the team have effectively utilised social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to expand their reach. This approach helped them gain traction among local customers and attracted international buyers. Many tourists now seek out Du Nhien to purchase authentic Vietnamese handcrafted silk products—each piece a testament to tradition, creativity, and the passion of Vietnam’s young artisans.
Encouraged by their initial success, Nhi and other members from Du Nhien are determined to expand beyond the domestic market. Their ambition is to introduce Vietnamese silk to international consumers, with an initial focus on promising markets such as China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.
“I want to promote truly Vietnamese products to the world. Natural, chemical-free, and eco-friendly items are becoming a priority for many international customers, and Vietnamese silk holds immense potential in this trend. More importantly, we want the world to recognise Vietnamese silk—not just as a centuries-old tradition, but as a vibrant, innovative craft shaped by the creativity of today’s young generation.”, Nhien added.
With this vision, Du Nhien is actively refining its designs, ensuring the highest quality, and exploring new avenues for global outreach. The journey ahead is challenging, but with passion, dedication, and the youth’s drive, they are poised to make Vietnamese silk a cherished name worldwide.
