Dinh Yen Village in Dong Thap Province has preserved a traditional mat-weaving craft for over 100 years, alongside its famous rice fields and fruit orchards.
The village is located along the Hau River, where fertile alluvial soil supports the growth of sedge and bulrush, the primary materials used to make handwoven mats. Researchers say early settlers from the northern coastal provinces of Thai Binh and Nam Dinh brought the weaving tradition with them when they migrated south, helping the craft establish itself in Dinh Yen.
Most weaving households are located near the Dinh Yen communal house. Brightly colored mats—usually dyed in shades of green, yellow, and red—are often seen drying around the communal house and along village roads, creating an image closely tied to the local craft.
Bulrush is harvested, dried, and dyed multiple times to produce vibrant, long-lasting colors. Artisans emphasize that sturdy mats need mature plants and careful selection of fiber lengths before weaving. The process involves several manual steps, including cutting, drying, dyeing, and weaving.
Local products range from simple mats to patterned designs featuring motifs such as shells, storks, or traditional wedding symbols. Millions of mats are produced each year, valued for their durability and eco-friendliness. The craft provides income for local households, supports rural economic stability, and creates jobs for residents. In 2013, the Dinh Yen mat-weaving craft was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
To boost output, some producers have added machinery to certain stages of production. According to the Dong Thap government portal, the village currently uses 620 weaving machines, 62 edging machines, two thread-twisting machines, and two polishing machines. A total of 431 households rely on mat weaving for their livelihoods.
Dinh Yen produces over 1.3 million mats each year, generating approximately VND80 billion in revenue and offering steady jobs to nearly 3,800 people involved in production, trade, and related services.
Furthermore, Dinh Yen was once famous for its nighttime “ghost market,” a gathering held in the courtyard of the communal house and local pagodas, illuminated only by oil lamps. Traders traveled on foot or by boat to purchase sedge and finished mats. The flickering lamps in the darkness created an atmosphere that led villagers to call it the “ghost market.”
In recent years, local authorities and the Dong Thap tourism sector have revived the tradition as a cultural attraction to promote the province to both domestic and international visitors.
