Handicrafts represent the rich heritage of a country. Vietnamese craftsmen indulge in bringing forth the history, culture and tradition of the nation in handcrafted items.

Handicrafts of Vietnam are known all over the world. It can be great souvenirs for your dear ones and mementos to remind you of the wonderful time you spent in this fascinating land.

Cute Vietnamese hats – Non La

The cute Vietnamese hats called Non La are another handicrafts you can take back home. Tall conical hats can be seen everywhere in Vietnam, from a farmer working in the field to a vendor selling spring rolls on the street to the smart well dressed business women, everyone dons a conical hat to beat the scorching heat or to seek refuge from the rain.

The hats are made up fresh young leaves wrapped around 16 to 18 rims of bamboo and stitched together by a special thread called doac. Some hats are plain and some have images painted on them. These hats are very pretty and graceful; as they are hand sewn, they are very much in demand abroad especially in the U.S.

Hand made fan

Another popular handicraft of Vietnam is the hand made fan. This fan is made of bamboo silk or paper and have beautiful images painted on them. Some fans come with stands. The silk fans are a bit expensive and with the beautiful images painted on them, they make a wonderful show piece. Vietnamese fans are used in Vietnam to cool off the sweltering heat while abroad they are used as decoration pieces.

Silk paintings

Silk paintings are perhaps the most popular handicraft of Vietnam. Vietnam is known for its silk. Silk is called the national treasure of Vietnam and a lot of people are involved in silk making throughout Vietnam.

The traditional hand looms have been replaced by modern power looms and the patterns are computerized. Silk is used for a lot of purposes such as the canvass for silk paintings, silk lanterns etc. Silk paintings come with white and colored black ground and have exquisite images painted on them.

Wooden Handicraft

“Handicraft”, as the name suggests, is the traditional art of creating useful and decorative items entirely by hand. Thus, wooden handicraft is a craft where skilled labor is employed to decorate or carve wood to create items with bare minimum tools.

India takes the pride of superlative craftsmanship which reflects the right shades of traditional beauty and style. Important to mention here is the fact that goods involving mass production or machinery are not considered as “Handicraft”

Wooden Handicrafts of India

You will find carved and inlaid wooden items, wood lacquering work, wooden sculptures & statues and many other types of wooden handicrafts in India. Carved wood furniture of Northern India is famous for its incomparable craftsmanship. Other states too have developed distinct styles of wood carvings.

Rajasthan is also noted for its carved sandalwood and rosewood apart from the heavy ornamental furniture. If you can not take back heavy furniture, you will find all types of other wooden handicrafts like toys, cigar boxes, mirror frames, pen holders and many other wood craft items in India. If interested in them, know more about State wise wooden handicrafts of India.