1. Introduction to Nga Son Mat - Symbol of Thanh Hoa's Craft Village
Nga Son mat stands out for its simplicity and sophistication, handcrafted from selected rush fibers in Nga Son commune, Thanh Hoa province. This coastal area, located about 35 km from the center of Thanh Hoa, is where a traditional craft has been passed down for over three centuries. The characteristic of this brackish land area creates ideal conditions for rush to grow and provides high-quality raw materials, unmatched anywhere else.
Nga Son Commune is located about 35 km from the center of Thanh Hoa. (Source: Google Maps)
Nga Son rush mats are famous throughout the country for their superior quality with long, glossy, supple rush fibers; containing deep cultural value through each handcrafted weave; along with a rich tradition spanning many generations. The rush fibers here are small, long, and have a natural sheen, making the products both durable and attractive, creating a cool feeling in summer and warmth in winter.
Not just a household item, Nga Son mats have become a spiritual bridge between generations in Vietnamese families, present on important occasions such as weddings and Tet holidays with the meaning of bringing luck and happiness. Thanks to that special cultural value, Nga Son rush mats are considered a proud intangible heritage of the Thanh land.
2. History and origin of development of Nga Son mats
2.1. Formation of the Nga Son rush mat weaving village
Setting foot in the Nga Son mat village, visitors feel like they are going back in time. At that time, in the tidal flood-prone coastal land of Nga Son, rush plants grew abundantly alongside mangrove trees, creating favorable natural conditions for the mat weaving craft to form. The people utilized the readily available raw materials to create unique handcrafted products.
In the feudal era, Nga Son sedge mats were chosen as tribute to the court. (Source: Collected)
In the feudal era, Nga Son sedge mats were chosen as tribute to the court, affirming their outstanding quality and important position in society at that time. This contributed to encouraging artisans to continuously improve weaving techniques, helping the craft village develop prosperously, products were increasingly widely traded and gradually reached the international market, making practical contributions to the local economy through the ages.
2.2. Notable craft villages preserving the heritage of Nga Son mats
Exploring Nga Son mats becomes more meaningful when visiting typical craft villages such as Ngoc Vuong, Ho Vuong in Ho Vuong commune; Tien Thanh, Tien An, Tien Hai, Hai Tien, Tien Giap in Tan Tien commune. Each village has its own unique characteristics in weaving techniques as well as pattern creation, contributing to enriching the product of Nga Son sedge mats.
The communities of these craft villages play a significant role in preserving folk knowledge and characteristic weaving techniques. Through village festivals and daily life, precious secrets are passed down from generation to generation. Artisan families are always proud of their mat weaving skills, while contributing to preserving and enriching Vietnamese cultural identity.
3. Traditional Nga Son mat production process
3.1. Cultivation and harvesting of sedge in the Nga Son region
The brackish land, where tidal surges deposit silt along the Nga Son coast, is the decisive factor for the quality of Nga Son sedge mats. Fertile land, rich in silt mixed with seawater, creates an extremely suitable environment for the sedge plant to grow healthily with long, flexible, and durable stalks. This natural condition has brought about sedge fibers of superior quality, difficult to confuse with any other place.
The Nga Son region has an extremely suitable environment for sedge to grow healthily. (Source: Collected)
Sedge growers in Nga Son usually grow 2 crops: the Chiêm crop harvested from June-July and the mùa crop harvested in October-November.Choosing the harvest time is very important to ensure the sedge reaches optimal maturity. After harvesting, each sedge stalk is carefully sorted by size and quality, suitable for different types of Nga Son mats.
3.2. Processing and hand-weaving stages
Turning sedge stalks into complete Nga Son mats requires the skill and patience of the artisan. After cutting, the sedge fibers are split into small pieces with a knife, then dried in the sun for many consecutive days to reach the standard dryness. The fiber selection stage requires meticulousness, only selecting sedge fibers that meet the requirements for durability and aesthetics for the product.
The weaving process of Nga Son sedge mats is divided into two types: simple white mats and patterned mats with eye-catching motifs. Artisans use large wooden looms, all done by hand with skillful movements honed over years of practice. For patterned mats, motifs and colors are created from natural dyes, combined with experienced hands to produce unique patterns. Each traditional Nga Son mat requires tens of hours of careful labor, demonstrating dedication in every product.
4. Outstanding features of Nga Son mats
4.1. Sedge fiber material: The secret to creating durability and beauty
Nga Son sedge fiber stands out with its natural golden sheen, being soft, durable, flexible, and resistant to breakage during long-term use. Its porous nature and good moisture absorption help Nga Son mats stay dry and cool, suitable for the hot summer days characteristic of Vietnam's climate. This provides a comfortable feeling when used, and is also suitable for different seasons and weather conditions.
Nga Son sedge fiber is distinguished by its natural golden sheen, softness, flexibility, and resistance to breakage or crushing during long-term use. (Source: Collected)
The distinguishing feature of Nga Son sedge is its finer and longer fibers compared to sedge from other regions, creating a smooth mat surface and impressive durability. High-quality Nga Son sedge mats can be used for many consecutive years while retaining their original color and shape. The characteristic of keeping warm in winter and cool in summer further makes the product a trusted choice for many families.
4.2. Exquisite Weaving Techniques and Unique Patterns
The craft of making Nga Son mats showcases sophistication through entirely hand-woven techniques, combining the dexterity of hands, the keenness of eyes, and the creativity of artisans. Each mat-weaving family preserves its own secret patterns, passing them down through generations as a precious cultural asset. The interplay between traditional motifs and modern creative elements has made Nga Son sedge mats increasingly diverse and attractive.
Today, Nga Son mats are not only found in households but are also chosen to decorate spaces in high-class hotels and restaurants, creating a sense of closeness to nature. The combination of tradition and modernity in interior design has made Nga Son sedge mats a favorite highlight for architects, bringing a cozy and comfortable feeling to modern living spaces.
4.3. Cultural Value: Nga Son Mats in Customs and Festivals
Beyond their practical value, Nga Son mats are also symbolic in many Vietnamese rituals and customs. In wedding ceremonies, a new pair of mats symbolizes the union and happiness of the couple. During Tet (Lunar New Year), many families choose to buy new Nga Son sedge mats to wish for good luck and prosperity throughout the year.
In Thanh Hoa province, Nga Son mats are featured in traditional festivals such as village craft festivals, sedge planting festivals, or the ritual of parading new mats at the beginning of the year. These activities honor the value of the craft while preserving the nation's cultural beauty from generation to generation. Once an item offered to the royal court, Nga Son sedge mats are a source of pride for those dedicated to the traditional weaving profession.
5. Economic Value and Modern Development of Nga Son Mats
5.1. Nga Son Mats and the Export Market
Nga Son mats have affirmed their quality in the international market, becoming one of Vietnam's representative handicraft products reaching the world. Currently, Nga Son sedge mats are exported to many countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the USA, meeting the growing demand for environmentally friendly products. These markets have their own requirements for quality and design, enabling artisans to continuously innovate techniques and creative designs.
Previously, Nga Son mats were primarily exported to the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries. As the market changed, the craft village quickly adapted, expanding to various regions. This transformation demonstrates the adaptability and sustainable development of a traditional craft, while also proving the position of Nga Son sedge mats in the modern economy.
5.2. Diversification of Sedge Products
The continuous creativity of the people of Nga Son has helped expand sedge products beyond the traditional mat. Many items such as floor mats, car mats, interior decorations, handbags, slippers, and high-end decorative handicraft products have become high-value export products. The trend towards living closer to nature and prioritizing environmentally friendly products offers many opportunities for products made from Nga Son sedge.
Many high-end handicraft decorative products have become high-value economic export products. (Source: Collected)
Novel designs combined with traditional weaving techniques have created a unique line of handicraft art products, favored by domestic and international designers for use in high-end interiors. Diversification not only increases economic value but also opens doors for the development of the Nga Son sedge mat craft village.
5.3. The sedge mat craft and its impact on life and tourism in Nga Son
The Nga Son sedge mat weaving craft currently provides stable employment for many local workers, helping to increase income, improve living conditions, build homes, and invest in education. The development of this craft also contributes to community cohesion, encouraging many young people to choose to stay in their hometowns to develop their careers.
Tourism activities in the Nga Son sedge mat craft village are increasingly attractive as visitors can directly experience the mat weaving stages with artisans, visit the production process, thereby deeply feeling the local cultural values. Combining village craft tours with exploring sacred destinations like Nua Am Tien Temple, visitors will have the opportunity to fully enjoy the characteristic cultural atmosphere and scenery of Thanh Hoa land.
6. Preservation value and future development of Nga Son sedge mats
6.1. Preserving the craft village, connecting tradition, and innovative creativity
The Nga Son commune government along with the craft village community are actively preserving and developing the Nga Son sedge mat weaving craft through many practical support policies. Vocational training programs for the young generation are organized regularly, ensuring traditional weaving techniques are not lost. The combination of preserving identity and innovative creativity has resulted in products that are both traditional and suitable for modern tastes.
Preserving craft villages, actively safeguarding and developing the Nga Son mat weaving craft. (Source: Collection)
The application of technology in preserving and promoting products helps Nga Son mats reach more domestic and international customers. E-commerce channels and social media are increasingly becoming effective tools to introduce products and spread the story of the craft village's cultural value. As a result, the brand is becoming more widely known in the international market.
6.2. Development trends of Nga Son rush mats and sustainable export potential
The development orientation for Nga Son mats in the coming time focuses on improving product quality and expanding production on the foundation of sustainable development. Investing in training young artisans, improving techniques, and diversifying products are important steps for the craft village to develop strongly and meet the increasing demands of the market. Expanding export markets presents a great opportunity as environmentally friendly products and handicrafts are increasingly popular.
The model of craft village tourism associated with cultural heritage is being promoted, bringing the image of Thanh Hoa along with Nga Son rush mats onto the tourism map of Vietnam. The combination of cultural experiences, spiritual tourism, and handicraft shopping creates an attractive tourism value chain. This development direction not only contributes to preserving traditional crafts but also builds a strong local economy, integrating with the international community.
Nga Son mats are not just handicrafts but also a unique cultural symbol of Thanh land. From soft rush fibers, the skillful hands of artisans have created mats with enduring value. Soon, visitors to this land can also visit the Huyen Tich Am Tien project, a new cultural and tourist destination promising to recreate the legendary space and unique history of the Thanh region. When completed and opened, this place will become an attractive stopover, connecting traditional craft village experiences with a journey to explore the cultural depth of the Nga Son region.
