‘Bang’ grass weaving competition at the opening ceremony
Ms. Pham Thi Hue, a resident of Pho Trach village (Phong Binh commune), said that launching Bang grass production facility was an important milestone for Pho Trach villagers to restore their craft, which dated back to hundreds of years ago. And at the same time, it was an opportunity for villagers to develop their craft, create jobs and raise incomes.
According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh, Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, launching the production facility for Pho Trach Bang grass craft was the starting point for Phong Binh commune to restore the traditional craft village. In addition to bang cushions, other products such as straws, bags... made from bang grass were very environmentally friendly.
“It is hoped that, in the coming time, Hue Viet Company and local people will continue to procure modern machines, expand production models; and, at the same time, train a skilled team to increase values and outputs of bang grass products for being better off”, Mr. Nguyen Thanh shared.
The project of restoring and developing Pho Trach craft village to 2025 with an orientation to 2030 was approved by Phong Dien District People's Committee with a total budget of VND 3.6 billion. In particular, Phong Binh commune has planned and developed a material zone with an area of 8 hectares, and would increase to 20 hectares by 2030 to create more than 900 jobs.
Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Vice Chairman of Phong Dien District People's Committee, said that in the coming time, the district would support mechanisms and policies to further expand the planting area of bang grass to 20 hectares, including 2 hectares for breeding Bang grass. The district would also continue to support an expansion of the craft production facility, including building a garage, a garden and a display area, and promoting products with the aims of bringing Pho Trach Bang grass products to the markets of Southeast Asia, Eastern and Western Europe.
| The production facility for Pho Trach village Bang grass craft has 3 production rooms with one production chain, 1 weaving showcase platform and 1 display room. It was built on an area of 3,000 square meters with a total budget of VND 2.6 billion, co-sponsored by Phong Dien District People’s Committee (VND 900 million), Phong Binh Commune (VND 1 billion) and Hue Viet Company (VND 700 million). |
Below are photos from the opening ceremony:
Not only are the seniors skilled at weaving Bang grass cushions...
… but their juniors are also trained to proceed with the craft.
Bang grass grows naturally at swamps
After harvesting, local people dry the grass under the sun and then crush them by a big tree trunk
Apart from cushions and mats (for newborn babies), Bang grass is also used to make handbags
Baskets for purses, water bottles, cellphones, fruits…
...or straws
Besides Bang grass straws, the facility has straws made from reed…
… and bamboo straws. All of the above-mentioned products are made from natural and eco-friendly materials.
By Hai Nhan