A significant quantity of the silk sold in Vietnam - up to 70 percent - is locally made, and many weavers are rediscovering traditional methods for producing the highest-grade fabrics. Indeed, approximately 20 percent of Vietnamese silk continues to be hand-woven.
The cultivation of mulberry and the silk weaving which goes along with it is a particular specialism of Mai Chu, a premier silk town with an impressive history in the craft. Those who live in Mai Chu saw their town rise to prominence back in the 15th century, during the second year of the Hong Duc tradition. This was due to the migration of people from the north, who brought their silk weaving practices with them.
