How Mountains Of Worm Cocoons Are Turned Into Expensive Silk In Vietnam | Big Business

Summary

In Nam Cao, Vietnam, silk production thrives thanks to traditional methods and innovative efforts. Silk weaving, passed down for generations, involves a meticulous 30-step process from silkworm farming to hand-pulling threads and dyeing with natural colors. The industry faced challenges in the 2000s with counterfeit silk and climate issues. However, Hạnh, a local entrepreneur, revitalized the craft by introducing modern technology and better working conditions, leading to increased production and higher wages for farmers. Today, the cooperative produces high-quality silk for various products, preserving a centuries-old tradition.

Takeaways

• 🧵 Each cocoon contains almost 1,000 feet of silk, produced by silkworms raised by farmers in Nam Cao, Vietnam.
• 👗 Silk from Nam Cao is highly valuable, selling for up to $150 per dress due to the delicate and labor-intensive process involved.
• 🌱 Silkworms are raised on a diet of harvested leaves, which are rich in nutrients, and they need a controlled environment to survive.
• 🏡 Nearly the entire village of Nam Cao works in the silk industry, using techniques passed down for generations.
• 🌡️ Rising temperatures and fake silk from China almost destroyed the local silk industry a decade ago.
• 💡 Hạnh revitalized the industry by encouraging farmers to invest in new technologies and produce more profitable silk products.
• 🍃 The 30-step silk production process starts with feeding the worms and culminates in weaving and dyeing the silk with natural ingredients like gac fruit and turmeric.
• 🕸️ Families hand-pull the delicate silk threads, a skill passed down through generations, before the silk is woven and sold.
• 💪 Thanks to modern innovations, farmers can now produce over 2,200 pounds of cocoons annually, significantly boosting their income.
• 👩‍🌾 Hạnh's efforts have improved working conditions and wages, attracting more families to the cooperative and aiming to draw young talent back to the silk industry.

Q & A

What is the significance of the silk produced in Nam Cao, Vietnam?

Silk from Nam Cao, Vietnam, is highly valuable, selling for up to $150 per dress due to its delicate production process. The village is a key player in Vietnam's silk industry, which is the second-biggest producer of raw silk in the world.

Why is raising silkworms considered a difficult task?

Raising silkworms is challenging because they are always hungry and need to be fed every four hours. They also require a sterile environment and a precise temperature of around 22°C to survive and thrive.

What role did Hạnh play in reviving the silk industry in Nam Cao?

Hạnh played a crucial role in reviving the silk industry in Nam Cao by organizing farmers into cooperatives, introducing air-conditioning units for more stable worm raising, and helping to stabilize silk prices, making the industry more profitable.

What is the process of producing silk from silkworms in Nam Cao?

The silk production process in Nam Cao involves harvesting mulberry leaves to feed the worms, raising them in a controlled environment, hand-pulling the silk from cocoons after boiling, and weaving the silk into fabric, often dyed with natural dyes.

How do farmers in Nam Cao ensure the quality of silk cocoons?

Farmers ensure the quality of silk cocoons by maintaining a controlled environment for the worms, protecting them from bees, and ensuring they have sunny weather for proper cocoon coloration. They also hand-pull the silk to maintain its quality.

How did fake silk from China affect Vietnam's silk industry?

Fake silk from China flooded the market, driving down the prices of real silk. This, along with climate change, caused significant challenges for Vietnam's silk producers, threatening the industry’s survival in places like Nam Cao.

What traditional dyeing methods are used in Nam Cao to color the silk?

In Nam Cao, silk is dyed using natural ingredients such as gac fruit for red, almond leaves or turmeric for yellow, tallow leaves for black, and Indigofera for indigo, following techniques that have been passed down for generations.

What was the economic impact of the silk cooperative on the families in Nam Cao?

The cooperative Hạnh helped establish allows families in Nam Cao to make up to $12,000 a year, a high wage for the area, helping boost their livelihoods and reinvest in their village.

How did environmental changes affect silkworm farming in Vietnam?

Increasing temperatures and more frequent storms in the 2000s created an unstable environment for silkworm farming, leading to lower yields and threatening the silk industry’s sustainability.

Why is silk considered a versatile material in Nam Cao?

Silk produced in Nam Cao is known for its ability to control moisture and temperature, making it suitable for use in various products like sofa covers, curtains, suits, pillowcases, and sheets. It’s breathable in the summer and insulating in the winter.