Palm blind making in Quang Yen

The palm tree, deeply associated with the midlands of Phu Tho, has been featured in numerous poetic works and holds a special place in the hearts of many generations. Over time, however, palm trees have gradually disappeared due to urbanization and their relatively low economic value. Yet in Quang Yen Commune, Thanh Ba District, lush green palm forests and the traditional craft of palm blind making continue to be preserved.

Quang Yen Commune is home to approximately 99 hectares of palm trees, mainly concentrated in the areas of Hung Long, Minh Tan, Kieu Xuan, and Dong Tho. With nearly 100 hectares of palm forests, the commune supplies palm fruits, leaves, and raw materials to markets within and beyond the province.

Quang Yen commune currently has about 99 hectares of palm trees.

According to Nguyen Thanh Long, Vice Chairman of the Quang Yen Commune People’s Committee, palm trees have long been an integral part of local life in this predominantly agricultural community. From palm trees, people can thatch roofs with palm leaves, make brooms, sell palm fruits to traders, or provide palm stems to households producing blinds and handicrafts. On average, each hectare of palm trees generates an income of 20–30 million VND per year. While not a high amount, it provides a stable source of income for many families and contributes to preserving traditional crafts.

This place still preserves the traditional craft of making palm blinds that has been preserved for decades.

One of the longest-preserved traditional crafts in Quang Yen is palm blind making. Le Van Thinh, a resident of Kieu Xuan, has been engaged in this craft for 26 years. He shared that palm wine making first appeared in the commune around 45–50 years ago. During that time, large-scale palm blind production workshops and cooperatives operated in Phu Tho Town, Doan Hung District, and Viet Tri City. Mr. Thinh initially supplied raw materials to these workshops, but after years in the trade, he recognized the local availability of raw materials and decided to establish his own palm blind production workshop at home.

Le Van Thinh, a resident of Kieu Xuan, has been engaged in the craft of palm blind making for 26 years.

According to Mr. Thinh, palm blind making is not particularly difficult; however, crafting high-quality blinds that appeal to customers requires skill and experience. The process begins with sourcing raw materials, selecting and preparing bamboo strips, drying them, and smoothing them out. In the past, shaving bamboo was a labor-intensive manual task that demanded precision and patience to ensure a high-quality finish. Today, machines have taken over this step, significantly reducing time and effort while still producing smooth, evenly shaved bamboo strips.

The first step in making a blind is to buy raw materials, mix the bamboo strips, dry them, and then strip them smooth.

Once the bamboo strips are shaved, they are sorted by size, length, and glossiness before being woven. The price of a bamboo blind varies depending on its size and type, typically ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 VND. Blinds woven from palm tree ribs are particularly durable and glossy, making them more expensive than those made from regular bamboo strips.

Traditional palm blinds are not only more affordable than bamboo mats but also significantly more durable than sedge or plastic mats, making them a preferred choice among customers. According to Mr. Thinh, as many areas have shifted to selling Chinese-manufactured blinds and bamboo blinds, his palm blinds now face less competition, allowing his business to expand within and beyond the province.

Customers from Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Thai Binh, and even southern provinces regularly place bulk orders, often requesting hundreds to thousands of blinds at a time. To meet demand, Mr. Thinh’s family frequently hires four to five additional workers. On average, they produce and sell around 3,000 palm blinds annually, generating a stable income that supports their household expenses, home improvements, and overall livelihood.

Making palm blinds is not difficult but requires the meticulousness and dexterity of the craftsman.

Despite many changes over the years, and even though the number of palm blind-making households has decreased, the palm tree remains an iconic part of the Ancestral Land. The craft of palm blind making in Quang Yen Commune, Thanh Ba District, continues to endure and evolve with time.

Ha Tung