In north Vietnam H’Mong women traditionally work in agriculture and handicraft.

In the past, the H'mong people frequently moved from place to place carrying maize and flax seeds with them. When a new place was found, Hmong men built forges to make tools such as knives, hoes and plows, while women found soil to grow maize and flax. Maize helped feed the community and flax provided fiber to weave linen for clothing.

Linen making is a unique culture of the local H’Mong ethnic minority. All H’Mong women must make at least 2 linen products during their life: one dress for marriage, and one dress for funeral. They cultivate flax, dye the fibre with organic green and weave the linen. They might also paint the linen with indigo to create unique textile designs. All H’Mong girls are taught how to make linen by their mothers and grandmothers. This culture is deeply embedded in daily life, as almost every woman carries a spool to spin threads while going to the market, farming or doing daily activities.

Producing linen using traditional methods requires meticulous effort and patience as the production cycle includes 18 steps. Flax is a natural raw material, making linen one of the most sustainable textiles known to man. In all steps of production, chemicals are avoided. Even when dying the fabric, women producers only use natural ingredients such as roots, leaves and flowers of many herbal species to develop beautiful colours. The linen products of H’Mong women are 100% organic, environmental-friendly and sustainably produced.

.....................................................................................

There are 23 women members of Can Ty linen cooperative which began operation in 2010. Usually the working hours at the cooperative depends on the season as linen handicraft has become a secondary source of income for most households. All women involved in the cooperative have children and work hard to cover the living costs. They hope to invest more money into the cooperative to increase the number of women producers.

As the income from agriculture continues to decline due to impacts of climate change, more women are looking to join the cooperative to make a second income. To involve more women, the H’Mong linen cooperative requires more equipment like sewing machines, weaving looms and accessories for sewing.

With the support from ActionAid (https://actionaid.org/) the women members have undertaken training delivered by a French consultant to produce marketable linen products to sell in Hanoi. The demand from Hanoi for H’Mong linen has increased and the women cannot supply enough product. The linen cooperative does not have the necessary capital to buy more resources to increase production of linen. They are ready and willing to grow, but they need USD 2,200 to buy 10 sewing machines (USD 220 for a machine) and up to USD 1,000 to buy materials.

Donate!

By giving $10 or more you support 23 H'Mong women and their family members! Each donation will be rewarded with a certificate of appreciation and a sample of linen from the Cooperative. 

"I, Giang Thi Say and women of Can Ty Linen, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, love, care and assisting to make this dream a reality.” statement made by Mrs. Giang Thi Say, representative of women producer group.