OUR STORY

EMBROIDERED PAINTINGS OF HOMELAND AND NATIONAL SYMBOLS

Just 20 kilometers south of Hanoi’s city center, along the old National Highway 1A, lies the ancestral land of traditional embroidery in Khoai Noi village, Thang Loi commune, Thuong Tin district. Since ancient times, the embroiderers of Thuong Tin have taken immense pride in their hometown, for it was the birthplace of a man of great talent, virtue, and significant contributions to the nation. His name was Bui Quoc Khai, a native of Quat Dong village. A brilliant scholar from a young age, he became a mandarin in the Le Dynasty, and the king later bestowed upon him the noble name Le Cong Hanh.

In the 17th century, Le Cong Hanh was sent as a royal envoy to China. During his time abroad, he mastered the art of embroidery. Upon his return, he passed down his valuable techniques and experience to the people of five local communes in Thuong Tin district. From that point on, the craft of hand embroidery flourished throughout the country, and Le Cong Hanh came to be honored as the Forefather of Vietnamese Embroidery. In gratitude for his legacy, the people of the five communes built a temple in his honor, known as the Ngu Xa Temple.

For hundreds of years, though the craft has faced its share of ups and downs, those deeply devoted to their homeland have always found ways to keep the art of hand embroidery alive. Many have followed in the footsteps of their ancestors, building the reputation and brand of this renowned region. Even today, in an age of advanced science and technology, it can be said that no modern machine can replicate the exquisite, masterful lines crafted by the hands of an artisan—lines that hold the embroiderer’s very soul and emotions. Thus, the precious value and refined essence of Vietnam’s traditional hand embroidery have been created, preserved, and celebrated.

Among the most prominent workshops in this traditional village is “Xuan Nguyen Embroidery,” run by an artisan couple, Le Van Nguyen and Le Thi Xuan. Xuan Nguyen is a name combining their own. Mr. Le Van Nguyen was officially recognized by the state as an Artisan of Hand Embroidery in 2011 and was further honored with the title of Meritorious Artisan in 2024. His wife, Mrs. Le Thi Xuan, was also named an Artisan by the city of Hanoi in 2019. Born into a family with a long embroidery tradition in Khoai Noi village, Xuan Nguyen had the craft passed down to them from a young age by their grandmother and parents. With over 30 years of professional experience, they now have thousands of unique, artistic, and durable hand-embroidered works on display at their workshop.

Despite facing early challenges in a market economy and the pressures of making a living, driven by their relentless effort and a burning passion for their craft, Xuan Nguyen successfully built their embroidery workshop. They have created stable jobs for local residents, participated in vocational training for rural workers, and contributed many valuable works of art to the world. Their embroidered products are known for their high technical skill, diverse designs, rich variety, aesthetic appeal, durability, and eco-friendliness.

According to artisan Le Van Nguyen, creating a complete embroidered masterpiece requires numerous steps, including designing the pattern, printing it, transferring the design onto fabric, and carefully selecting colored threads before the embroidery can even begin. Traditional hand embroidery involves nine fundamental techniques: Noi dau, luot van, dam so, bo bat, dot cay xa, sa hat nhuy don – sa hat kep, khoan vay don – khoan vay kep, and chang chan. The most intricate work involves embroidering curved lines, borders, and shapes; creating raised textures on leaves and flower calyxes; and, most especially, capturing the soul in a portrait. The goal is to ensure the threads interlace smoothly and the stitches are tight and concealed. The smoother the threads and the more hidden the stitches, the greater the aesthetic value of the final piece.

Today, their products are registered with a trademark: a logo depicting a conical hat containing the letters “XN.” This image symbolizes a mother, who, like the conical hat, always supports and protects her children. The main product lines from Xuan Nguyen Embroidery have gained popularity among both domestic and international customers, including: Embroidered paintings of homeland and national symbols, landscape paintings, portraits, floral designs, feng shui art, calligraphy, the four seasons, and pet portraits, as well as hand-embroidered hair accessories, blouses, scarves, ao dai, fashion bags, and mirrors.

“Embroidered Paintings of Homeland and National Symbols” is a collection into which artisan Le Van Nguyen pours immense passion and emotion. These are renowned works of art depicting the cultural and historical icons of the nation, its various regions, and especially the capital city of Hanoi. Many pieces have become synonymous with the artisan’s name, such as Turtle Tower, Hoan Kiem Lake, The Huc Bridge, and the One Pillar Pagoda. The talented artisan weaves these national symbols into a vibrant tapestry of emotions, infusing every single stitch with deep meaning. They are unique and heartfelt gifts that embody the spirit of the homeland, perfect for loved ones and for friends visiting Vietnam.

With a desire to preserve the values of their traditional craft, to breathe the Vietnamese spirit into every piece, and to bring high-quality products to consumers at home and abroad, the hand-embroidered works from Xuan Nguyen are a testament to their dedication. Each piece is the culmination of the intellect, skillful hands, and passionate hearts of the artisans from their homeland of Thuong Tin.