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| Tiem's shop |
Immersed in the art of indigo dyeing, Cong Bang shares that it is a craft requiring meticulousness, patience, and experience. The couple sources fresh indigo leaves from the highlands of Ha Giang, which are then fermented to produce indigo paste. This paste is further fermented for seven days with lime and rice wine to create what they call an “indigo vat”, which is then ready for dyeing.
As lovers of green products, Bang and Nguyen chose linen fabric (fabric made from flax fiber) as the material for their work. The fabric is dipped into the indigo vat for a specific period before being taken out. Once it comes into contact with air, it gradually turns the signature shade of indigo blue. This process is repeated multiple times to achieve the desired depth of color. The more the fabric is dyed, the richer and longer-lasting the hue becomes. Bang shares: “There are many different techniques for creating dye patterns. Depending on the intended use, we choose the most suitable method”.
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| The main color is always indigo blue |
In the heart of Hue Ancient Capital, the story of Nguyen and Bang is weaving new colors into the tapestry of traditional culture. With love and precision, the young couple has carved out their own path while helping preserve a fading craft. Their process is entirely handmade, with a firm stance against harmful chemicals. The result is not just beautiful garments but also environmentally friendly creations, each item a one-of-a-kind original, with its own unique character.
What makes Nguyen and Bang’s creations even more special are the patterns deep in local cultural identity. From intricate royal motifs to familiar images of Vietnamese countryside life, their work vividly illustrates stories from a land rich in tradition. Not only subdue Vietnamese hearts, these handcrafted items are also especially adored by international tourists.
Many of their orders have already been shipped to the United States and Singapore. Every successful delivery is a step forward in Nguyen and Bang’s mission to share the beauty of Vietnam’s cultural heritage with the world.
In their small house, which also serves as their dyeing workshop, Bang and Nguyen have made a sustainable commitment to both the environment and public health through their choice of natural indigo dyeing. However, this eco-friendly method comes with significant challenges. Indigo dyeing requires much more time and effort than industrial dyeing. From fermenting the indigo leaves to repeated dyeing cycles to achieve the desired shade, every step demands high levels of discipline and patience.
Since their work is entirely handmade, the price of each item is considerably higher than mass-produced industrial goods. This presents a major barrier to reaching a broader consumer base. Their products are niche, only attracting customers who truly understand and appreciate the value of handmade craftsmanship and its environmental benefits. As a result, expanding the market and scaling up production remains difficult for Tiem Chi. Currently, they have a small shop at Son.studio, but most of their sales are done online.
As the fashion and consumer industries gradually pivot toward sustainability and environmental consciousness, natural indigo dyeing is experiencing a revival. Designers and brand names are increasingly turning to natural materials and handcrafted processes to produce unique, valuable items. This aligns precisely with Tiem Chi's vision and mission.
Emerging from the growing number of “handmade markets” in the Ancient Capital, handcrafted items are becoming more accessible to both locals and tourists. Hopefully, in the near future, locally inspired handmade products like those created by Cong Bang and Minh Nguyen will gain greater recognition and contribute not only to a greener market but also to the economic value of Hue’s cultural heritage.