HANOI - THE CITY FOR PEACE
Tu Van, a traditional flag-making village in Le Loi commune, Thuong Tin district, is located about 30 km south of the Hanoi center. It is famous for its traditional weaving, tailoring, and embroidery crafts. This is where millions of Vietnamese national flags are made to serve for the country’s major events and holidays.
In August 1945, preparing for the August Revolution, the Resistance Committee called on artisans in Tu Van village to sew national flags in preparation for the uprising. On the historic day of September 2nd, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence under thousands of red flags with yellow stars made by the people of Tu Van village. Thus the craft of making national flags was born from that moment.
Today, following the tradition of their forefathers, Tu Van artisans still maintain and develop the craft of making national flags. The manufacturing process has been automated, improving labor productivity, reducing pressure on the workers, and turning out products of higher quality. Previously, flag-making was mainly done by hand, which was time-consuming, labor-intensive, required many workers, and had low productivity. Since the introduction of modern equipment, computer programming, especially laser cutting machines, the productivity has greatly increased.
It is known that the process of creating a five-pointed star on the flag is the most technically demanding. How to place the star in the center of the fabric frame, and the ensuring of absolute accuracy of stitches when sewing or embroidering is the most difficult step. In addition, the selection of fabrics also determines the quality of the flag.
Unlike clothing fabrics, the material used to make the national flag must have high-quality, withstand rain and sunlight, and prevent relatively color fade cause by time. Therefore, 3 main types of fabrics are used, including polyester and nylon with outdoor durability of about 8-10 months. A national flag must have a size that follows the standard ratio of 2:3. The five-pointed yellow star must be in the middle of the flag. The radius from the center to the tip of the star should be 1/5 of the length of the flag. The national flag must be sewn with 2 solid threads to ensure durability. The star must be sewn on both sides of the flag fabric. Some businesses currently only sew the star on one side, which does not comply with the regulations and aesthetics on the flag. Flag- making does not require high technical skills but requires meticulousness. Traditional Tu Van artisans are careful in every needle stitch to produce exquisite products. Each family in Tu Van village is a workshop; members in the family work together, taking responsibility for every process to produce national flags that would fly on every streets across the country.
For the people of this craft village, flag-making is not just for income but also a pride. It is viewed as a sacred job that not everyone is lucky enough to do.
In the joyful atmosphere of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day, millions of flags are raised all over the country. From Ca Mau to Mong Cai, everywhere is filled with red color. That air comes from the love and national pride of the artisans who work tirelessly both day and night.
In the urbanization process and the development of various new crafts, many households in Tu Van have also switched to other types of products. The number of households purely making national flags in Tu Van village is really decreasing. However, there are still passionate people who love and keep the craft; they realize that preserving and developing the craft village not only brings stable income to the workers and households in the village but also shows patriotism and national pride. On important events, national holidays, or international football tournaments, the image of the Vietnamese flag flying in the stands or streets over the country, make the people of Tu Van village feel proud, thrilled and strongly confident that the craft of making flags will last forever together with the nation, notwithstanding ups and downs.
Nguyen Hien