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The Ca Hom mat weaving village is mainly concentrated in Ca Hom and Ben Ba villages in Ham Giang commune, Vinh Long province. For generations, mat weaving has been closely associated with the lives of the Khmer people and it is an indispensable part of their daily routine.

It’s said that in the past mats were woven mainly for family use or as gifts for relatives. Over time, from simple products serving daily life, Ca Hom mats have gradually become well-known goods, carrying with them the reputation of a famous craft village in the Mekong Delta.

What makes Ca Hom mats unique is not only the natural material but also the distinctive patterns that bear the strong imprint of Khmer culture. The interwoven shades of red, green, purple, and yellow on a white rush background create a beauty that is both vibrant and familiar, reflecting the simple yet artistic spirit of the people of the Mekong Delta region.

Handcrafted mats win the hearts of many consumers among countless modern industrial products.

For many families in Ca Hom village, mat weaving is not just a means of livelihood but an integral part of their lives. Diep Thi Som, 76, has followed the career for over half a century. She is considered one of the souls of preserving the traditional sedge mat craft in Ca Hom.

She recalls how mat weaving helped her family overcome hardship and raise her children, and like many villagers in Ca Hom, she hopes future generations will continue preserving the community’s centuries-old craft.

Creating a complete woven mat involves a meticulous multi-step process, from drying and dyeing the sedge grass to weaving and finishing, with every stage requiring patience, precision and skilled craftsmanship.

Each finished mat carries not only the artisan’s meticulous craftsmanship, but also the sweat, dedication and quiet pride woven into every thread.

According to artisan Lu Chuol, who has devoted more than 40 years to the craft, mat weaving demands extraordinary patience and precision, as even the smallest mistake can disrupt the balance of colours and patterns, affecting the quality of the final product.

Having weathered many market fluctuations, the Ca Hom mat weaving craft once faced the risk of extinction due to shortages of raw materials and craftsmen, alongside the competition from cheap industrial products. Locals struggle to preserve the traditional craft till now.

Recognised as a traditional craft village in late 2014, Ca Hom’s centuries-old mat weaving tradition is also inscribed on Vietnam’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage list, honouring a craft that has long embodied the cultural identity of the Mekong Delta.

Today, Ca Hom has become one of the most recognisable mat-weaving brands in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta - a vivid symbol of Khmer cultural identity, while also reflecting the resilience, craftsmanship and enduring work ethic of people in southern Vietnam.

Khmer artisans preserve centuries-old sedge mat weaving in Ca Hom village

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