Many women in Van Long Commune, Van Ninh District, Khanh Hoa Province, have embraced the side hustle of hand embroidery to turn their skills into extra money and improve their living standards. 

Ho Thi Hoi has been involved in hand embroidery for 14 years.

Ho Thi Hoi (born in 1995, residing in Hai Trieu Village, Van Long Commune) has been involved in hand embroidery for 14 years. Most of the products she has undertaken are traditional Norwegian items with their patterns, colors and embroidery thread available.

The hand-embroidered products cost from VND300,000 to 2.5 million/set depending on the model. It takes her from 2 days to 2 weeks to finish a product. She earns VND4 to 6 million per month. "This job requires meticulousness, carefulness and patience and the crafting passion, so it is suitable for women. It has become a side hustles for women that make real money

They only need to prepare embroidery hoops and stands. Other materials such as printed fabric, embroidery needles, embroidery thread, etc. are all provided by the suppliers. Although the designs are pre-drawn, to embroider beautifully is a meticulous process from threading the needle to stretching the thread. There are various  outlining stitches, including stem, split and chain.

Pham Thi Hong Chung introduces some common embroidered patterns.

Pham Thi Hong Chung (born in 1980, residing in Hai Trieu Village, Van Long Commune) has learned the embroidery for 2 months. Initially, she practiced embroidering on a piece of white cloth with basic patterns such as tree trunks, leaves, branches, flowers, birds, etc.

After the course, she started with the first products and gradually gained experience and improve her skills. Every month, she embroiders 3 to 4 sets of products, earning an income of VND5 to 7 million. Over the past 15 years, she has taken the job and also given free instructions to other local women.

Currently, the main suppliers of embroidery products are in the communes of Van Phuoc and Van Khanh (Van Ninh). With nearly 40 years of experience, Truong Thi Phung (born in 1957, residing in Van Phuoc commune) has hundreds of learners. Currently, her group has about 10 workers. After receiving purchase orders, she divides work and then sends the finished products to Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, after learning the trade, some of her learners started to work independently, create work and continue passing down the crafts to many others.

According to Thai Thi Hong Van, Chairperson of the Women's Union of Van Long Commune, hand embroidery has been practiced by local women for many years, not only taking advantage of free time and off-season farming, but also earning a stable income, VND4 to 6 million/month. In 2022, the association opened an embroidery class for 30 unemployed women. After the course, 18 people take the job. Currently, more than 70 women in the commune are taking the side hustle and the number keeps increasing, creating extra income for local women on their own schedule.

C.T

Translated by N.T