Basketry, or basket weaving, is often considered to be one of Vietnam’s oldest art forms. Handcrafted in Vietnam baskets possess an age-old charm with unique patterns from the exquisite weave. Notably, they are mainly produced from indigenous materials, among which Water hyacinth, Seagrass, Rattan, Bamboo, and Plastic Rattan are the most popular (according to Vietnam Customs Data from 2018 to 2022).
Water Hyacinth Handcrafted In Vietnam Baskets
Water hyacinth baskets registered the highest figures in export value compared to other materials, reaching more than 330 million USD in the last 4 years.
What Is Water Hyacinth?
Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant that grows in abundance in the waterways of Vietnam. This material has a distinct color tone that varies according to region.
As one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth, water hyacinth populations can double within five to fifteen days. It has been documented that each plant can produce thousands of seeds every year, which can sink into the soil and remain viable for up to 30 years.
The stem of a mature water hyacinth commonly reaches the length of 50-70cm. After sufficient sun exposure, dried stems will be spongy, bulbous, light, and possess a warm tone of golden brown. These properties make water hyacinth an ideal material for handcrafted in Vietnam baskets. What’s more, water hyacinth is eco-friendly, naturally produced, and definitely contains no chemicals.
Production Technique
When water hyacinth is mature enough (3 months old), local people will harvest stems for production. After harvest, water hyacinth stems are dried under the sun for about 2-3 days before being woven into wicker baskets bulk.
As water hyacinth is soft, skilled artisans in craft villages often twin the stems around iron frames to create numerous weaves. The physical properties, cost of production, and lead time may vary according to each weaving style. Only afterward will the final products be cleaned and also coated with transparent PVA glue to make them studier, more anti-fungal, anti-mold and extend their lifespan.
>> Explore more: 9 Popular Weaving Styles of Water Hyacinth Baskets
Water Hyacinth Baskets Bulk
– What Are Water Hyacinth Baskets Used For?
Water hyacinth baskets are designed to be a versatile storage option, perfect for keeping all manner of household items, such as fruit, food, bread, accessories, and laundry. Their aesthetic appeal and pretty natural tones can fit into every corner in the home, from kitchen pantries, bedrooms to living rooms and bathrooms.
– Are Water Hyacinth Baskets Safe?
Water hyacinth stems are natural, non-toxic fibers that require no harmful treatments. Thus, the handcrafted in Vietnam baskets with water hyacinth are completely safe for users.
– Are Water Hyacinth Baskets Durable?
As long as the product is cared for properly and stored indoors during inclement weather, water hyacinth baskets can last up to 3 years of use. If they get wet, water hyacinth can absorb moisture; consequently, mold will develop and inflict structural, aesthetic damages to water hyacinth baskets.
Seagrass Handcrafted In Vietnam Baskets
Seagrass handcrafted baskets ranked second in export value from Vietnam, which amounted to more than 270 million USD in the last 4 years.
What Is Seagrass?
Thanks to the favorable climate conditions, natural seagrass species have thrived along the coast of Vietnam. Several provinces famous for high-quality seagrass are Thanh Hoa, Thai Binh, and Nam Dinh.
The material is incredibly durable, light, and relatively shiny once split and thoroughly sun-dried. Like water hyacinth, seagrass is sustainably sourced, non-toxic, and acquires no harmful chemicals during production. But in terms of physical characteristics, it has a smaller diameter and a greenish undertone that brings a more rustic vibe. Handcrafted in Vietnam baskets with seagrass also attain a sturdier texture as compared to water hyacinth.
Production Technique
In Vietnam, seagrass is cultivated from field areas which are previously flooded by the sea. During harvesting, seagrass stems are mainly split into smaller-size strands, then sun-dried for 2-3 days until their moisture content is <30%. Afterward, multiple strands might need to be processed into a seagrass rope for weaving into baskets before undergoing the finishing stage.
Interestingly, seagrass weaving styles are named after the way we process seagrass, rather than the weaving patterns. Each weaving technique has a distinct cost and production time and is ideally suited for specific product categories.
Wholesale Seagrass Baskets
– What Are Seagrass Baskets Used For?
Created from seagrass, handcrafted in Vietnam baskets provide practical storage or display solution, whilst bringing an inviting ambiance to any space around the home. They may come in various shapes and sizes, depending on whether they are used for storing laundry, clothing, toys, or small items.
Rechecking the prices of seagrass baskets is necessary because they vary according to a variety of factors, including weaving techniques, sizes, shapes, patterns, frames, and accessories.
– Are Seagrass Baskets Safe?
Seagrass baskets are surely safe for both consumers & the environment. The material is fast-growing, non-toxic, and biodegradable in nature. Besides, there are almost no chemical treatments in the production process.
– Are Seagrass Baskets Durable?
Thanks to the supple characteristic of seagrass, wholesale seagrass baskets have a long lifespan (5+ years of use with proper care). They are also suitable for outdoor decoration in front porches, patios, and sheltered gardens. However, we recommend that the products should be used indoors only due to the hygroscopicity of seagrass.
Bamboo Handcrafted In Vietnam Baskets
Standing in third place are bamboo handcrafted in Vietnam baskets, whose export value reached more than 220 million USD in the last 4 years.
What Is Bamboo?
Among the fastest-growing plants ever known (fully mature in just 3-5 years), bamboo is extolled as green steel for its durability. This plant does not require any fertilizers or pesticides thanks to its mold-resistant nature. It is frequently found in watershed forests in the North of Central Vietnam and East of Southern Vietnam.
Weaving is the simplest method for creating household items out of natural bamboo. Thin bamboo slivers are incredibly flexible yet sturdy enough, making them easy to bend and weave by hand. These slivers are mainly extracted from the core of bamboo, which features a natural light beige.
Production Technique
After being harvested, the raw bamboo is exposed to the sun to fully dry and split into thin trips (slivers) with widths ranging from 1-2 cm depending on the dimension of the desired product. Those pieces are seamlessly woven by skillful artisans into handcrafted in Vietnam baskets, which will subsequently pass through the finishing stage.
Generally, craftsmen could utilize different plaiting techniques to create baskets with various weaving patterns due to bamboo’s flexible property. Square Plaiting, Clematis Plaiting, and Twill Plaiting are among the most favored ones.
Bamboo Baskets Wholesale
– What Are Bamboo Baskets Wholesale Used For?
Not confined to the kitchen, bamboo wicker baskets bulk can cover all household needs, from pantry storage and flower arrangements to decoration and gift storage. When it comes to storage, owning a rigid feature, large woven baskets of bamboo are perfect for making the home organized. These handcrafted in Vietnam baskets bring a warm aesthetic feel wherever storage is desired.
– Are Bamboo Baskets Wholesale Safe?
Bamboo is antimicrobial in nature and requires no harmful treatments. Which ensures that Vietnamese bamboo basket will be totally safe, non-toxic, and do not cause itching for users.
– Are Bamboo Baskets Wholesale Durable?
As bamboo possesses outstanding strength and lifespan, consumers can rest assured that, with proper care, bamboo baskets wholesale will certainly stand the test of time (up to 3–5 years of use). Bamboo is much sturdier than seagrass and water hyacinth, thus making it better at mold resistance.
Rattan Handcrafted In Vietnam Baskets
Rattan baskets were ranked in the top 4, with export value reaching more than 160 million USD in the last 4 years.
What Is Rattan?
More than 30 species of rattan are widely distributed in the natural forests of Vietnam, mainly in the Northern, Central, Central Highlands, and Southern provinces.
Rattan has widely been chosen as a substitute for wood due to its ecological benefits and flexibility. In particular, rattan core and skin have been used to make a stunning line of baskets due to their strong property. Most notably, rattan can withstand humidity and temperatures better than a variety of pliable fibers (namely water hyacinth and seagrass).
Production Technique
The first step is harvesting – often manually done by local people in the specialization region. In most cases, rattan then undergoes the processing stage to become multiple small strands for weaving. They can be bleached or dyed upon customers’ request. Afterwards, they are adeptly woven into wicker baskets, painted if necessary, and finally move through the finishing stage.
Generally, rattan weaving styles may vary according to which part has been used to make baskets. The two techniques available for rattan core are Plain weaving and Coiling, and for rattan skin is Mat plaiting with various pattern options.
Rattan Cane Baskets Bulk
– What Are Rattan Cane Baskets Used For?
Rattan baskets wholesale are hand-woven with multiple purposes in mind such as carrying and storing food, laundry, clothes, toys, magazines as a solution for tidying clutter away. The handcrafted in Vietnam baskets also can come in many sizes, and their natural features make them an attractive yet practical addition that can fit in a variety of settings.
– Are Rattan Cane Baskets Safe?
Handcrafted in Vietnam baskets with rattan do not have a negative impact on users as this material is 100% natural, non-toxic and go through no processing with detrimental chemicals.
– Are Rattan Cane Baskets Durable?
Although natural rattan has a shorter lifespan than synthetic rattan – a type that is able to withstand all types of weather, handcrafted in Vietnam baskets can still last up to over 5 years with proper care. In general, rigid rattan features a great bearing capacity and is also excellent at not getting molds.
Plastic Handcrafted In Vietnam Baskets
Among the most popular materials for basket weaving, plastic (commonly called ‘plastic/synthetic rattan’) came in fifth place. Its figures in export value added up to more than 140 million USD in the last 4 years.
What Is Plastic Rattan?
Synthetic rattan (or polyethylene plastic, poly rattan, plastic wicker) is a non-natural material used for producing furniture and homewares, particularly handcrafted in Vietnam baskets.
It is an ideal fit for both interior and exterior design. Known as all-weather wicker— synthetic rattan is super durable and impervious to moisture. In addition, plastic rattan is UV-stabilized and fade-resistant, making it easy to care for. The fibers are also available in a range of shapes, colors, and sizes.
Learn more details about differences between Natural vs Synthetic Wicker
Production Technique
Synthetic rattan fibers are firstly synthesized from PE (polyethylene), pigments, and additives, then processed into thin strands for weaving. To create baskets, these strands are then hand-woven and often twinned around iron frames in factories. By the end of the manufacturing process, these handcrafted in Vietnam baskets will undergo the finishing stage (trimming, cleaning) and will be thoroughly inspected before delivery.
Depending on the desired product, different techniques have been utilized to create synthetic rattan baskets, among which Coiling, Wicker, and Plaiting are the most popular styles.
Plastic Wicker Baskets Bulk
– What Are Plastic Wicker Baskets Bulk Used For?
Synthetic rattan baskets make a stylish outer holder for plants, laundry hampers, or a perfect solution to store household items. Thanks to their highly durable property, they can work well in diverse settings and environments, both indoors and outdoors. The expertly crafted weave makes baskets functional and eye-catching at the same time.
– Are Plastic Wicker Baskets Bulk Safe?
High-quality plastic is free of carcinogen Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and undergoes no toxic treatments, so handcrafted in Vietnam baskets with plastic rattan could hardly cause health issues for long-term use.
– Are Plastic Wicker Baskets Bulk Durable?
Synthetic rattan is naturally less susceptible to water damage than other natural fibers, so it is able to withstand all types of weather and requires little effort in care and maintenance. The handcrafted in Vietnam baskets are 100% waterproof, so it retains pretty great performance even exposed to humidity for extended periods.
Key Takeaways
Honing age-old techniques in novel ways, artisans can create a stunning collection of handcrafted in Vietnam baskets from indigenous materials. With distinctive features, each one is highly suitable for several purposes. While natural woven baskets mostly function well indoor, plastic rattan is great for making outdoor baskets, planters. These materials also require different ways of maintenance.
