Hmong Hemp & Emboidery Workshop 

(A full day)

Hmong Hemp Embroidery Workshop in Sapa – A One-Day Hands-On Experience

“Beautiful things come together one stitch at a time.”
— Donna Goddard

Duration: One day (Half day also available here)
Departure time: 8.30am - 9.30am
Return Time: Before Dusk
Difficulty: Easy
Route: Sapa – Xa Xeng

Maximum: 4 people

Local Hmong woman teaching traditional embroidery techniques in Sapa, Vietnam

Discover the Stories and Symbols Woven into Hmong Textiles

Hands-On Cultural Experience in Xa Xeng Village, Surrounded by Rice Terraces and Forests

Black Hmong textiles are treasured and celebrated for their focus on handmade items and natural dyes. A skill once passed on from mothers to daughters, embroidery was used mainly to decorate clothes hand-sewn for the Hmong New Year and other occasions. Called paj ntaub (pronounced "pan dow"), it means "flower cloth" in Hmong.

In ancient times, the embroidered patterns served double duty to decorate and to communicate. According to oral history, long ago when the Hmong were still concentrated in China, they were forbidden to use their original, written language, which was made up of picture symbols. So the women started sewing the symbols into their skirts to create messages, disguising them as patterns, rich in meaning and symbolism.  Treasure chests full of dragon tails, elephant feet and mountains. The swirls and geometric designs in vivid pinks, reds, greens and blues are commonly used in Hmong embroidery, a centuries-old art form that is fading fast.
 
Most of the motifs that appear in traditional Hmong embroidery are inspired by nature and are associated with animals. A series of swirls facing each other, for example, is called "elephant foot" and generally is associated with "family." There is also the "ram horn" pattern and tiny slits that symbolize "seeds." Traditional motifs appear on everything from belts to baby carriers to aprons.

This full day embroidery workshop: takes place in Xa Xeng, a picturesque Hmong village nestled in a steep-sided valley north of Sapa, surrounded by rice terraces and woodlands. The village is home to many Black Hmong families, where traditional textile work remains an important part of daily life.

Your day begins with an early start from Ethos community centre, travelling by private transport through the valley. Upon arrival in the village, you will be warmly welcomed by your hosts. Spend some time exploring the family farm before settling in to begin your lesson.

Classes usually begin between 9 am and 10 am. Tuition is always one on one or in very small groups to ensure an intimate and personalised experience. Your teacher will be a skilled Black Hmong woman with many years of experience. For the Hmong, embroidery is second nature a practice woven into everyday life. Their designs are complex and detailed, layered with meaning and tradition.

​Throughout the workshop, you will work with traditional hemp fabric and learn about the process of turning raw hemp into cloth, from seed to fibre. Using traditional fabrics, patterns and techniques, you’ll begin creating your own small embroidered piece. Many of the motifs you’ll see reflect the natural world rice, pumpkin seeds, trees, birds as well as deeper spiritual and cultural themes such as shamanism and family ties.

A fresh and flavourful village lunch is included, along with refreshments throughout the day. The pace of the workshop is gentle and unhurried, allowing you to connect deeply with the craft, your host, and the surrounding landscape.

Prices - Hmong Hemp & Emboidery 1 Day experience

1 person - $88 per person

Community based tourism (CBT) is a form of tourism where local communities are directly involved in developing, managing, and benefiting from tourism activities within their area. It emphasises community ownership, cultural preservation, and sustainable practices, offering visitors authentic experiences and fostering economic opportunities for residents.

“To emboider is to speak in silence, with colour and thread instead of words.”
— Unknown
Icons and text highlighting values: investing locally, saving energy and water, protecting wildlife, respecting culture, and ethics representing spirit of the community.
Lush green terraced fields on rolling hills with mountain peaks in the background, under a partly cloudy sky, with the text 'Terms and Conditions' overlaid.

Please travel with respect. Dress modestly, support local crafts, protect nature, be patient, and stay safe. Connect, learn, and contribute positively during your ETHOS journey. Please refer to our terms for booking conditions for all ETHOS experiences.

We also offer a one day textile experience with different ethnic groups. For more information about our “ Red Dao sawing “ experience, please click here.

This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc
This slideshow highlights the art of traditional handcraft and cultural exchange. The images capture local artisans skilfully creating intricate embroidery, alongside visitors learning and sharing in the experience. Colourful patterns, detailed stitc