Hemp Oi: Weaving dreams from the colors of the highlands

Continuing the video series “7A.M Start” - “Why do we start?” produced by Travellive Media Group and partner Ford Territory, episode 4 will lead readers into the story of founder Tran Phuong Thao and Hemp Oi - a sustainable fashion brand with unique products from hemp.

Hemp and flax are plants used to weave traditional fabrics of ethnic minorities in the highlands. Not only are they famous for their durability, but they also have the ability to regulate temperature, especially suitable for hot and humid climates. Today, hemp fabric is being revived and developed, becoming a sustainable fashion choice loved by many people.

Once an MC and editor, by chance, Tran Phuong Thao - founder of Hemp Oi, entered the fashion industry and developed a passion for green living. She shared: "I myself do not have any standards for green living, but I live green based on nature. It all comes from the awareness of love for the environment inside. The reason I turned to the fashion industry is also because I want to seek new experiences."

During a chance visit to Ha Giang, Phuong Thao was captivated by the wild beauty of the hemp fields and the innocence of a 14-year-old H'Mong girl named May. Talking to May, Phuong Thao learned that, like many other H'Mong families, her family has been weaving hemp for generations. When learning more about the benefits of hemp for the environment and the community, Phuong Thao was inspired to create positive changes. It was this passion that prompted her to establish Hemp Oi in 2021, a brand that not only preserves the traditional weaving craft but also brings good values to the community.

Based on three important connections: connection with nature, connection with people, connection with oneself, Hemp Oi was born with the desire to bring customers a complete life experience. Local brand connects customers with nature through sustainable, friendly products, minimizing negative impacts on the environment. At the same time, Hemp Oi is also a bridge for customers to preserve the traditional cultural values of the H'Mong people. On the other hand, the brand wants to build a community of responsible consumers, living more meaningfully every day.

Hemp fabric is not only a handicraft product but also a symbol of the unique culture of the Hmong people. Modernizing this weaving craft requires careful consideration so as not to lose traditional values.

When sharing the idea of Hemp Oi with the villagers, Phuong Thao encountered a big barrier: the difference in culture and beliefs. The fact that a young person wanted to cooperate to develop the traditional weaving craft made them skeptical and not really believe. They were used to weaving fabric only to serve their family needs, and mass production for sale to the market was a completely new concept.

With all her sincerity and perseverance, Phuong Thao has created trust with the people here. Her genuine feelings help her build a bridge between the traditional and modern generations. Initially, collecting fabric was very difficult. She had to go from house to house, meticulously selecting each piece of fabric. But fortunately, she met a sister who shared her passion for preserving the traditional weaving craft. Thanks to the support of the cooperative founded by her sister, collecting raw materials became easier than ever.

Hemp Oi retains 100% of the hand-woven fabric of the H'Mong people. The process begins with planting the trees, waiting for them to mature, harvesting the bark, spinning the fibers, and then weaving. The result of all these manual steps is a fabric that is only about 30-35 cm wide. Finally, Phuong Thao will come up with ideas and directly design more advanced products such as handbags, masks, clothes, as well as household products such as blankets, sheets, pillows, mattresses, etc. to meet the diverse needs and preferences of customers. Hemp Oi products are sold online and range in price from 200,000 to 3,000,000 VND.

Above all, with the desire to create products imbued with Vietnamese culture, Phuong Thao named each product after ethnic minorities such as Ede, Ba Na, Lo Lo, Si La... Each name contains a story, a special inspiration, which she cherishes and puts into each product.

At Hemp Oi, every handmade hemp product has its own unique beauty. Unlike a series of industrial products, each item is a unique work of art that makes users feel appreciated in each product. From the natural colors of hemp fabric to traditional brocade patterns, all create a colorful picture of Vietnamese culture. It can be a story about ethnic minorities, about traditional craft villages or simply the founder's feelings when creating that product. "The main idea is to collect everyday images and my own experiences. From there, I found this idea interesting to apply to Hemp Oi products," said Phuong Thao.

The story of sustainable development has always been attractive to many people. Hemp Oi's customers are mostly those who appreciate the sustainable value and deep meaning in each product. They are not only interested in quality but also learn about the story behind the brand, about the values that local brands aim for.

Hemp Oi products have crossed the border of Vietnam, reaching customers who love sustainable fashion in countries such as Germany, France, the Czech Republic and Spain... Founder Phuong Thao believes that in the near future, Hemp Oi products will continue to conquer more international markets, bringing hemp fabric and the weaving craft of the H'Mong people to international friends.

“In the future, I hope to bring Vietnamese hemp further abroad, especially in large countries in Europe, America… and possibly cooperate with major sustainable fashion brands in the world,” Phuong Thao shared.

TRAVELLIVE readers are invited to watch episode 4 of the “7A.M Start” video series to discover the story of Hemp Oi - a sustainable fashion brand with unique products from hemp. This represents a small piece in the colorful picture of Vietnamese brand portraits that are increasingly asserting their position.