When people think of a garment factory, they immediately picture the incessant sound of sewing machines and the lively chatter of the workers... But upon entering the Kymviet factory, what seems even more special is the complete absence of human voices, only the sounds of fabric cutting, sewing machines, and the nimble hands of diligent workers tirelessly producing goods.

Nestled in the small streets of Trung Van, Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi, the Kymviet garment factory is a workplace for a community of people with disabilities, the majority of whom are congenitally deaf. As the Lunar New Year (Year of the Dragon) approached, this deaf-only factory launched its collection of brocade dragon mascots in various sizes to cater to customers.

From the moment you enter the workshop, a vibrant space unfolds, showcasing Kymviet's diverse range of stuffed animals in various materials and colors, all meticulously sewn. Further inside, 30 people are diligently working, in complete silence, only the creaking of sewing machines audible. Watching them work, one wouldn't guess they are disabled or have health issues.

Their hands move swiftly over each detail to assemble perfect and unique products. It seems that eye contact and hand gestures are enough for them to communicate and understand each other better in their work and daily lives.

Mr. Pham Viet Hoai, the founder of Kymviet, always radiates positive energy. Having been disabled himself for 43 years, Mr. Hoai understands and empathizes with the difficulties and limitations faced by the disabled community in finding employment. This is also the reason he established the Kymviet garment factory in 2013. Kymviet was created to provide disabled people with a good working environment and jobs suitable to their abilities. According to Mr. Hoai, it is a waste of resources if disabled people, who are still capable of working, are not given opportunities for employment.

In a conversation with Travellive, Hoai shared: “In life, people often think of stuffed animals as just toys for children. But with the 12 zodiac animals, each year has its own unique color. In addition, there are also stuffed animals for the SEA Games, Olympia, and mascots representing businesses. Therefore, this market is very large. The important thing is how we create the mascots.”

Each mascot has a story or symbolism behind it. For example, the buffalo mascot symbolizes the rice-farming civilization and the Vietnamese countryside. The rooster is often associated with Dong Ho folk paintings. All products are crafted based on Vietnamese culture.

This year, Kymviet's dragon mascot is crafted from elements of various Vietnamese dynasties, including the Ly, Tran, and Nguyen dynasties, showcasing diverse designs and requiring considerable time to complete. The dragon features an outer layer of silk and brocade, combined with other traditional materials. To create the design, the design team meticulously researched and refined traditional dragon motifs and patterns, combining them with exquisite detail. Besides the plush toys, this year's watch dragon motifs are also quite unique, featuring multiple layers of relief sculptures and the dragon robe motifs of the Nguyen lords.

One unique aspect of most of Kymviet's plush toys is the distinctive blend of ingredients, reminiscent of Tra My cinnamon, Lang Son star anise, and other characteristic ingredients from various regions.

According to Mr. Hoai, Kymviet refers to needlework, combining both machine and hand sewing, and Viet stands for Vietnam. The word Kym evokes curiosity about its form. Kymviet tells its story through the skillful hands in the tranquil space of people with disabilities who want to create meaning in life. Each product, meticulously crafted with every stitch, embodies the rich cultural colors of Vietnam and is a testament to the artistry of traditional craftsmanship.

While the current market for stuffed toys is largely focused on commercial purposes, Kymviet's handcrafted products hold a story behind them. Because the workshop is for people with disabilities, Mr. Hoai himself learned sign language to easily communicate and interact with everyone in the workshop. Besides the sewing workshop, Kymviet also organizes workshops for students, and experiential sessions for tourists… to explore these creative handcrafted items.

Video of a day in the work at the Kymviet mascot sewing workshop: