Vietnamese basket weavers gave a fascinating insight into their traditional craft.

Footage shows the mothers and grandmothers turning dried strips of bamboo, which were locally harvested, into multi-purpose containers and pot holders in Hoa Tinh, Vinh Long province, Vietnam, on June 6.

The techniques have been passed down for three generations and the craft has provided the village with a livelihood for more than half a century.

Truong Thi Diep, one of the residents who has been doing the craft for more than 50 years, said: ‘My parents taught me when I was only 20 years old. I had to cut down bamboo when I was younger. I shaved the stalks myself.

‘I cut them when I was stronger, sharpened, curled, and cracked them. There are many stages and each step is extremely difficult but I am very happy with the finished product.'

While the middle-aged women took pride in each basket they made, Truong said they noticed the younger generation preferred to work in urban areas than learn the craft.

She said: ‘Today, young people would rather go to big cities to work than weave baskets. But we stayed here, the older women, to continue with it.'

Truong saod she was passionate about the baskets and was happy that her son was interested in their small business.

She added: ‘My future daughter-in-law is also fascinated with the craft and it gives me hope.'

Meanwhile, another basket weaver Tran Mong Kieu Thu said each basket was special for her.

She said: ‘Our neighbourhood is peaceful, it was very easy to learn for me. I can do it all day. Sometimes people come here and buy a basket for 10,000 VND, then they sell it for 15,000 VND. Sometimes they order in bulk for 500,000 VND. We spend three days to make the bulk orders. Our life is simple.'

The mother said the most difficult part of it was to cut the stalks and bend them into rings.

She added: ‘I make 25 pieces a day. I use the money I earn for fish and rice. Since I knew how to do the difficult process, I volunteered to do it, or nobody would do it.'

Another weaver, Pham Thi Hosaid, shared her thoughts on the craft.

She said: ‘More than 150 households are still making baskets here. The families enjoyed making them, aside from earning a living. Once you learn it, you never stop. It's like an addiction. Wherever you are, you bring with you weaving.'

Basket weaving is widely practised across different regions of Vietnam, with certain areas being particularly renowned for their basket-making skills and styles. Different natural materials are used, including bamboo, rattan, sedge, seagrass, water hyacinth, and coconut leaves.