Handmade crafts from Thailand and Vietnam

Thailand's many handicrafts are highly prized by international importers for their decorative qualities, fine workmanship and cultural significance. Unique to Thailand is the craft of umbrella making, in the village of Bor Sang just outside the northern city of Chiang Mai. The parasol has become one of the symbols of the Thai handicraft tradition, and is made from local bamboo and natural paper made from the bark of the Sa tree. The entire umbrella is then hand painted in bright colours. The abundance of the Sa tree in this area has enabled craftsmen to make the umbrellas and other Sa products for centuries.

Sa paper is made by boiling the bark of the Sa tree for a few hours, then pounding it against tree stumps until it is a smooth mush. It is then thrown into containers and stirred until flakes rise to surface. These flakes are placed on screens, which allow the water to drain out, leaving the flakes on the screen. Once dried, the flakes harden into sheets of Sa paper.

Exquisite silver work and teak wood carvings can also be found in Thailand, as well as textiles and curios crafted by the various hill tribes, including the Hmong, the Akha, the Lisu and the Lahu.

Art and handicraft creation has been an integral part of Vietnamese life for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence suggesting that pottery was produced as early as the Neolithic age, metal work began roughly four thousand years ago, and sophisticated ceramics were being produced by 500 BC. Today, the country is still known for its gorgeous lacquer work, ceramics, paper art, wooden puppets and hand printed paintings.

The village of Bat Trang, just outside Hanoi, is particularly well known for its beautifully crafted ceramics.