Muang Hongsa Local Customs

Sarongs made in Hongsa (Ving Keo village) are trully piece of art. You'd hardly see more complex hand woven patterns on the black cotton background and it takes 5 days on average for skilled girl to finish her work per cloth. Traditionally they are made by Lue minority and there are many women who keep it doing nowsadays. You'll see them weaving by nearly every house in Ban Ving Keo and even very young girls are encouraged by their mums to do some. These sarongs are then sold mostly over the border to Thailand where they get quite good paid (on the other hand they would never know for real price since they're mostly collected by traders who come to the village). With that income women can support their families but also pay for education of their children. If you visit Ving Keo you'll see local women firsthand when weaving and if you want you can start negotiating for best price when work is done (and don't expect to pay less than 1000 THB for more simplier ones).