Penny
My welcome also to the forum.
I am afraid that I am not aware of any textiles which you might find in S Vietnam other than some contemporary 'story' embroidery which you might come across. I haven't been in S Vietnam since 1995 so am very out of touch. I visited in 1994 and 1995 and it was only in the north that I was fortunate enough to find textiles. I would endorse Susan's comments about the Central Highlands. Even here traditional textiles are fast disappearing and I believe that there is very little weaving remaining - there is a tradition of beading.
Forum member Olivier Tallec posted an example of a Cotu loin cloth as a 'mystery' textile in July 2002 which Susan immediately identified. The second photo
http://www.tribaltextiles.info/forum/mystery_030703.htm shows the small tin beads. This photo does not do justice to this magnificent loin cloth which is now in my collection (after some mutual re-focusing of collections between Olivier and myself).
I would think that there may well have been a tradition of loincloths in S Vietnam but I think that the tradition of making them is long gone as, I think, is the traditon of wearing them. Men's traditional costume is usually the first to disappear as communities are opened up to outside influences.
I have had a look in my copy of 'The Guide to Asian Textile Collections' published by the Textile Society of Hong Kong. Although they have some entries for Vietnam there is nothing listed in the south of the country for museums. There is one shop mentioned in Ho Chi Minh City: "East Meets West", 24, Le Loi St., Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City, tel: 823 1553, Fax 848-872 8198. The description is:
Quote:
"Offering a select range of high quality Vietnamese handicrafts and hand woven hill tribe fabrics."
The TSHK book is the 2nd edition published in 2000. I strongly advise telephoning before trying to find it. My guess is that any textiles they have will be from the north. I would think that there is factory silk weaving in the south as Vietnam exports silk cloth and clothing.
Could I ask that you give us feedback on any textile shops/museums or textile related experiences that you have on your trip? That would then be available for others similarly seeking assistance.
Oh, just a word of warning. I started as a 'casual' collector of textiles; always attracted, keeping my eyes open but not a serious or even knowledgeable collector. It can, however, become an obsession or, as forum member Monique from the Netherlands describes it, her 'textile virus'.
Very best wishes,
_________________
Pamela
http://www.tribaltextiles.infoon-line tribal textiles resource