Seven kilometers north of Vientiane’s bustling center lies Houey Hong Vocational Training Center for Women. A haven of vibrant colors and ancient skills. Houey Hong isn’t just a building it’s a legacy.
Founded in 1998 by Chanthasone Inthavong a Vientiane native now based in Tokyo. Houey Hong began with support from two Japanese organizations. The Association for Supporting Women and Lao Children and the Association for Providing Jobs for Lao Women. These groups helped build the first three structures. Later the Japan International Cooperation Agency contributed to further expansion and training programs.
This center is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a testament to women’s empowerment. It’s eight compounds house a vibrant community. An office and shop showcase the beautiful creations. There are spacious tailoring and weaving rooms. A dyeing area bursts with natural pigments. Even a dormitory ensures women from rural areas can easily participate in training.
Houey Hong’s artisans are masters of their craft. They’re experts in natural dyeing weaving and tailoring. Sengmany Vongsipasom Chanthasone’s sister manages the center’s daily operations. She returned to Vientiane after 20 years in the USA. Her passion for preserving Laotian traditions is evident in every detail.
The center aims to keep traditional weaving alive. Sengmany explains that weaving skills were once passed down through generations. However now fewer young women have the patience to learn the intricate techniques. The center teaches not only the craft but the cultural significance behind it. Laotian motifs and colors tell stories of ethnicity social status and regional origins. They are embedded with deep meaning.
Houey Hong doesn’t just preserve traditions it also empowers women. It provides them with valuable skills and opportunities. It supports itself through craft sales and tailoring services. Visitors can even participate in workshops. They learn dyeing and weaving techniques. They create their own beautiful textiles. The center is open Monday to Saturday.
Houey Hong is more than a vocational training center. It’s a living museum a vibrant workshop and a symbol of Laotian heritage. It’s a place where tradition meets empowerment. It’s a place you should visit. It’s a place you won’t forget.