Silk • A journey from the misty highlands to international luxury standards

From the tranquil tea hills and mulberry plantations of the Bao Loc plateau to the secluded Wellness Luxury spaces in the Cayman Islands: Bao Loc Silk and Hity are together weaving a new definition for Vietnamese silk. It's a journey to bring a heritage material beyond geographical borders to become a benchmark for international lifestyle.

The Bao Loc plateau operates at its own rhythm: a cool climate, a slow and unchanging pace of life, is where silk is formed over a tranquil period. There, the silk threads grow in the stability of the weather, in the skilled hands of artisans, and in production cycles that do not allow for haste. Under these conditions, the silk threads are formed slowly and evenly, with a smooth surface and just the right amount of sheen—not ostentatious, but easily clinging to the body for a long time. Bao Loc silk has grown alongside the Vietnamese silk industry for decades, enduring in production, but rarely moving beyond its role as a raw material.

The sun-drenched coastal city of Nha Trang, welcoming over 10 million tourists from all over the world each year, is gradually establishing itself as a leading resort destination. In this context, Hity, a local brand, deeply understands the needs, habits, and lifestyles of tourists. From materials to design and production, Hity has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience, enabling it to supply apparel to high-end resorts.

Tens of thousands of kilometers away from that plateau, the global luxury market operates by rigorous standards: precision, repeatability, and absolute consistency in user experience, with no tolerance for any deviation in quality.

The journey of bringing Bao Loc silk garments from the highlands to holistic wellness resorts is underway. Therefore, international wellness luxury is not just about export, but a comprehensive test for a heritage material and the traditional Vietnamese craft of sewing and embroidery.

"Lifewear," where silk is for living.

In the map of Vietnamese materials, Bao Loc silk is not a new discovery; it has always been present for centuries as a quiet yet enduring region. Without fanfare or ostentation, the silk from this highland region flows slowly and steadily, carrying with it the memories of the cool climate and the silk-making craft that has been intertwined with the people for decades. Bao Loc has long been known as the "capital" of Vietnam's mulberry and silk industry, possessing ideal climatic and soil conditions for mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing.

Hity approaches silk from a different perspective. The brand chooses its own path: bringing silk back to its fundamental purpose of serving humanity. As a fashion brand with a tropical and sustainable spirit, Hity doesn't view silk as a luxury symbol for display, but as an integral part of contemporary life. In collaboration with Bao Loc Silk, Hity leverages premium satin silk not only for its visual beauty, but also for the material's "intelligence": its ability to regulate body temperature, its softness that embraces the skin, and its absolute breathability that lingers gently on the body – core elements in wellness retreats and health care. Hity's designs follow minimalism, minimizing seams and eliminating rigid structures, allowing the silk to "breathe" and move freely with the wearer's body. This is the key to unlocking the world of Wellness Luxury.

2025. Conquering the demanding standards in the Cayman Islands.

2025 marks a historic milestone for this partnership: Hity officially exports its Bao Loc satin silk pajamas to Meraki Wellness – a luxury wellness complex in the Cayman Islands, one of the most luxurious resort destinations in the Caribbean.

In an environment where every surface in contact with the body must meet high standards of safety, tactile feel, and durability, there is no room for compromise. Hity's selection as the design and manufacturing partner for the loungewear and bags used within the complex is the result of a comprehensive evaluation process that goes beyond aesthetics.

Behind the serene beauty of Meraki's silk pajamas lies a complex technical challenge. With silk, large-scale dyeing always carries the risk of color inconsistencies between different rolls of fabric. For this project, Bao Loc Silk Joint Stock Company had to dye over 50 rolls of fabric with a color difference requirement of no more than 2%—a control threshold demanding high precision in every parameter: from temperature and time to dye penetration. The highland climate, a natural factor, became a technical advantage: it helped create uniform silk threads with minimal variations and stability during processing. Simultaneously, sustainability criteria were met according to the standards of high-end wellness luxury clients. The dyes were chosen to suit the recovery environment, and the fabric processing was optimized to minimize residue and waste.

The design is considered at the level of serving the needs of residents: from rest and movement to moments of deep rejuvenation. In an ecosystem where every material in contact with the body must meet stringent requirements for safety, usability, and sustainability, there is no room for emotional choices or compromises.

In the garment manufacturing process, Hity works closely with the production workshop, controlling the fabric cutting rate to the minimum permissible level. Excess fabric is not discarded but repurposed into decorative details and accessories. With silk, every centimeter holds material and labor value – and this restraint becomes part of Hity's design philosophy for its customers.

Hity's selection as the design and manufacturing partner for Meraki's clothing and handbags is therefore not just a contract, but a confirmation of the capabilities of Bao Loc silk when developed according to proper standards. In this context, Bao Loc silk is no longer just "Vietnamese silk," but an internationally recognized material, placed in an environment where purity, safety, and tactile feel are paramount.

The collaboration between Bao Loc Silk and Hity opens a new direction for Vietnamese materials: entering living spaces with depth – wellness, slow travel, high-end resorts – to become part of a luxurious lifestyle – from relaxation and wellness to slow travel. One side maintains the quality of materials and traditional craftsmanship, while the other expands the design language, applying silk to new contexts: resorts, wellness, slow travel, and high-end vacation spaces. The commitment of both brands goes beyond simply "introducing silk," but is to build the image of Bao Loc silk as a material capable of international integration without losing its identity.

The presence of Bao Loc silk pajamas in a luxury wellness center is not only a commercial success but also a testament to the capabilities of Vietnamese materials when placed in the right context: where people seek rejuvenation, purity, and a sense of security when touching any surface around them. Bao Loc satin silk, with its softness and natural temperature regulation, perfectly embodies this spirit, not needing to tell its origin story in words, but allowing the wearer's body to feel it for itself.

In the context of a global luxury market shifting from ostentation to depth, from logos to materials, the collaboration between Bao Loc Silk and Hity demonstrates a different direction for Vietnamese brands: taking Vietnamese material heritage further by placing it within the right context of contemporary life. Not chasing speed, not sacrificing origin for scale. Instead, patiently building trust, one product at a time, one partner at a time.

2026

This year, after many rounds of discussions and trials, Bao Loc Silk and Hity have decided to enter into a long-term strategic partnership. From 2026, Hity will become the distributor of Bao Loc silk garments to tourists in Nha Trang and Saigon, while also expanding into the international wellness and resort market. Nha Trang, as a destination where resort tourism intersects with a tropical lifestyle, will become a natural space for silk to enter the lives of tourists – not through display, but through the experience of wearing, touching, and using it.

Shedding the stereotype that silk garments are difficult to care for, the new collections emphasize practicality: easily foldable to fit in a suitcase, wrinkle-resistant, and versatile in all climates. Silk becomes a companion, a "physical memory" that travelers can wear and take home. Silk is no longer a display item, but something to be worn, used, and lived with—in keeping with the spirit of contemporary heritage tourism. When placed in spaces that prioritize the sense of use, Bao Loc silk demonstrates its core values: stability, comfort, and reliability over time. These qualities align with the current dynamics of the luxury market, where materials and experiences are increasingly more important than image.

The two brands have joined forces to research sustainable dyeing and printing methods, developing products that serve a prosperous lifestyle: lightweight, durable, and suitable for a variety of climates. In this journey, Bao Loc silk is not seen as a symbol, but as a living material — carrying the highland climate, the precision of the technique, and a slow-paced spirit so that it can endure in the contemporary world.

The enduring partnership between Bao Loc Silk and Hity is a testament to the transformation of Vietnam's handicraft industry: moving from processing to creating value, from the domestic market to the global market. That silk has traveled far, carrying the essence of the highlands and the hands of Vietnamese artisans, telling the story of a modern, sophisticated, and profound Vietnam.

That silk thread has transcended the geographical boundaries of the highlands to enter international luxury resorts. It carries with it the climate, the rhythm of life, and the patience of its birthplace, allowing it to continue to exist as a part of contemporary life. And it is this patience—continued through the hands of Bao Loc Silk and Hity—that enables the heritage not only to be preserved, but to continue to live, naturally and sustainably.

Hity and the Journey to Bao Loc Silk

"I visited the Bao Loc silk factory on a day in early December, after months of researching and trying out various silk materials from craft villages across Vietnam. I particularly fell in love with the 19mome satin silk after my encounter with the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) and the enthusiastic and friendly salesgirl named Tam."

My initial impression of the factory was like visiting a production facility from the subsidy era. The factory was quite rudimentary, the showroom was still in the old style, the customer experience was quite basic, and there was nothing that suggested stepping into the world of silk and brocade.

But the world I imagined was the retail world, where customer experience is cherished. This, however, is the world of manufacturing. Stepping into the factory, I was truly impressed. The sound of the spinning machines rumbled incessantly. The technical director took me to see each stage of the process. With experience from over a dozen silk weaving factories from North to South, I was truly amazed by the scale of the Bao Loc silk factory.

Bao Loc silk is shaped by the climate of the Lam Dong plateau: cool, stable, and with little variation. These conditions produce uniform silk threads with a smooth surface and just the right amount of sheen—suitable for long-term use in direct contact with the body. For decades, Bao Loc silk has been a persistent presence in the Vietnamese silk industry, but it has rarely been placed in contemporary international contexts.

Vietnamese silk has long held a prominent position in the global market. Historically, over a thousand years ago, Vietnamese silk was highly prized by Western merchants trading with Vietnam through northern seaports. At that time, silk and the silk weavers were considered national treasures by the Ly Dynasty. Bao Loc became the center of Vietnamese silk production in the latter half of the 20th century, thanks to its mild highland climate, ideal for both mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing. Stable temperatures and low fluctuations ensure uniform silk threads, minimal breakage, and a smooth yet not overly cold surface. Bao Loc silk therefore has a moderate sheen, is not sharp-edged, and is suitable for products requiring direct and prolonged contact with the body. For many years, Bao Loc Silk has played a key role in standardizing and improving the quality of this silk, ensuring the stability of the material – a crucial factor enabling Vietnamese silk to sustainably enter the international market.

Technical specifications:

The distinctive features of Bao Loc silk

• Quality: Bao Loc silk threads are highly durable, have excellent absorbency, and are exceptionally soft and smooth. When touched, you will feel a silky, smooth, and cool sensation against your skin.
• Color: Bao Loc silk boasts a rich and diverse color palette, ranging from traditional shades like white, black, yellow, and red to modern and youthful colors like blue, purple, and orange. The colors of Bao Loc silk remain vibrant and long-lasting, without fading or discoloration.
• Patterns: Bao Loc silk is woven into products with many delicate and luxurious patterns, deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, such as lotus flowers, dragons and phoenixes, and cranes. In addition, modern patterns such as floral designs and geometric shapes are also used to create diversity and richness in silk products.

Advantages of Bao Loc silk

• Breathable: Silk has excellent moisture-wicking and heat-dissipating properties, keeping the wearer cool and comfortable during hot summer days.
• Keeping warm: Silk has excellent heat-retention properties, helping the wearer feel warm during cold winter days.
• Good for health: Silk has high antibacterial properties, helping to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Silk also has benefits for skin beauty, hair care, and the respiratory system.
• Luxury and elegance: Silk has long been considered a symbol of luxury and class. Products made from silk always bring a refined and sophisticated beauty to the wearer.

The process of making a premium Bao Loc silk fabric.

The process involves many stages, from mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing to silk reeling and weaving. The meticulousness and skill of the artisans at each stage are essential to creating soft and alluring silk fabrics. While mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing developed earlier and became more famous in the North, Bao Loc, Lam Dong, a highland province in the South, is the ideal place for silkworms, mulberry trees, and the climate to produce silk year-round without interruption, resulting in high yields. In contrast, other regions only raise silkworms during specific seasons.

Previously, silkworms had to work manually, which was very arduous. Now, with the application of machinery and technology, the production process has been greatly simplified, but it still requires the concentration, experience, and high skill of the artisans to create high-quality silk fabrics that have brought the name Bao Loc to prominence on the world silk map.

1. Silkworm farming (Sericulture)

First of all, producing long silk threads suitable for weaving large sizes requires high-quality mulberry trees, silkworms, and meticulous techniques for silkworms to spin their cocoons and produce silk. Sericulture is the term used to describe the process of raising silkworms and harvesting their cocoons to obtain the raw material for silk weaving. A female silkworm lays approximately 300 to 500 eggs in each breeding cycle. These eggs are incubated in a controlled environment until they hatch into larvae (caterpillars) and then into silkworms.

Silkworms continuously consume large quantities of mulberry leaves to stimulate their growth. It takes about 6 weeks for them to fully develop (reaching a length of over 7.5 cm). At this point, they stop eating and begin to raise their heads, which is when they are ready to spin their cocoons.

Once attached to a sturdy and secure frame, the silkworm begins spinning its cocoon by rotating its body in a figure-eight motion approximately 300,000 times, a process that takes about 3 to 8 days. Each silkworm produces a single strand of silk about 100 meters long, bound together by a natural gum called sericin.

Thanks to favorable natural conditions and technological support, silkworm breeders in Bao Loc have reduced their labor time from twenty days to four days per cocoon cycle, calculated based on the number of hours spent caring for the silkworms until the cocoons are harvested.

2. Silkworm rearing

When silkworms spin their cocoons, they wrap themselves inside, and this is when the silk threads are extracted. At this stage, the cocoons are placed in boiling water to soften them and dissolve the gum that binds them together. This is a crucial step in the silk production process as it ensures that the silk threads are continuously connected and do not break. The silkworm cocoons are then boiled to extract the silk threads. The silk is then carefully separated from the cocoons into individual long strands and wound into coils.

The traditional spinning wheel has always been, and will always be, an indispensable part of the silk production process. While modern industrial processes can spin silk much faster, they only mimic the functions of the classic spinning wheel. Most silk reeling factories in Bao Loc now use automated machinery. Each reeling and spinning line now only requires three to four workers. However, they are all highly skilled professionals. Each person manages dozens of spinning machines; even though the machines are programmed, ensuring the cocoons are of the right size, and that the threads are connected and joined continuously requires truly skilled craftsmen. It's difficult to see the silk threads with the naked eye, but here, all the senses and experience are involved in the reeling process.

Typically, about 10 strands of silk are drawn together to form a silk thread. This thread is wound onto bobbins and then fed into circular reels to create bundles of silk.

3. Yarn cart

In Bao Loc, bundles of silk are carefully inspected and sorted before being spun and wound onto spools for the silk weaving process. At this stage, depending on the type of silk being woven, the weavers will use the appropriate type of yarn. Typically, before spinning, the yarn passes through a winding machine or a yarn-bundling machine (also known as a yarn-bundling machine). From there, the silk yarn is wound into bundles. Depending on the quality, the way the silk yarn is twisted, and the number of strands spun, the thickness of the silk will be adjusted, creating a wide variety of silks with varying degrees of thinness, drape, transparency, sheen, softness, stiffness, and luster.

4. Silk weaving

Silk weaving is the process by which silk threads are combined. There are many ways to weave silk – satin, twill, and plain weaves are the most common methods, and the quality of the silk fabric will depend on the weave used.

Generally, silk weaving involves intertwining two sets of silk threads so that they wrap around each other to create a uniform and strong piece of fabric. The silk threads are woven at right angles, resulting in warp and weft threads. The warp threads run diagonally up and down, while the weft threads lie horizontally within the fabric.

In Bao Loc, thanks to the application of modern machinery imported from Japan and South Korea, the weaving process is no longer as arduous as before, but it still requires very high skills and experience. Each silk weaving line now requires fewer workers, but the techniques and experience accumulated from the days of heddle making, yarn spinning, plain weaving, and pattern weaving are now applied to the workers' handling of the weaving lines. While traditional weaving required selecting, shaping, and drawing patterns, today, with pre-drawn patterns, it demands keen observation and meticulousness from the weaving line workers. They need to be able to identify the width and length of the threads as early as possible, and whether the silk threads have been properly sizing. In weaving, while the weft threads are adjusted quite a bit by machinery, the workers on the warp threads require even higher technical skills. With thirteen thousand silk threads to create a warp thread, observing, adjusting, and feeling the threads to ensure sufficient tension, evenness, and no misalignment is a demanding requirement for workers on the weaving line.

5. Silk dyeing - Silk printing

Silk dyeing : If it's a plain, single-color silk fabric, it will be dyed. The beauty of the silk depends heavily on this dyeing process. Nowadays, with the support of modern machinery and technology, dyers in Bao Loc can produce silk fabrics with beautiful and long-lasting colors without the hard work of the past, but experience and a sense of silk are still highly valued.

Silk screen printing: If a silk fabric with a special pattern and design (such as DeSilk silk) is required, it will need to be printed. This can be done using two different methods: traditional screen printing or digital printing.

Traditional screen printing involves transferring a design onto a plain silk fabric using a stencil, printing table, squeegee, and ink. The basic principle of this technique is to partially soak the printing paper with ink and place it onto the plain fabric to print the pattern. The process is slow and meticulous, requiring a high level of skill, resulting in exceptionally beautiful prints.

Digital screen printing uses specially designed fabric printers and specialized inks to transfer details, whether hand-drawn or digitally created, onto the silk fabric. The application of 3D technology to screen printing is a major advancement in the fashion industry. As a result, printed products have a unique effect, with depth, shimmer, and are more eye-catching than those produced using traditional printing methods. This is a trend that many major fashion brands are interested in and developing.

6. Complete

To be ready for use, the silk fabrics must undergo meticulous finishing. After printing, the silk is immediately transferred to a steaming process to ensure the ink adheres well. In addition, several small processing steps are performed to restore the inherent sheen of this renowned fabric, giving it a smooth, durable, wrinkle-resistant, and odor-eliminating appearance.

Adopting modern technology doesn't automatically mean being completely modern. In Bao Loc, the finished silk fabrics that reach consumers are a blend of tradition and modernity. The production process includes both handcrafted and modern techniques. As a result, the silk fabrics produced are of high quality, preserving the essence of traditional Vietnamese silk while meeting the demanding requirements of modern fashion.

Applications of Bao Loc silk in modern life

Bao Loc silk is renowned and exported worldwide, trusted by consumers for its 100% natural quality. With outstanding advantages such as lightness, softness, smoothness, sheen, and breathability, Bao Loc silk exudes an elegant and refined aura. Therefore, the product is increasingly used in the fashion industry to create beautiful and luxurious clothing, as well as in household items like silk bedding. Furthermore, many other applications of silk are also very popular with customers, such as silk scarves and ties. Those who have used natural silk agree that the money spent, although more expensive than other products, is well worth it.

Bao Loc silk is used to weave and make many different products such as:

• Clothing: Ao Dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), shirts, dresses, suits, pajamas, etc.
• Towels: Scarves, bath towels, face towels, etc.
• Bedding: Silk bedding provides a cool, comfortable, and healthy feeling.
• Accessories: Ties, belts, wallets, handbags, etc.