Water hyacinth handicraft products have a wide range of applications, including woven baskets, woven storage boxes, woven placemats, and various home accessories and decor. Its superior flexibility and moldability allow artisans to create diverse designs to meet the needs of different markets. Due to its easy availability and rapid growth in Vietnam, water hyacinth offers a cost advantage over other natural weaving materials like bamboo and rattan, providing wholesalers and buyers with a more economical and efficient option.

Before water hyacinth can be transformed into woven baskets, it must undergo the following key pre-treatment processes:

1. Harvesting:
All raw materials are sourced from local lakes, rivers, and ponds in Vietnam. Water hyacinth grows rapidly and reproduces quickly, without the need for excessive agricultural or chemical interventions, making it a natural and eco-friendly material. As a result, it is often regarded as a sustainable resource.

2. Cleaning and Sanitization:
After harvesting, the water hyacinth undergoes thorough cleaning to remove dirt, impurities, and any remaining aquatic organisms, ensuring the cleanliness of the raw materials and preventing quality issues in later stages. Sanitization helps to inhibit microbial growth, ensuring the safety of the weaving materials.

3. Drying and Cutting:
After cleaning, the water hyacinth is laid out in the sun to naturally air dry. This step is crucial to reduce moisture content, preventing mold or decay. Once dried, the fibers become stronger and more suitable for weaving. The dried water hyacinth fibers are then cut and prepared according to the specific length and width requirements for different products.

4. Dyeing (Optional):
Depending on design requirements, the water hyacinth may be dyed before weaving or painted after weaving. Only environmentally friendly and non-toxic dyes are used, ensuring that the color remains uniform and fade-resistant. After dyeing, the fibers are dried again before moving on to the weaving process.