Tiếng Việt
The first quarter of 2026 marks a period of strong and inspiring growth for Maries Co., Ltd. – a premium handicraft brand from Huế, specializing in products made from lepironia grass. More than just a production story, Maries is steadily asserting its position within Vietnam’s handicraft sector, building a close connection between cultural heritage, community livelihoods, and a long-term vision for sustainable development.
A New Space – A New Way of Storytelling
At the beginning of 2026, Maries Vietnam officially completed the relocation of its showroom, opening a completely new experiential space—larger, brighter, and more professional. This is not merely a change of location, but a strategic transformation aimed at elevating the Maries brand.
The new showroom is designed as a “Maries Craft House,” where customers do not simply purchase products, but can truly “touch” the journey behind a traditional Huế conical hat, a handbag, or handcrafted accessories. From raw lepironia grass fibers to finished products, every stage is conveyed through space and real-life experience.
This relocation allows Maries’ handcrafted collections to stand out more prominently, improving accessibility for both tourists and international partners. It also lays the foundation for expanding Maries’ brand strategy—bringing Vietnamese handicrafts to the global market.
Training Young Artisans – Preserving Craft Through Knowledge Transfer
Alongside market development, Maries continues to implement training programs in Huế’s traditional lepironia grass weaving villages, as part of its sustainable development partnerships.
These training sessions go beyond technique—they are a process of intergenerational knowledge sharing. Experienced artisans guide newcomers, from selecting raw materials to handling intricate details. This transfer of knowledge ensures the continuity of the craft.
At a time when many traditional villages face the risk of fading away, maintaining a young artisan workforce is a positive signal. For Maries, preserving a craft does not mean keeping it unchanged—it means helping it adapt and remain relevant in today’s world.
Welcoming the Lao Delegation – Connecting Sustainable Economies Through Lepironia Grass
On January 24, 2026, Maries had the honor of welcoming a high-level delegation from the Lao PDR, led by Ms. Phonevanh Outhavong, Vice Minister of Finance of Laos, along with Mr. Robert de Waha, Resident Representative of LuxDev for Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
The visit, part of efforts to promote green investment, financial governance, and sustainable development, marked an important milestone in the company’s cultural and economic engagement in Huế.
During the visit, the delegation explored Maries’ closed-loop production process—from raw materials to finished products such as Maries conical hats, lepironia grass bags, and handcrafted accessories. These products, rich in Huế identity, left a strong impression on international representatives.
More than just a visit, this was an opportunity for Maries to present its sustainable development model—linking businesses, craft villages, and local communities. Through this, Maries reaffirmed its role as a bridge between Vietnam’s traditional culture and international markets through handicrafts.
Spring Fair – Meeting the Market, Listening to Customers
At the 2026 Spring Fair, Maries introduced familiar products, but told their stories in a more approachable way.
Visitors did not simply browse—they asked questions about materials, production processes, and the stories behind each item. These direct interactions provided valuable insights, helping the team better understand real market needs and refine both designs and communication strategies.
The fair also served as a space for meeting new partners and opening doors for long-term collaboration. For a handicraft brand, maintaining direct market connections remains essential.
Year-End Celebration: “The Power of One – Stronger Together”
Held in the early days of 2026, Maries’ Year End Party was not just a summary event, but a moment for the entire team to come together and reflect on a journey filled with pride, gratitude, and unfinished goals.
The achievements of 2025 were revisited clearly, and individuals as well as teams were recognized through internal awards—not only for top sales performers, but also for cultural contributors, dedicated creators, and those working quietly behind the scenes to keep operations running smoothly. This stands as a key achievement: building a team that not only performs well but also understands and values each other’s roles.
The atmosphere was open and sincere. Challenges and shortcomings were shared honestly—not to avoid, but to acknowledge and improve.
“The Power of One – Stronger Together” was not just a slogan, but a mindset reflected in how each individual contributes to the collective. When each person grows stronger, the entire team grows stronger.
This is the foundation that allows Maries to step into 2026—not only with growth ambitions, but with a resilient team ready to go further together.
Honoring Artisans – A Bond Built by the Hands That Preserve the Craft
At the end of the year, Maries returned to the lepironia grass weaving and conical hat-making villages—the origin of every product—to personally express gratitude to the artisans who have quietly accompanied the journey throughout the year.
There were no grand stages or elaborate ceremonies—just simple gatherings, handshakes, and conversations after a long working season. The gifts, though modest in material value, carried deep appreciation for every hour of dedicated work and every meticulous detail crafted over time.
Over the past year, these hands have ensured production stability, maintaining both quality and the true spirit of craftsmanship in every product delivered to customers. It is a quiet achievement, yet decisive for Maries’ overall development.
For Maries, the connection with craft villages goes beyond orders or production partnerships. It is a relationship built on trust and long-term companionship—where businesses and artisans share the responsibility of preserving, nurturing, and sustaining the craft in modern life.
Human Resource Policies 2026 – Stability for Sustainable Growth
Entering 2026, Maries conducted a comprehensive review of its salary, bonus structures, and organizational framework, based on insights from the previous year.
The adjustments are not abrupt changes, but refinements—improving income mechanisms, performance recognition, and role allocation across departments.
Notably, these policies are built from real experiences—addressing the actual challenges faced by the team. As a result, the system is not only clearer, but also better suited to the rhythm of a handicraft business, where each role carries its own unique characteristics.
The true achievement lies not in numbers, but in creating a more stable working environment. When artisans, production teams, and office staff all feel recognized and secure, they can focus on doing their work well—ultimately enhancing overall product and service quality.
For Maries, investing in people is never an expense. It is a way of building a strong foundation—slow but steady—for sustainable growth in the long journey ahead.
Supporting Harvest Season with Lepironia Grass Farmers
From the early months of the year, Maries has worked closely with farming households in raw material regions to prepare for the lepironia grass harvest season in April.
In addition to planning harvest timing and manpower, Maries provides partial financial support for purchasing tools—helping farmers prepare more effectively and work more efficiently.
Though modest, this support comes at the right time. With proper tools and working conditions, harvesting becomes faster, easier, and more productive. At the same time, freshly cut grass can be processed promptly, ensuring optimal quality for the next stages.
For Maries, sustainable development is not an abstract concept. It is about recognizing the very real challenges faced by artisans and farmers—and choosing to support them through practical, meaningful actions, starting from the smallest things.
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The first quarter of 2026 was not about loud milestones, but about reinforcing core foundations: people, craft villages, and long-term development strategies.
For Maries, sustainability is not a distant goal—it is a way of working every day, through small, practical, and meaningful actions.
And that journey continues—steadily, purposefully, and with a deep sense of responsibility.