Bao Loc silk: a buyer's guide to Vietnam's highland mulberry industry

Vietnam is the world's sixth-largest silk producer. Most of that production is concentrated in Bao Loc, in the Central Highlands at 800–1,500 m elevation. The cooler climate gives finer silkworm fibre than tropical-lowland silk produced in southern China or Thailand. Why elevation matters. Mulberry leaves grown at altitude have higher protein content. Silkworms fed on those leaves spin finer, more consistent thread (denier 2.0–2.4 vs 2.6–3.0 for tropical-lowland). Premium buyers — Hermès, Gucci atelier suppliers — have sourced from Bao Loc for two decades. Product range. Raw silk yarn (denier 20/22, 27/29, 40/44). Woven fabric: dupioni, satin, organza, twill, charmeuse. Finished products: scarves, ties, decorative panels. Specifications. State momme (silk weight per unit area — 16 mm for scarves, 19–22 mm for satin, 30+ mm for upholstery). State width (typical 114 cm or 140 cm). State dye method (acid dye, reactive dye, natural plant dye for premium buyers). Certifications. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is increasingly common. GOTS for organic silk is rare but achievable for buyers willing to commit volume. CITES does not apply to silk. Lead times. Raw silk shipping in 14–21 days from confirmed order. Custom-dyed and -woven fabric: 35–60 days production + 30–35 days transit to EU. Pricing context. Bao Loc silk runs USD 65–90 per kg for standard 22-momme satin, FOB Hai Phong. Tropical-lowland alternatives are USD 45–65, but visibly different in lustre and hand. Risks. Silk yields vary year-on-year with weather and disease. Buyers planning seasonal collections should book capacity 6 months ahead. Counterfeit silk (rayon blends sold as 100% silk) exists in low-tier supply — burn-test your samples or insist on independent fibre composition testing. Heritage angle. Vietnamese silk has an export story buyers can tell — French colonial-era mulberry plantations, Đổi Mới-era industry rebuild, modern artisan revival. Strong narrative material for premium positioning. 5B Trading routes silk RFQs to vetted Bao Loc partners with Oeko-Tex certification. Sample fees apply but are credited against first order.