Thatching a new Cafe

One of the most noticable aspects of rural life in modern Vietnam is the way that so much of the local economy is still only a short step from a cashless society. The use of thatch gives a good example of this. Here there are some pictures which show a modern cafe being thatched. The main poles are cut from trees near the village, the roof structure is entirely made out of bamboo poles and laths taken from the gardens of family members int he village, the leaves are cut from palm trees in the gardens and the ties which are used to fix the leaves to the laths are cut from pieces of bamboo. The labour for all this is supplied by family members who come in return for similar favours that have been, or will be, granted.

April 2011

A traditional thatched village house
A traditional thatched village house
A traditional thatched village house


Older buildings like this house to the left were normally thatched, as were houses in the UK. The level of insulation against the heat is greatly superior to that of tiles, let alone of flat concrete roofs. The framework of the cafe
The framework of the cafe
The framework of the cafe


First the structure is made of bamboo laths strapped to wooden poles - with the help in this case of a neighbours brick wall. Thatch is tied to this framework
Thatch is tied to this framework
Thatch is tied to this framework Stacks of palm leaves for thatching
Stacks of palm leaves for thatching
Stacks of palm leaves for thatching


Palm leaves are gathered from the village and brought to the site in large bundles. Pile of half dried leaves Pile of half dried leaves Pile of half dried leaves Splitting bamboo into slithers
Splitting bamboo into slithers
Splitting bamboo into slithers


Ties to secure the palm leaves to the laths are made by cutting short lengths of bamboo lengthwise more and more finely until they are extremely thin and flexible Bunch of ties
Bunch of ties
Bunch of ties Starting at the bottom and going up
Starting at the bottom and going up
Starting at the bottom and going up
Several men working securing the fronds to the framework, each is tied in place using the slithers of bamboo seen above Fronds being fixed with bamboo ties
Fronds being fixed with bamboo ties
Fronds being fixed with bamboo ties Here a fashionable cafe in thatch
Here a fashionable cafe in thatch
Here a fashionable cafe in thatch


Roofs thatched with leaves have many advantages, the very thick layer that is made acts as an excellent insulator, the materials (treaatd before hand by imersing for many weeks) are very durable, and the cost is negligible.