Dao Quan Trang women preserve their traditional embroidery

 The Dao Quan Trang (White-Trouser Dao) women of Da Ban 2 hamlet, My Lam Ward, have preserved their traditional embroidery craft and passed it down through generations.

Dao Quan Trang women in Da Ban 2 preserve the traditional embroidery of their ethnic costumes.

In the past, it could take nearly a year to complete a Dao costume. Cotton was planted in February, harvested in June, spun and woven into cloth, dyed with indigo by September, and only then embroidered. Each motif carries its own meaning, reflecting beliefs about nature, humanity and aspirations for a prosperous, harmonious life. As Dang Thi Ly, a club member, explained: “Preserving the patterns means preserving the soul of our people.”

The products have become commercial goods, popular with many customers.

At one point, the craft faced the risk of fading away as modern clothing replaced traditional attire and younger generations lost interest in embroidery. In response, the Dao Cultural Preservation Club of Da Ban 2 was established in 2022, prioritizing the revival and transmission of traditional costume-making alongside folk songs, dances and language.

Dao Quan Trang women in Da Ban wearing their traditional daily costumes.

Beyond cultural preservation, the embroidered costumes, bodices and leg wraps have become marketable products. Through social media, club members have introduced and sold these handmade items to customers both locally and in neighboring provinces.

Under the stilt house in Da Ban 2, each careful stitch not only binds threads together but also weaves memories, helping the Dao people preserve their cultural identity amid the rhythms of modern life.

Nguyen Dat