Sowing spring into brocade weaves

The fusion of traditional indigo hues of the Dao people, vibrant brocade motifs and recycled denim has created a distinctive hallmark for the handmade bags crafted by teacher Trieu Thi Dao of Minh Khai Primary School in Ha Giang 2 Ward. Driven by a deep love for ethnic heritage, she is breathing new life into traditional materials while helping promote the cultural values of the northern province of Tuyen Quang.

Teacher Trieu Thi Dao promotes handmade brocade bags as a content creator.

Born and raised in a Dao family in Dong Tam Commune, Dao grew up surrounded by weaving looms, indigo dye and intricate brocade patterns reflecting the spirit of the mountains. As an art teacher, she has long been concerned that traditional garments are gradually being replaced by mass-produced clothing. Her idea of combining brocade with recycled denim emerged from a desire to bring ethnic textiles closer to contemporary life.

Each bag requires one to two days of meticulous designing, cutting and sewing. The most challenging stage lies in selecting and coordinating materials - balancing deep indigo fabric, colorful brocade strips and faded blue denim to achieve visual harmony. In the early days, however, her creative approach faced skepticism from some community members who feared that cutting traditional fabric would diminish its value. Undeterred, Dao persevered, viewing innovation as a practical way to preserve culture in a modern context.

Handmade brocade bags created by teacher Trieu Thi Dao.

In early 2025, her collection titled “Flowers of the Mountains” was officially launched, marking a significant milestone. The designs feature embossed motifs of roosters, pack horses and mountain goats, alongside abstract representations of terraced fields and misty mountain ranges. The blend of tradition with a message of recycling and environmental protection has resonated strongly with customers.

Priced between VND 500,000 and VND 2 million per piece, more than 100 unique bags were sold during the recent Lunar New Year holiday alone. Through her Facebook page and TikTok channel, she has expanded the reach of Tuyen Quang’s brocade to customers nationwide and overseas.

Looking ahead, she plans to expand her small workshop and provide hands-on training for local women, creating sustainable livelihoods while continuing to develop new fashion products inspired by traditional brocade.

Giang Lam