Tay woman works to preserve the craft of making traditional costumes

BHG - The preservation of traditional costumes is highly valued by the locals of Phuong Do Commune in Ha Giang City, where the majority of population are Tay ethnic people. Prominent among them is Nguyen Thi Dung, a Tay ethnic woman who has more than 20 years of experience in making traditional costumes.

Nguyen Thi Dung works on a set of traditional Tay ethnic costumes.

Having a passion for traditional cultural identity and the aspiration of preserving the traditional costumes of the Tay ethnic people, Nguyen Thi Dung’s family in Tha Village is a familiar address to many women in the village.

Having held an interest in embroidery and sewing since childhood, Dung was taught the sewing techniques by her mother.

In 2005, she bought a loom and a sewing machine to make clothes for women in the commune.

With nearly 20 years of experience, the love and passion for the needlework required to make traditional costumes that contribute to enhancing the beauty of Tay people has never faded in Dung’s heart.

Dung shared that the costumes of the Tay people are very simple and plain, carefully made from manually dyed indigo fabric. The dye to produce the indigo colour is made with natural materials.

Previously, the sewing stage was done entirely by hand and took 3-5 days. Now, by using a sewing machine, one set of costumes can be completed within a day. The selling price of a set ranges from 500,000 – 600,000 VND.

Dung always wants to hand down this profession to women in the village and commune. Therefore, Dung is willing to give instructions to anyone who is interested.

Today, due to the impact of the market mechanism, the development of society, and favourable economic exchanges, some traditional cultural features as well as costumes are at risk of disappearing.

Many people in Phuong Do Commune know how to make traditional Tay ethnic costumes, but the number of young people among them is very modest.

Therefore, the Women’s Union of Phuong Do Commune attaches great attention to popularising and protecting the value of this cultural heritage to all classes of people, especially the younger generation. The union has also worked out mechanisms to support dedicated artisans, practitioners, and those who contribute to preserving and promoting the value of traditional costumes.

BHG