Traditional crafts have been formed for a long time in the development process of society in general and each ethnic group in particular. Traditional craftsmen create products that are both commodities and artistic and represent the identity of each ethnic group.
In Pa Xa Lao village, Pa Thom commune, Dien Bien district, the Lao brocade weaving craft has appeared since the early days of the village's establishment, accompanying the people through many ups and downs of time and existing to this day. After decades, the brocade weaving craft is still being preserved and developed by the Lao ethnic people here as valuable treasures imbued with cultural identity. In 2023, Pa Xa Lao village was recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as a traditional Lao brocade weaving craft village.
Ms. Lo Thi Van, Director of Pa Xa Lao Brocade Weaving Cooperative, said: “Lao ethnic women are always proud of their traditional weaving craft. That pride helps this traditional craft to be preserved and maintained to this day, even though Lao ethnic people have changed a lot in their daily costumes. That is why, in order for the weaving craft to survive and develop in today's modern trend, it is necessary to create new, unique and more attractive products. In addition to traditional dresses, the Cooperative also produces bags, scarves, etc. as gifts and souvenirs. These items sell quite well, especially when the Cooperative participates in Cultural - Tourism Week programs in neighboring provinces, such as: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Thanh Hoa”.
On the occasion of the "Dien Bien Culture - Tourism Week in Ho Chi Minh City" in December 2023, we brought many unique traditional textile products of our people and received great attention from people in the southern provinces. Especially traditional scarves. With unique patterns and decorative motifs, bright colors, depending on the size, scarf products can be used as scarves or tablecloths. Many scarves can also be made into paintings, framed as gifts or displayed in the house, which is also very unique. Just while chatting with customers, I explain to them to visualize the meanings and images of the patterns on each product. Also at this Cultural Week, we connected with a unit in France, ordered about 1,000 products of all kinds, and plan to go to Dien Bien this August to work directly - Ms. Lo Thi Van shared.
In the border commune of Na Bung, Nam Po district - where nearly 100% of Mong people live, many women in the commune have established a model of embroidering and sewing Mong ethnic costumes as goods. Not only creating a source of income for the family, this meaningful model is also contributing to preserving and maintaining the traditional profession of the ethnic group. Weaving and embroidering brocade is a long-standing traditional profession, closely associated with daily life and imbued with the unique cultural features of the Mong people. From this advantage, the model of embroidering and sewing Mong ethnic costumes of women in Na Bung commune, Nam Po district was born in 2021, gathering women who know how to embroider and sew in the commune to work together to create brocade products for sale to the market.
Ms. Trang Thi Cau, Head of the Mong ethnic costume embroidery model, Na Bung commune, Nam Po district said: “Traditional Mong ethnic brocade products are made through many stages, requiring meticulousness and dexterity of women's hands such as growing flax, spinning, wax printing, indigo dyeing and embroidery... In addition to traditional costumes, women now innovate many styles and designs to suit the age, body shape and purpose of use, but still retain the unique traditional features of Mong ethnic costumes. Along with searching and expanding domestic and foreign markets, the brocade products of Na Bung women not only serve local needs but are also popular and used in many countries such as Thailand, the US... On average, each year, the traditional costume sewing profession brings in an income of 30 - 50 million VND for members”.
Under the skillful hands of Mong ethnic women, each meticulous needle and thread has created unique and beautiful brocade products. It not only helps women develop the economy, escape poverty but also provides an opportunity for Nam Po district to preserve and promote valuable traditional cultural values to exploit tourism development in the future. Ms. Tran Thi Yen, Vice President of Nam Po District Women's Union, said: "At first, there were only 10-20 women, but now the model has increased to 30 women and every year the products are sold more and more and the connections are more. Along with that, we also guide the women in the model, especially the head of the model, by applying information technology, connecting via Facebook, Zalo, promoting through electronic information pages. Or let them participate in start-up competitions, accompany districts, competitions in the province so that they can learn more good models, good practices to continue developing their model".
In addition, there are still many traditional occupations that have changed with the flow of time. For example, the traditional Khau Xen cake making profession in Muong Lay Town has produced cakes made from cassava or rice, with sweet or less sugar flavors depending on the needs of customers. That shows that, besides traditional products, traditional craft villages and occupations have been gradually integrating but not dissolving in the development trend of society. Although their products have been improved and changed in design, in general, they still retain the soul of the nation, and are still the threads that preserve, connect, and spread the traditional culture of the nation to the community.
Source: https://baodienbienphu.com.vn/tin-tuc/van-hoa/216441/de-nghe-truyen-thong-hoa-nhap-voi-hien-dai
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