The unique red color on the traditional clothing of the Dao Thanh Phan people in Binh Lieu.

The unique red color on the traditional clothing of the Dao Thanh Phan people in Binh Lieu. Photo: Vietnam.vn

The Dao people in Binh Lieu district, Quang Ninh province, consist of two branches: the Thanh Phan Dao and the Thanh Y Dao. The traditional clothing of Thanh Phan Dao women is very elaborate, featuring vibrant red colors that clearly reflect the distinctive characteristics of their ethnic group.

The unique red color on the traditional clothing of the Dao Thanh Phan people in Binh Lieu. Photo: Vietnam.vn

The terrain and geographical location of their settlements also partly influence the colors of each ethnic group's clothing. For the Dao Thanh Phan people, red has long been their dominant color. Dao Thanh Phan women typically wear a black outfit embroidered with red patterns on the collar, sleeves, and legs. They wear a tall, rectangular red hat tied with a string at the chin, and a white or brightly patterned blue and red scarf wrapped around their heads.

The unique red color on the traditional clothing of the Dao Thanh Phan people in Binh Lieu. Photo: Vietnam.vn

Young Dao Thanh Phan women often wear a red headscarf with floral patterns, tied with a string at the chin, symbolizing modesty and grace. Married women usually shave their heads, wear a red box, and cover it with a patterned scarf.

In particular, the elaborate headdress worn by Dao Thanh Phan women is the most intricate part of their traditional attire, requiring considerable time and effort to create.

The vibrant costumes and ever-present bright smiles accentuate the unique beauty of the Dao Thanh Phan women from the mountainous region.

The vibrant attire and friendly smile accentuate the unique beauty of the Dao Thanh Phan women.

The floral patterns on headscarves, shirt hems, and trouser hems feature many images reflecting cultural life, such as plows, bean flowers in the fields, ginseng flowers, or terraced rice paddies.

Living in the high mountains, the Dao Thanh Phan people believe that wearing brightly colored clothing will deter wild animals from harming them.

The Dao Thanh Phan women are not only diligent and hardworking in labor and production, but they are also skillful in creating traditional costumes that reflect the unique culture of their ethnic group.

Unmarried Dao Thanh Phan girls often wear a red headscarf with striking floral patterns. When working in the fields, their attire stands out against the backdrop of the rice paddies.

In their free time, the women of the Dao Thanh Phan ethnic group often embroider floral patterns on their dresses and blouses.

The Dao Thanh Phan people believe that wearing colorful clothing will deter wild animals from harming them. Despite facing many hardships, the Dao Thanh Phan people in Binh Lieu still preserve their cultural traditions and customs, adding to the beauty of Binh Lieu's land and people.

Binh Lieu District has over 90% ethnic minority population. Life is still difficult, but in each house of the Dao Thanh Phan people, many cultural values ​​are preserved, especially the traditional clothing of the Dao women, which is rich in distinctive cultural features. The sophistication in dressing and arranging the costumes, and the creativity in embroidery of the patterns, make the Dao Thanh Phan women always create a vibrant ethnic cultural beauty amidst the mountainous landscape of Northeast Vietnam.

Diem Giang