Unique traditional clothing of women in Northwest Vietnam.

A Ha Nhi girl in traditional attire. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Among the mountainous provinces of Northwest Vietnam, Dien Bien province, one of the western border provinces of the country with 19 ethnic minority groups living together such as Thai, Hmong, Ha Nhi, Lao, etc., is attracting domestic and international tourists with its unique cultural features. Among these, jewelry and accessories for women are particularly noteworthy.

Clothing and folk tales

The series of events celebrating the opening of the National Tourism Year - Dien Bien , associated with the 2024 Hoa Ban Festival, recently took place in Dien Bien province, attracting over 80,000 visitors. Among the highlights of the series, the "Highland Cultural Space" program contributed to increasing tourist numbers, with the participation of 23 provinces and cities nationwide. Over 90 booths showcased and promoted local specialties and ethnic minority villages in the highlands of Dien Bien province and other provinces in the Northwest region.

Handmade aluminum earrings by the Hmong people. Photo: Ngoc Lien.

Upon arriving at the Highland Cultural Space, many tourists are captivated by the costumes and accessories of women from the Thai, H'Mong, Ha Nhi, and Dao ethnic groups. These traditional festival costumes, everyday outfits, and accessories such as handkerchiefs and other ornaments, in various shapes and materials, spark curiosity and a desire to explore .

Decorative patterns on the scarves of the Lao people. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Ms. Lo Thi Nhung, a Lao ethnic woman from Dien Bien Dong district, Dien Bien province, shared that for Lao women, the hand-embroidered patterns on their clothing, handkerchiefs, and handbags all have stories associated with each image. Lao women's clothing is often embroidered with bright, vibrant patterns, with silver buttons on a strip of blue fabric adorned with rows of silver coins. Along with skirts and blouses, silver hairpins or headscarves are indispensable accessories for Lao women. These items are carved or embroidered with patterns of leaves, flowers, plants, or animals associated with their lives and beliefs, such as dragons, tigers, intertwined snakes, and elephants ridden by people.

Celebrating cultural values

Closely linked to their daily lives, the traditional clothing of the Ha Nhi ethnic group in Muong Nha district, Dien Bien province, possesses unique features that captivate tourists down to the smallest detail.

Accessories worn by a young Thai ethnic woman.

Accessories worn by a young woman of the Thai ethnic group. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Ms. Pờ Lụ Xì Mé, a Hà Nhì ethnic woman living in Sín Thầu commune, a border commune in the far west of Vietnam, located in Mường Nhé district, Điện Biên province, said that for Hà Nhì women, traditional clothing and headscarves are always a source of pride when they wear them. Most of the blouses are sewn by the women themselves according to their preferences, with patterns and motifs decorating the collar and hem. The front of the blouse is often decorated with buttons, coins, or silver or aluminum jewelry. Along with clothing, the headscarf is also an item that contributes to the beauty of Hà Nhì women.

The highlight of the traditional clothing of the Ha Nhi Hoa ethnic women is the vibrant colors created by unique embroidery techniques, reflecting their worldview and philosophy of life. Common patterns on women's clothing include: rhombus shapes, polygons; floral patterns: pumpkin flowers, vegetable shoots, peach blossoms; moon, sun, mountains and rivers; and animals associated with daily life.

Traditional costumes of the Red Dao, Sila, and Ha Nhi ethnic groups. Photo: Ngoc Lien

In addition, other ethnic groups such as the Thai and Hmong place great emphasis on patterns and accessories in women's clothing to further enhance their beauty.

Ngoc Lien

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202403/doc-dao-voi-trang-phuc-phu-nu-tay-bac-5f454e5/