The Hmong people preserve traditional crafts.

Na Bung is a mountainous border commune, primarily inhabited by the Mong ethnic group. For Mong women, weaving and embroidering brocade is a traditional cultural practice deeply rooted in their daily lives, passed down from generation to generation.

In line with modern life, traditional weaving and embroidery crafts are gradually changing. Previously, the Hmong people grew their own flax and wove their own fabric. Nowadays, they mainly use pre-woven fabrics, then sew and embroider them into their own clothing. Embroidery and sewing are done on a small scale due to low demand for buying and selling, and Hmong women mainly do this in their free time to meet family needs.

Traditional Hmong ethnic fabrics, dresses, and embroidered garments.

With the attention of the Party Committee and the government in preserving and promoting traditional culture in conjunction with the economic development of households, the traditional crafts of the Mong ethnic group have the conditions to revive and develop. Evidence of this revival is the establishment of a model for embroidering skirts and blouses of Mong ethnic costumes in Púng Pá Kha village. Established in 2018, the model comprises 40 members with the goal of creating products that reflect the unique cultural identity, while also creating jobs and increasing income during the agricultural off-season for the people.

Ms. Mua Thi My, head of the embroidery model for traditional Mong ethnic costumes in Pung Pa Kha village, said: In 2022, thanks to the attention of the Party committee and the government, the embroidery craft for traditional Mong ethnic costumes in Pung Pa Kha village was recognized as a traditional craft and received support in the form of 6 sewing machines, divided into groups. This has created favorable conditions for production, brand building, and finding markets for Mong ethnic handicraft products.

Members of the embroidery model in Púng Pá Kha village sew traditional skirts and blouses for the Hmong ethnic group.

Typically, linen fabric is imported from Ha Giang and Yen Bai provinces . Members receive the fabric and carry out various processes: dyeing with indigo, beeswax painting, embroidery, sewing traditional patterns and motifs, and making finished dresses and blouses. After completion, the products are collected and sold to traders outside the province and to countries such as Thailand and China. The main products are patterned fabrics and skirts, with prices ranging from 900,000 to 1,500,000 VND per item. On average, the model takes two months to complete orders, ship to traders, and generate over 400 million VND (before deducting expenses). This helps the women participating in the model to earn income, improve their living standards, and increase their earnings.

Ms. Mua Thi My packed up her dress and sent it by truck to the traders.

Ms. Giang Thi Chu, a member of the model for embroidering skirts and blouses of the Mong ethnic group, shared: "I am very happy that handcrafted products, deeply rooted in the traditional culture of the Mong ethnic group, are favored by traders and are purchased steadily. In my free time, I often receive fabric to work with, earning extra income to support my family. For embroidery, it takes about two weeks to complete an 8-meter roll, and I receive 250,000 VND per roll. For skirts and blouses, with the fabric already available, I can sew about 5 pieces a day, earning 100,000 VND per product, averaging over 3 million VND per month. In previous years, our economy mainly relied on farming and livestock, so we remained a poor household. Since participating in the model, thanks to suitable work that can be done in my free time and brings in a steady monthly income, my family escaped poverty in 2023."

Embroidery and garment making are part-time jobs that provide a stable source of income for the people in Púng Pá Kha.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tiep, Chairman of the People's Committee of Na Bung commune, said: "Preserving and promoting the cultural identity, especially the traditional crafts of ethnic minorities, has always been a priority for the Party committee and the government. After the merger and stabilization of the two-level government, the locality will strengthen communication efforts and develop and implement programs and plans such as: building the Ham Xoong market, preserving and restoring traditional festivals, and promoting tourism and exploration activities on Ngai Thau peak during the Lunar New Year... Thereby, creating a favorable environment for promoting and selling handicraft products of ethnic minorities in the area."

It is evident that the development of traditional crafts contributes to preserving, safeguarding, and spreading the beautiful and unique cultural features of the indigenous people. With the guidance, support, and joint efforts of the local government and the people, and using culture as a driving force for socio-economic development, the traditional crafts of the Mong ethnic group will continue to develop, serving as a foundation for the people to improve their economic situation.

Tran Nham - Thanh Dat

Source: https://dienbientv.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/van-hoa/202511/nguoi-mong-giu-nghe-truyen-thong-5821912/