The color indigo preserves cultural memory and awakens the inspiration of young people.

The deep blue indigo dye ponds in the mountains and forests, where the hands of grandmothers and mothers have preserved traditional crafts for generations, now come alive again in a new rhythm, through the "Indigo Colors - Memories of Hands" project by Gen Z youth.

Báo Tin Tức•17/11/2025

The color of memory

"Indigo robes mark the moment of parting / Holding hands, what can we say today?" These lines by poet Tố Hữu engrave the image of a realm of memory, where indigo is not just a dye, but also the breath and soul of many Vietnamese people.

For the Thai, Mong, Dao, Nung, and Tay ethnic groups, indigo is a dye color, a cultural breath, and an enduring memory passed down through the hands of grandmothers and mothers for generations. Today, this journey of preserving beauty is being continued by young Gen Z individuals through the project "Indigo - Memories from Hands," an effort to bring traditional colors into contemporary life through inspiring stories and experiences.

Photo caption — Young people performed the play "Indigo Memories," recreating the story of human memory and the journey of continuing tradition.

Mong ethnic artisan Hang Y Co shared that, although all ethnic groups use indigo dye, each keeps its own secret to creating unique shades for each piece of fabric. Among the Thai people, the indigo color is created through a meticulous process of soaking, drying, and dyeing, resulting in a color that lasts over time. Among the Mong people, the soul of indigo is embodied in the sophisticated beeswax painting technique. The Dao people combine indigo dyeing with intricate pattern printing, creating a beauty that is both rustic and elegant. All these elements blend together to create a "symphony of indigo colors" of the mountains and forests.

For the Muong people, indigo is not a vibrant color, but rather a deep and enduring one. Ms. Vuong Thi Trang (a native of Phuc Sen craft village, Cao Bang province) calls it "the beauty of perseverance." A Muong traditional costume requires 8-9 dyeing sessions, taking 2-3 months. The simple black indigo color embodies the diligence and age-old aesthetic sense of the women.

Amidst the lush green mountains, indigo dye vats silently ferment, while the hands of the craftsmen patiently stir, dip, and wring out the indigo dye. Indigo dye is the fruit of labor, but it is also the breath of time, a memory passed down from generation to generation. In every inch of indigo fabric lies a story of harmony between humanity and nature, a memory preserved through time.

In the memory of Mong ethnic artisan Hang Y Co, indigo is not just a color, but also the scent of Tet (Vietnamese New Year), the hands of grandmothers and mothers by the deep blue indigo dye vat. As Tet approaches, women in the village dye clothes for their families together, filling the villages with a lively atmosphere.

However, creating indigo-based products also presents many difficulties and challenges for Ms. Y Co: The most difficult part is "nurturing the indigo" and painting with beeswax. The temperature must be precise for the brushstrokes to be even and not damaged… The drying process also presents many challenges, as it depends on the weather; intense sunlight will melt the beeswax, easily causing the product to bleed color… But with the meticulous and patient hands of the women, the indigo color takes on a unique beauty, transcending all trends and becoming a source of inspiration for young people...

Inspiration for young creativity

Originating from a love for the rustic indigo color and a desire to preserve the beauty of traditional indigo dyeing, a group of GenZ youths undertook the project "Indigo Color - Memories of Hands," offering an inspiring journey of discovery and breathing new life into traditional values in contemporary life.

Huong Giang, Head of the Organizing Committee of the "Indigo Colors - Memories of Hands" project, shared that the project introduces many rich cultural experiences: from the stories behind the artifacts and paintings displayed in the exhibition; indigo dyeing and beeswax painting workshops; to conversations with artisans and those who love traditional art and culture. "Indigo Colors" aims to reach young people who appreciate culture, are passionate about art, and wish to find their own identity through unique experiences.

“We find that Vietnamese traditional culture, both tangible and intangible heritage, is incredibly rich and beautiful. As students of an interdisciplinary science and arts school (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), we are even more aware of our mission to spread these values more widely, especially in the context of the rapidly developing creative cultural industries…,” Huong Giang confided.

The exhibition "Memories of Hands" (part of the "Indigo Colors" project) immerses viewers in the cultural space through exquisite handcrafted products and stories about artifacts that have preserved the "indigo color" over time. The indigo dyeing and beeswax painting workshop offers an exciting experience, allowing participants to directly feel the distinctive scent of indigo, and to paint patterns themselves—tasks that require finesse and intense concentration.

In addition, the minishow "Indigo Colors - Memories of Hands" presents stories of the craft told by the artisans themselves, combined with musical performances inspired by indigo colors, allowing the audience to appreciate the beautiful interplay between tradition and contemporary art.

Huệ Chi, a participant in the experience in Hanoi, shared: "Before, I only knew about indigo dyeing through social media. When I directly applied beeswax and dyed the fabric, I realized how meticulous and delicate it is. The finished products are as beautiful as works of art. In our busy lives, we easily forget the simple yet soulful values. But when I have the opportunity to meet and talk with the artisans, my knowledge and experience are enriched."

Sharing about the project's journey, Huong Giang said that the biggest difficulty was the geographical distance: "Indigo dyeing is a craft practiced by ethnic minorities in the highlands. We study and live in Hanoi, so we have few opportunities to interact directly with them. Therefore, the group had to organize many field trips to Cao Bang, Phu Tho, etc., to listen to the stories of the locals and experience the craft in the most authentic way."

But those trips became a great source of motivation, as the group of young people received the trust and support of artisans, teachers, and the community. “As the project spread more widely on social media, we received much encouragement and high expectations. That motivated the group to continue pursuing the project long-term,” Huong Giang expressed.

Huong Giang also shared: “As young people, we have a responsibility to spread the beautiful cultural values of our nation to the community. Preserving and spreading culture cannot rely solely on an individual or a small group, but requires the collective effort of the entire community. We have the advantage of social media platforms, which allows us to spread our message more effectively and contribute a small part to bringing Vietnamese cultural heritage closer to international friends. That is the wish and hope of the entire group when carrying out this project: to contribute to preserving and spreading cultural values to everyone.”

Indigo Color is not just a media project, but also an affirmation of the vitality of national culture in the modern era. Indigo dyeing is both a traditional craft and a memory and story passed down through generations. Indigo color exists in tourism products, permeates daily life, sows the seeds of inspiration, and becomes a sustainable material nurturing a creative economy, thereby contributing to increased social responsibility and spreading the spirit of sustainable living to the community.

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