The 'thread' that preserves the soul of the Black Thai people's traditional clothing in Van Cuom village.

In the modern pace of life, while many young people in mountainous areas choose to leave their villages to work elsewhere, in Vang Cuom village, Yen Tinh commune, Tuong Duong district, Nghe An province, there is still a woman who quietly clings to her homeland, wearing traditional clothing and holding onto her ethnic pride.

Báo Thanh niên•19/10/2025

This is Vi Thi Vieng, a seamstress born in 1991, who has chosen her own path: to stay, preserve the soul of Black Thai traditional clothing, and pass that love on to future generations.

‘Sợi chỉ’ giữ hồn trang phục người Thái đen ở bản Văng Cuộm - Ảnh 1. — The seamstress, born in the year of the Goat, Vi Thi Vieng

Driven by her love for the traditional clothing of the Black Thai people, Vieng learned tailoring in the town before returning home to open a small shop. Initially, orders were few, but she persevered, stitching each garment meticulously, gradually becoming a trusted source for women in her village and neighboring villages. The dresses, scarves, blouses… under Vieng's hands are not just clothing, but the soul of the ethnic group's culture, which she cherishes and preserves.

Not only did Vieng pass on that love to herself, but she also passed it on to her daughter. In the evenings, by the lamplight, she meticulously taught her daughter how to cut fabric, sew on buttons, hold scissors, and place the needle. For Vieng, teaching her daughter was not just about providing a livelihood, but more importantly, about instilling in her daughter a sense of pride in preserving and continuing the traditional beauty of the Black Thai people of Yen Tinh.

‘Sợi chỉ’ giữ hồn trang phục người Thái đen ở bản Văng Cuộm - Ảnh 2. — Vieng is teaching his daughter how to sew buttons onto a blouse.

Not content with just garment making, Vieng and her husband have also dabbled in many other trades to stabilize their lives. From planting acacia trees and supplying acacia seedlings to local people, to learning the craft of making curtains and blinds – their products have traveled with people to remote villages from Huu Khuong, Bao Thang, Xop Chao… Now, her family is also a reputable furniture distributor for a large company in the province, supplying beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs, and curtains to many families, especially those working far from home who want to beautify their rural homes.

Despite being busy with making a living, Vieng has never missed out on the collective movements of her village. She is an active member of the Farmers' Association, a member of the folk song and dance club of Vang Cuom village, and has received a certificate of commendation from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the commune for her contributions to building the movement.

In particular, in July 2025, when the people of the former Thach Giam town suffered heavy losses in Typhoon No. 3, Vieng temporarily set aside all her business activities and, together with her husband, formed a group of 16 people to bring sticky rice, grilled meat, and salads to help the people. Not only did they supply food, but they also rolled up their sleeves to shovel mud, wash clothes, and carry things all day long, helping to alleviate the losses of the flood victims. Furthermore, she was always one of the first to participate in fundraising and support for those in difficult circumstances in the area.

‘Sợi chỉ’ giữ hồn trang phục người Thái đen ở bản Văng Cuộm - Ảnh 3.

‘Sợi chỉ’ giữ hồn trang phục người Thái đen ở bản Văng Cuộm - Ảnh 4.

The Vientiane relief team (wearing white hats) and their friends are helping people after Typhoon No. 3.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

At 34, Vieng has proven the strength of character of a Thai ethnic woman: daring to be different to hold onto what she loves, daring to cling to her homeland with skillful hands and unwavering determination. Not only is she successful in business , but she also contributes to preserving culture, building the community, and spreading the spirit of sharing.

Every night, in the small house in the village of Yen Tinh, the rhythmic sound of Vieng's sewing machine blends with her gentle voice as she patiently teaches her daughter each stitch and each cut of fabric. This image is like a continuation – from the mother's hands, the love for Black Thai clothing gradually seeps into the daughter's hands, becoming a persistent and enduring stream.

Vi Thi Vieng is not only sewing dresses and blouses, but is also "weaving" pride, so that in the future, when people mention the traditional Thai costumes of Yen Tinh, they will remember the people who have chosen to live beautifully by preserving the cultural essence of their village. And from Vieng, it is hoped that many more young people will dare to stay, dare to follow in her footsteps - so that the thread of tradition will never be broken in the flow of time.