San Chay ethnic costume

In Thai Nguyen province, the San Chay ethnic group has the seventh largest population, with over 48,000 people. The San Chay people have a long-standing culture rich in identity, reflected in their system of festivals, customs, beliefs, folk tales, and poetry.

Traditional clothing of San Chay women

The traditional clothing of San Chay women consists of a long indigo skirt reaching the ankles and a long, split-hem blouse. The inner blouse is usually chosen by individual preference in style and color, but is typically red with a round neckline and white trim. The outer blouse is a two-piece indigo garment, with vibrant brocade patterns embroidered along the edges of the front chest. The hem of the blouse, from the waist down, is bordered with two white or red stripes, and its length matches that of the skirt.

Along with their traditional attire, San Chay women wear their hair in a bun, a black headscarf, and accessories such as silver necklaces and bracelets, and a chain hanging from their waistband. The waistband, made of silk or brocade, features two main colors, lime green and red, skillfully combined to create a striking contrast against the dark purple-black background of the entire outfit.

San Chay men's clothing is typically dyed brown. The shirts have a standing collar and split hem, similar to the traditional Vietnamese "áo bà ba" shirt, with fabric buttons and two large pockets on the front. The main colors are indigo blue, indigo black, or brown. The trousers are wide-legged with an elastic waistband or drawstring for ease of movement and work. The fabric is dyed manually using indigo leaves and yam roots through multiple drying and soaking cycles to achieve a durable, distinctive color.

During festivals, holidays, or market days, the San Chay people often wear their traditional ethnic costumes. The traditional clothing of the San Chay people is not simply clothes for daily life or festivals, but also a symbol of their cultural identity and national spirit. Every stitch, every color on the garment embodies the experience, skill, and pride of generations.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/mien-nui-vung-cao/202606/trang-phuc-dan-toc-san-chay-1ea7911/