Tuyen Quang (VNA) – The traditional costume of the Pa Then ethnic minority group in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang, with its vibrant colours and intricate patterns, reflects both local women’s artistry and the community’s pride in their identity.
The minority community is primarily found in Thuong Minh village in Lam Binh district's Hong Quang commune and Chiem Hoa district's Linh Phu commune, and they regard the fire deity as their most sacred god. Reflecting this cultural symbolism, local women incorporate red – the colour of fire and light in their belief – as the primary hue in their traditional dress. Skillfully blending red with shades of white, black, and yellow, they create garments that are harmonious with the dramatic natural landscape where they live.
Their traditional costume is crafted with meticulous details, consisting of several components such as a long skirt, blouse, headscarf, and belt. The cross-collar blouse is worn with the skirt adorned with simple embroidered patterns, with a fabric sash wrapping around the midsection as a belt. Key decorative motifs, such as diamond shapes and triangles, are often hand-embroidered onto the garment.
In addition to the blouse, Pa Then women wear “yem” – a square chest covering, adding a modesty and elegance to the outfit. This piece of clothing, embroidered with red and yellow patterns interlaced with white stripes, enhances the vibrant look of the ensemble. Once part of everyday costume, "yem" is now reserved for festive occasions and traditional celebrations.
The over-70-year-old Hung Thi Chang, a resident of Thuong Minh village, recalled learning weaving and embroidery from her mother and grandmother when she was a child, like all Pa Then girls. In her time, during less busy farming seasons, women worked on weaving and embroidering traditional dresses, a process that can take an entire year to complete. The traditional clothing with its intricate, colourful hand-embroidered designs is a factor to judge the household skills of the local ladies, she said.
Traditionally, they also create their own dresses to wear on their wedding days. However, in recent years, the traditional clothing has become less common in daily life, worn only on special occasions such as festivals, weddings, and New Year celebrations.
To preserve this cultural heritage, the People’s Committee of Hong Quang commune has organised weaving and embroidery workshops for females, drawing enthusiastic participation. These classes not only focus on traditional costume but also teach a range of embroidery and weaving techniques for creating diverse brocade items for tourism-related businesses.
Phu Duc Lam, Chairman of the People's Committee, stated that local authorities are actively promoting the restoration and preservation of ethnic cultural values. These efforts aim not only to enrich the spiritual life of the community but also to help maintain social order and open new growth opportunities for the locality, particularly in tourism product sales./.
