Dao identity in Khe Mon

The women in the village still keep the traditional embroidery and costume making profession.

Mr. Trieu Quoc Viet, Head of Khe Mon village, excitedly said that the village has 105 households, nearly 100% of which are Dao people wearing white pants. Therefore, the Dao identity is always preserved and promoted by the local people, especially the elderly in the village. The grandmothers and mothers are always role models, instructing and encouraging their children and grandchildren to preserve the unique cultural features of their ethnic group.

Ms. Truong Nac, Deputy Head of the Performing Arts Team of the Village Elderly Association, shared that the team has 8 core members who are art lovers and passionate about ethnic culture. Every day, in the evening, the team members maintain dance and singing practice. In addition to singing Pao Dung, traditional dances of the Dao people, the members also practice some modern performances praising the Party, Uncle Ho, the country's innovation and regularly exchange with art teams and clubs in villages in the commune and localities in the province.

The bib is embroidered with many unique patterns.

While meticulously embroidering a yếm, an indispensable part of the Dao women's costume, Ms. Hoang Thi Vui said: "In the past, we were taught to embroider by our grandmothers and mothers since we were young. At the age of 14-15, I already knew how to embroider skillfully and prepared for myself the most beautiful outfit for my wedding day." A complete outfit includes: yếm, ao dai, headscarf, belt, necklace, pants... On the black background of the ao dai and headscarf, the patterns are embroidered in white, red and yellow, creating a highlight for the outfit.

In addition, silver bracelets and silver strings are indispensable to highlight the outfit. Later, she embroidered and made costumes for her children. Now that she is old and has to wear glasses to see clearly, she still takes advantage of her free time to embroider her own costumes. In addition, if anyone wants to place an order, she will embroider for them to earn extra income.

The meticulously embroidered necklace is unique and one of the highlights of the Dao women's costumes.

Ms. Dang Thi Sen, Head of the Village Women's Association, said that many young people are now reluctant to wear traditional costumes, so the Village Women's Association has promoted and encouraged members to wear ethnic costumes on every holiday, Tet, and on important days such as congresses, conferences, festivals, etc. At the same time, preserving the language by teaching children and grandchildren to speak ethnic languages when communicating in the family, so that they can learn the common language but still speak their own ethnic language fluently. Only then will the younger generation understand the good customs and practices of the nation and together preserve them, not letting them fade away over time.

In particular, on this occasion, to prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival, members of the Performing Arts Team and the Village Elderly Association, dressed in traditional costumes of the Dao people, actively participated in the local Mid-Autumn Festival model and performed on the streets of the central commune and ward. Thereby, creating an impression on the people and tourists about the land and people of Tuyen Quang, which are imbued with national identity.

On every occasion of holidays, Tet, festivals, and cultural exchanges, members of the Art Team and the Village Elderly Association help each other prepare traditional costumes of the Dao ethnic group to participate.

Coming to Khe Mon today, people's lives have been improved, many economic models bring high income to the people. But there are things that always exist, which are the stilt houses, Dao women in traditional costumes, the singing and dancing of the grandmothers and mothers... Everyone is still joining hands to build a new way of life, at the same time not forgetting to preserve and promote the national cultural identity in daily life.

Huyen Linh

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/du-lich/202509/ban-sac-nguoi-dao-o-khe-mon-dbd2f73/