Meo Vac district in the Northernmost province of Ha Giang is home to 17 ethnic groups and is mostly populated by the H’mong people.
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Traditional costume of H’mong women |
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H’mong ethnic women’s costumes have many layers, including a short coat, a long skirt, an apron and a head scarf. |
The traditional costumes of H’mong women reflect the depth and identity of their culture. They skillfully transform natural fabrics such as linen, silk, and brocade into colorful garments. Depending on their personal preferences and aesthetic sense, they make the costumes unique by combining fabrics and adding embroidered motifs using colored threads. Their attire typically consists of many layers, including a short coat, a long skirt, an apron, and a headscarf, all meticulously embroidered with intricate patterns.
Although their population is modest, the Lo Lo ethnic group, living mainly in Meo Vac townlet and Xin Cai commune, has a rich and distinctive culture. Their traditional costumes are elaborate, from the way they are cut and sewn to the patterns and shapes they feature. Each pattern is associated with the beliefs, concepts, and traditional culture of the Lo Lo people.
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The traditional costumes of Lo Lo ethnic women in Meo Vac townlet are elaborate from the way they are cut and sewn to the patterns and shapes they create. |
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Costumes of Lo Lo ethnic women in Meo Vac townlet include short shirt round neck, long sleeves, the hem just touching the waistband of the pants, and a head scarf decorated with colored tassels, beads or small cotton balls. |
Lo Lo ethnic women's shirt is short, has round neck, long sleeves, the hem just touching the waistband of the pants. The front and back of the shirt are decorated with square blocks formed by joining triangular patches. The front flap of the shirt has two large decorative lines along the hem of the shirt. The cropped pants are decorated with many patterns running around the axis of the pants. Lo Lo women wear a head scarf decorated with colored tassels, beads or small cotton balls.
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Giay ethnic women in Tat Nga commune in their traditional costumes |
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White silver jewelry adds to the beauty of the Giay ethnic costumes. |
The costumes of the Giay ethnic people are simpler in color than those of other ethnic groups in the district. Giay ethnic women often wear flared knee-length skirts and overshirts with a row of fabric buttons at the armpits and wide sleeves. Their headscarf is usually an indigo-dyed square scarf. The Giay ethnic group mainly lives in Nam Ban, Tat Nga, Niem Son, and Niem Tong communes.
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Traditional costume of the Tay ethnic group. |
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Traditional costume of the Dao ethnic group |
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Xuong ethnic girl in traditional costume |
Each costume carries a story about the history, beliefs, customs, and practices of an ethnic group and represents their irreplaceable pride and identity. Therefore, Mèo Vạc District has determined that preserving traditional costumes is not only a way to safeguard cultural heritage but also a means to promote tourism and sustainable economic development. In fact, protecting and promoting the value of traditional costumes is the responsibility of the entire community, in order to uphold cultural beauty for younger generations.
Translated by Mai Huong