Lao ethnic group’s decorative art on costumes becomes national intangible cultural heritage

At the event

As one of the 20 ethnic minority groups residing in Dien Bien province, the Lao community lives in 23 hamlets across nine communes of Dien Bien and Dien Bien Dong districts. The art of costume decoration has developed through the Lao people’s production activities and passed down and preserved by the community. Patterns on traditional Lao clothing not only reflect cultural values but also convey profound life lessons.

The Lao people in Dien Bien have advanced their costume decoration craft not only to serve daily needs but also to preserve and promote their traditional heritage. Woven and decorative products have become valuable commodities, providing a stable income for Lao women.

Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Bien district Nguyen Thai Binh acknowledged that in recent years, local authorities and the Lao community in the locality have actively preserved the beauty of traditional Lao clothing. However, the impact of modernization and acculturation have posed risks of cultural erosion, urging the Lao people to heighten their awareness and determination to protect their brocade weaving craft and traditional costumes for future generations.

The Lao women preserve their traditional craft.

At the ceremony, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Dien Bien province Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized that the recognition of Lao costume decoration art as national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism is a source of pride and encouragement for the Lao community to continue to preserve and promote the unique beauty of Lao culture and create distinctive tourism products to facilitate the development of Dien Bien’s tourism.

Translated by Tran Hoai