Brian Jeffrey
Red is the prominent color in the attire of Red Dao women, setting them apart from other cultural groups. On the other hand, men’s garments are simpler, usually in black and indigo hues.
A Red Dao woman’s traditional outfit typically consists of a headscarf, shirt, camisole, belt, pants, and various silver accessories such as buttons, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings.
The attire worn by Red Dao women is intricately embroidered and adorned with tassels in colors like red, blue, yellow, white, and indigo, with red being the dominant hue. Red Dao tradition holds that the color red symbolizes happiness, prosperity, luck, and positive energy.
Hoang Thi Hong Vuong, a Red Dao woman from Phan Thanh commune, Nguyen Binh district, highlights that red signifies the Red Dao ethnic group, and their indigo clothing is embellished with hand-embroidered designs.
Describing the significance of the attire, Vuong explains, “A Red Dao woman wears a large hat, silver bracelets, and creates her own set of traditional clothes before marriage for important events like weddings, ceremonies, and festivities.”
The headscarf is a distinctive accessory for Red Dao women, with larger scarves being preferred. These scarves are intricately embroidered with plant and flower motifs along the hem.
The shirt, featuring a detachable collar, is considered the most challenging piece to craft due to its stringent aesthetic standards. It is adorned with silver motifs and a red cotton sash that encircles the neck and drapes in front.
One Red Dao woman shares, “Crafting the neck piece alone takes three days due to the intricate button work. When a Dao girl marries, her husband’s family customarily crafts a necklace, bracelet, and silver buttons for her attire.”
The art of costume making among the Red Dao in Vu Minh commune, Nguyen Binh district, was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Red Dao women eschew traditional embroidery frames, choosing to hold the fabric by hand while embroidering. They spontaneously stitch patterns from their imagination, creativity, and life experiences.
Ly Mui Sinh, a Red Dao woman in Phan Thanh commune, expresses, “Youth are encouraged to preserve our culture by creating traditional costumes. The elderly are passing on this craft to uphold our heritage, handcrafting attire and embellishing it with embroidery, fabric flowers, and beads.”
While women’s garments are elaborate and colorful, men’s clothing is simple, typically in black, blue, or brown. Men wear turbans, shirts, and pants akin to other ethnic groups like Tay, Nung, Lo Lo, and San Chi.
Ban Duc Thang, deputy secretary of the Phan Thanh communal Party Committee and chairman of the communal People’s Committee, explains, “Men wear black shirts with multiple pockets and pants. Historically, men would layer 3, 5, or even 7 shirts. The turban is also black or indigo, with buttons crafted from cloth.”
As per Red Dao tradition, a woman’s traditional attire is buried with her to ensure a proper welcome from her ancestors in the afterlife.
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