The costumes of the Red Dao: between aesthetics, creativity and heritage

The Red Dao are part of the Dao ethnic group, one of Vietnam’s 53 ethnic minorities. They live mainly in the mountainous northern provinces such as Cao Bang, Điên Biên, Hà Giang, Lang Son and Tuyên Quang. Like other ethnic groups, their traditional costumes are a distinctive element of their traditional culture.

A parade of Red Dao costumes.

Given the importance they attach to clothing, the Red Dao want their outfits to display aesthetics, creativity and sophistication in every detail. From the age of 14 or 15, girls are taught by their mothers and grandmothers how to make clothes, whether spinning, weaving, embroidery or sewing…

Red is the dominant colour.

The traditional costume of Red Dao women has two basic colours: black and red. According to their beliefs, red brings happiness, luck and fulfilment and creates positive energy. Beyond the colours, the women who make them show their ingenuity, meticulousness and talent for embroidery through magnificent ornamental patterns. This is why the exceptional beauty of their costumes is so impressive.

Weaving brocade to make traditional costumes.

A women’s costume is more complex than a men’s outfit and has more details. Generally, a complete outfit includes a four-panel dress reaching to mid-calf, whose colour matches the trousers, an undershirt, a red sash and two scarves: one worn in the hair and the other used as a shawl.

Accessories are an essential element whenever women wear traditional costumes, especially at festivals and important events. Among them are two 30 cm strings of red wool pompoms, hung symmetrically across the chest and stretching from the shoulder to the waist. As for jewellery, made of silver, it is very varied: rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings… A woman may wear from one to five necklaces.

Wrapping the scarf around the head is no easy task.

Thanks to its unique features, the decorative art of Red Dao traditional costumes was recognised as national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2019.

According to the beliefs of this ethnic minority, red brings happiness, luck and fulfilment and creates positive energy.

Text and photos: Linh Thao – Tuân Anh/VNA/CVN