Fabric weaving has been a traditional craft in Binh Lieu for ages. Mulberry planting, silkworms raising and fabric weaving used to be a familiar activity to most families in the district, and is a unique cultural characteristic of ethnic minorities in Binh Lieu. However, this job has been no longer popular nowadays.
Although modern clothes are more popular at present, the traditional costumes have been worn by Tay, Dao and San Chi ethnic minorities in Binh Lieu on the occasions of festivals or important traditional customs. Especially, mother always gives her daughter a silk mosquito-net on her wedding party, as the mother's wish for a longlife hapiness to her daughter.
In recent years, in order to promote economic restructure in the direction of increasing the proportion of tourism services, Binh Lieu District People's Committee has offered incentives to restore and develop indigenous cultural features. In particular, since 2018 up to now, to implement the Project on Preserving and promoting cultural values of ethnic groups in Binh Lieu district to 2020, in a vision till 2030, Binh Lieu emboldens local people to wear traditional costumes in their daily life activities. Especially, officials have been encouraged to use them at work. Traditional costumes of Binh Lieu have also been worn by teachers and pupils at schools.
However, mulberry planting, silkworm raising, and fabric weaving are no longer popular, resulting difficulties in making traditional costumes because their accessories are unavailable for sale.
Ms. Ly Thi Chuong, 80, is the only one in Binh Lieu to retain all skills in weaving and making traditional costumes. With all her love and experiences, she has made beautiful, embroidered products with submerged typical patterns featuring ethnic groups in Binh Lieu.
Making traditional costumes is a beautiful cultural characteristic of the ethnic people in the Binh Lieu. It not only can meet the local's demand but also be used to serve tourism development. However, it is now gradually disappearing, which needs to be paid with much attention to be recovered in the district.
Translated by Hue Linh
