Artisan Trieu Thi Tuyet at Tan Lap hamlet, Quang La commune, stands out as a symbol of tireless dedication to safeguarding the traditional brocade embroidery of the Dao Thanh Phan people.
Within the Dao Thanh Phan community, generations of women are responsible for preserving and passing down the traditional embroidery craft. These are the older artisans, deeply knowledgeable about the patterns and motifs unique to their ethnic group, who play a pivotal role in teaching the younger generations. Among them, artisan Trieu Thi Tuyet stands out as a symbol of tireless dedication to safeguarding the traditional brocade embroidery of the Dao Thanh Phan people.
She has devoted her entire life to the craft, lovingly guiding every needle and thread, and breathing life into each piece of brocade, with the hope of preserving the embroidery techniques and intricate motifs on traditional garments. Her mission is to pass these skills on to the youth, helping protect the cultural identity of her people from being swept away by the fast-paced rhythm of modern life.
“Thanks to passionate individuals like Mrs. Tuyet who are devoted to traditional brocade embroidery, our community’s costumes are still preserved and thriving today”, said Ban Thi Yen, the head of the Dao Thanh Phan cultural preservation club.
As a key instructor at the cultural preservation club in Quang La, Mrs. Tuyet contributes to nurturing a shared space for learning and cultural exchange while helping promote the Dao Thanh Phan cultural identity to the broader community and visitors.
It is common to see Mrs. Tuyet attentively guiding students how to form each stitch and explaining the cultural meanings embedded in every motif inside the club’s embroidery class. A Dao woman’s traditional attire consists of trousers, a shirt, a headscarf, and various accessories, among which the shirt is the most elaborate. It is adorned with five primary colors such as red, blue, white, yellow, and black where red serves as the dominant hue. For the Dao, red symbolizes prosperity, happiness, abundance, and positive energy.
Embroidery came to her both from passion and from a deep sense of responsibility to protect her cultural heritage.
“At the age of 12,” she recalled, “I watched my grandmother embroider each motif and listened to her teach that embroidery carries the spiritual essence and cultural identity of the Dao Thanh Phan. Those were my very first lessons.”
She remembers struggling for months to complete her first complex motif,, the ancient "coin flower" design, and spending years to finish a full outfit. Yet these challenges nurtured her patience and strengthened her love for the craft. Even after marriage and while balancing a busy life, she never abandoned the embroidery frame.
Nearly 40 years later, the most precious treasure she holds is not the products she has created, but her knowledge and mastery of traditional techniques, which the community deeply values.
“I feel honored to learn this beautiful cultural tradition of our Dao Thanh Phán people. Mrs. Tuyet teaches us every detail with great care. I will keep practicing so I can help preserve and spread our craft”, said Trieu Quy Hai, an 8th-grade student.
As modern life evolves, many traditional crafts face the risk of fading away. That is why teaching children embroidery from a young age is more meaningful than ever.
“Hand-embroidered costumes are an essential part of our identity. Each ethnic group has its own clothing, like a language that speaks for our origins. Our ancestors taught us that embroidery is a way to remember where we come from. If we let this craft disappear, we lose our roots”, shared artisan Tuyet.
She also hopes that through skill development and product creation, young learners can earn additional income and help introduce Dao Thanh Phan traditional attire to visitors near and far.
Many Dao Thanh Phan women continue this legacy, teaching embroidery to the younger generation. They not only create beautiful, meaningful artifacts, but also keep the sacred flame of cultural pride burning brightly within their community.
