The sound of thread being drawn through fabric mingles with lively conversation and laughter at many community cultural houses in Quang Ninh’s ethnic minority and mountainous areas. Instead of spending their time only on modern games, hundreds of Dao children are patiently learning each stitch to preserve their ethnic group’s traditional embroidery craft. More than simply a meaningful summer activity, the embroidery classes also help pass cultural identity on to younger generations while preparing human resources for community-based tourism development.
At the community cultural house in Hoanh Mo commune, small hands carefully guide threads through pieces of fabric. Under the instruction of artisans, nearly 20 Dao children and young people patiently learn their first stitches on their ethnic group’s traditional costumes. Hoanh Mo commune organised three embroidery classes during the summer of 2026, with the dual aim of preserving cultural identity and preparing human resources for community-based tourism development.
The movement to learn traditional Dao embroidery is also spreading strongly in Quang Duc commune. This year’s embroidery class there attracted 30 learners, 50% more than initially planned. Participants are diverse, ranging from Dao Thanh Y secondary school students and preschool teachers to people with an interest in traditional embroidery.
A distinctive feature of the class is that the entire programme is taught directly by three Dao Thanh Y artisans living in the locality. Besides teaching embroidery techniques, the artisans also tell learners the stories behind each pattern and colour on traditional costumes - values that have been preserved through generations.
Artisan Tang Thi Mui, now 62, is moved to see growing interest in embroidery among young people. She shared: “I am getting older now. My eyesight is weaker and my hands are slower, so I can no longer embroider as much or as beautifully as I used to. That is why I want to pass on everything I know to the younger generation and preserve our traditional embroidery craft.”
Each stitch made today not only helps create a traditional costume, but also weaves a sense of pride in their roots among young Dao people in Quang Ninh. From these newly established classes, Dao cultural identity is being carried forward, becoming a resource for community-based tourism development and continuing the story of preserving and promoting heritage values in Quang Ninh City’s mountainous areas.
