Traditional Costume of Ethnic Groups in Vietnam

Ethnic groups in Vietnam

Vietnam is a country rich in cultural diversity, home to 54 recognized ethnic groups, each with its unique traditions, languages, and clothing. Traditional costumes are an expression of these diverse cultures, reflecting the history, geography, and identity of each community. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most distinctive traditional costumes worn by ethnic groups in Vietnam.

The Kinh

The áo dài is perhaps the most famous Vietnamese costumes, traditionally worn by the Kinh people, the largest ethnic group in Vietnam. This long, elegant tunic is often made of silk and comes in various colors and patterns. It is typically worn over trousers and is a symbol of Vietnamese grace and beauty, frequently seen at formal events and celebrations.

Dao Cham

In Vietnam, there are various Dao groups, but they are usually considered as one because they have similar language, religion, and culture. The main contrasts are seen in their clothes, which have special designs. One group, called Dao Chàm or Dao Áo Dài, gets its name from their tunics that look like the traditional Kinh dress. They wear plain head scarves with embroidery, as well as big layered silver necklaces and earrings. You can encounter Dao Chàm people at Nặm Đăm cultural villages in Ha Giang.

Red Dao

Red Dao clothing has red and white borders. Their trousers have detailed embroidery depicting family life and animist symbols. Their headdresses are often adorned with silver studs, coins, and tassels. The most remarkable headdress is the Red Dao triangular red turban. The bridal headpiece is even more impressive, made from decorated red cloth and designed to completely cover the bride’s face on a wooden base.

Tay

The Tay are the second biggest ethnic group in Vietnam, right after the Kinh. They live all over the northern part of the country. Their clothes are simpler compared to some other minority groups. They wear basic black velvet or indigo-dyed jackets with pants or skirts. Women usually wear a simple silver hoop necklace and a small black velvet headpiece. Sometimes, the jackets have small embroidered designs, but they’re usually not very flashy.

H’mong

In Vietnam, the Hmong are one of the significant ethnic groups among the 54 ethnic groups in the country. There are various H’mong groups. They all wear clothes made from handwoven hemp with stitching, dyeing, and embroidery. H’mong girls learn embroidery when they’re young and after marriage, they make clothes for the whole family. White H’mong wear plain dresses with spiral patterns. Flower H’mong have detailed designs, like fancy reverse applique methods.

Black H’mong

The Black H’mong are a part of the H’mong group in Northern Vietnam’s mountains. They wear a special sleeveless jacket made from polished hemp, along with detailed embroidered sleeves, collars, and belt sashes. Their unique skills in textiles make them highly skilled creators in Vietnam.

Ede

The Ede people mostly live in the central province of Dak Lak. Their traditional clothing is remarkable. Ede women wear a boatneck shirt with full sleeves, and they wrap a sarong as a skirt. The shirt is adorned with fine embroidery on the shoulders and hems, often featuring small gold bells or red pom poms. The skirt fabric is woven with horizontal stripes in green, red, blue, and white, sometimes with a touch of gold thread. Ede men wear loincloths with intricate floral designs on the front to display their strength.

Cham

The Cham people in Vietnam reside in the Mekong Delta and small groups along the Central Vietnam coast. They wear mostly white or blue cotton clothes. Both men and women wear a sarong tied at the waist, and over it, they wear a tunic. Women’s tunics have snug sleeves, while men’s tunics are looser. The Cham are known for weaving striking pink or blue textiles used in special rituals and ceremonies.

The traditional costumes of Vietnam’s ethnic groups are a testament to the country’s rich cultural tapestry. From the elegant áo dài of the Kinh people to the vibrant brocade dresses of the H’Mong, each garment tells a story of cultural identity and heritage of the ethnic groups. Exploring these traditional costumes offers a glimpse into the diverse and colorful world of Vietnam’s ethnic groups.

For more insights into Vietnam’s cultural heritage and traditional clothing, stay tuned to our blog. Don’t forget to share this post to spread the beauty and diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic groups’ costumes!

05/07/2024

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