02/05/2023
Unique style of Red Dao traditional outfits through the lens of talented photographer Nguyen Son Tung.
Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups, each of which has its own identity and unique values in terms of customs and traditions, contributing to the cultural diversity in the country.
One of the groups is the Dao ethnic minority people who reside, for the most part, in the mountainous northern provinces of Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Ha Giang and Lang Son. The Red Dao are a subgroup of the Dao people, renowned for their colourful traditional costumes that leave an indelible impression on visitors.
Tuyen Quang is home to nearly 91,000 Dao people from nine different subgroups, with the Red Dao people living mostly in the districts of Na Hang and Lam Binh.
For the Red Dao, the way they dress symbolises their ethnicity and distinguishes them from others. They are easily identifiable by the predominance of red in their clothing as the colour is believed to bring luck, happiness, prosperity and positive energy to everybody.
The traditional Red Dao art of costume decoration in Tuyen Quang’s districts of Na Hang, Lam Binh, Chiem Hoa, Ham Yen and Son Duong was recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible heritage last year.
This traditional art has a long history. In the remote villages of the Red Dao people, women still make traditional clothing for themselves and other family members.
Red Dao costumes vary by regions. There are differences in the way Red Dao people in each region wear tunics, headscarves, belts and other accessories. In some places, Red Dao people wear a string of nine or 11 large red cotton balls around their neck.
They often dress in their most beautiful and colourful outfits during traditional festivals, for weddings or on the occasion of welcoming special guests to their home.
1-Dao thanh phán -Quảng Ninh
2-Dao thanh Y-Đình Lập-Lạng Sơn
3-Dao lô gang Ái Quốc-Lạng Sơn
4-Dao lô gang Mẫu Sơn-Lạng Sơn
5-Dao lô gang Bắc Sơn-Lạng Sơn
6-Dao đỏ Tràng Định-Lạng Sơn
7-Dao Lù Đặng Tràng Định-Lạng Sơn
8-Dao đỏ(đầu đỏ) Sờ Sì Lầu-Lai Châu
9-Dao Khâu-Lai Châu
10-Dao đầu bằng-Lai Châu
11-Dao Tuyển Phong thổ-Lai Châu
12-Dao đỏ Sapa-Lào Cai
13-Dao đỏ tả phìn-Lào Cai
14-Dao đỏ Thanh Bình-Lào Cai
15-Dao Tuyển Bát Xát-Lào Cai
16-Dao đỏ Bát Xát-Lào Cai
17-Dao đỏ Yên Bái
18-Dao tiền Tuyên Quang
19-Dao tiền Nguyên Bình-Cao Bằng
20-Dao thanh Y -Hà Giang
21-Dao đỏ Hoàng Su Phì -Hà Giang
22-Dao áo dài Khuổi My-Hà Giang
23-Dao áo dài Nậm Đăm-Hà Giang
24-Dao Cao Mã Cờ-Yên Minh-Hà Giang
25-Dao quần chẹt-Ba Vì-Hà Nội.
26-Dao Quế Lâm-Cao Bằng
27-Dao khăn trắng-Hoàng Su Phì-Hà Giang
Photo by Photographer Nguyễn Sơn Tùng
