The traditional costumes of each ethnic group have different designs, colors and decorative patterns, all created by the diligent and skillful hands of women. The sophistication in each embroidery and thread has made each ethnic group's costume like a real work of art. Each costume also carries within it a foundation of the lifestyle of that ethnic group. And they are always proud, preserve and shine with the traditional costumes of their ethnic group in every moment of life and production.

Giay women's costumes

The Giay women's clothing in Bat Xat consists of separate shirts and pants. The shirts are designed to be hip-length with colorful background colors such as red, pink, blue, purple... Giay women's shirts are decorated with cuffs and edges with fabric lines of different colors to highlight the main color of the shirt. The shirt is buttoned with fabric buttons on the chest like the Vietnamese ao dai with silk fabric that is also very soft and gentle.

Men's clothing has a shirt with a slit at the chest, round neck, standing, and fabric buttons. The shirt usually has three pockets, two lower pockets and one pocket on the right. The shirt body is slightly short, indigo. Men's pants are straight-leg pants, about 30 - 40 cm wide, with a large waistband, without a drawstring but just worn around the body.

On holidays, festivals, and spring outings, the Giay people always choose the newest and most beautiful shirt to wear with the wish that all good luck and good things will come to everyone. Combined with the modern lifestyle, the Giay women's dress has changed somewhat, showing a more refined and suitable aesthetic: Women wear shorter dresses, with smaller sleeves; If before, the dress was only hemmed in the front of the chest, young people now lengthen the dress to the back, creating a beautiful circle. ... making the wearer stand out, fresh, and charming, making them even more proud, loving, and attached to their ethnic identity.

Traditional costumes of the Ha Nhi people

Traditional costumes of the Ha Nhi people are usually indigo black, blue, or white. Men's clothes are usually only one color, with buttons on the front of the chest, while women's dresses have round necks, with the ends of the front and back flaps cut into isosceles triangles. In addition, Ha Nhi women also wear cloth scarves decorated with aluminum coins, with cotton balls made of colored threads, and tassels at the ends of the cotton balls. A complete Ha Nhi woman's costume includes a blouse, a shirt, a belt and a bib. The Ha Nhi's costume stands out with its curved edges like waves and clouds. The flowers are handcrafted in silver, standing out against the dark blue background of the shirt. The fabric buttons are also shaped like flowers to connect the bib pieces together.

For men's costumes, their clothes are usually black with a blue collar, and on their heads are scarves instead of hats, which both protect against the sun and absorb sweat. The buttons on the front of the shirt are relatively simple but are all made of silver because they believe that silver can both ward off evil spirits and is very beautiful for decoration.

The most impressive feature of the Ha Nhi woman's costume is the headdress. Traditionally, the hat is braided with a ponytail running across the forehead, creating a very eye-catching decorative wig. Children's hats are usually indigo, low and cylindrical, with a split top but are quite flat and studded with many white silver coins. This silver coin represents the wish for wealth, prosperity and has the effect of avoiding poisonous winds.

A completed outfit takes about more than 1 month, while embroidering additional patterns on the sleeves takes up to a week. The Ha Nhi people often use a set of clothes on normal days or on holidays, festivals, and celebrations.

Red Dao ethnic costumes

The Red Dao ethnic costumes are very unique, from the headscarf to the patterns and motifs embroidered on the shirt, pants, and bags. The headscarf is also the highlight and also the thing that easily distinguishes the Red Dao people from other branches of the Dao ethnic group. The unique beauty of the Red Dao ethnic costumes cannot be without silver. Silver is attached to the headscarf, the chest band, or the set of buttons... The most beautiful traditional costumes must be the ones with the most expensive silver attached. Red Dao women often choose to wear them to attend weddings, festivals, and New Year's occasions. Traditional silver-studded costumes and silver jewelry are part of the dowry that parents prepare for their daughters to marry, and they are also indispensable items for the Red Dao people. They are also often the dowry that the husband's parents will give to their new daughter-in-law in the wedding customs of the Red Dao people.

Do Hoa