21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Red Dao people sew clothes

The traditional costumes of the Red Dao people in Ta Phin have very bright colors. Red Dao men's daily clothes are indigo. The costumes of Red Dao women are more diverse because of the concept that a beautiful outfit must include 5 different colors. The Red Dao believe that girls must know how to embroider. From a young age, girls were taught to spin linen, weave fabric, embroider flowers... Therefore, their costumes, from clothes and scarves to belts and hats, are all woven, dyed, sewn into shapes and embroidered decorations by the hands of Red Dao women. To sew a traditional costume, Red Dao women need a lot of time and effort, requiring them to have patience and dexterity. Normally, it takes a year to complete a costume if you work quickly, sometimes up to 2 years for someone who works slowly. It is the sophistication and meticulousness in each stage of implementation that creates the unique identity of the Red Dao ethnic costume that cannot be mixed with any other ethnic group.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Vietnam
Camera: NIKON D850
Copyright: © Helena Vân