Embroidery is an important part of the life of the Dao Tien people in Deo Gio hamlet, Ngan Son commune, Thai Nguyen province.

Like other local women, Ban Thi Thanh was taught the craft by her mother and grandmother when she was little. Embroidery, Mrs. Thanh says, requires patience, precision, and creativity. It can take several days to complete a scarf or hat, and weeks—sometimes months—for an intricate costume or bag.

Having dedicated more than 40 years to the craft, Mrs. Thanh now passes down her skills to young girls in the hamlet.

"I’m very proud to teach the younger generation embroidery according to our customs. If we don’t teach them, our cultural identity will be lost," Mrs. Thanh told VOV.

As demand for brocade products grows, Thanh and other women have joined forces to market their embroidery products. With support from the commune Women’s Union, the “Deo Gio Brocade Embroidery Group” was founded in 2023 with 20 members. Initially, the output was small, the quality was uneven, and promotion was limited. The products remained largely unknown outside the village.

Thanks to training sessions on embroidery techniques and sales skills organized by the Women’s Union, members gradually grew more confident.

Beyond mastering traditional techniques, they learned how to blend colors harmoniously while preserving cultural motifs like birds, animals, mountains, and flowers. With a few basic colors like indigo, ivory, red, and green, paired with silver ornaments, the women create costumes that are growing in popularity with customers.

Group member Dang Thi Thanh said, "We embroider clothes, hats, trousers, and different kinds of bags. Each item takes a lot of effort and time. Every product finds a buyer, but scarves and hats are the most popular items."

In addition to direct sales, the group is using digital platforms to expand their market.

Member Ban Thi Huong said that she found social media very convenient. “Our group has a Zalo chat, which helps us coordinate more easily. We can also sell online. When customers order, we can post and respond much faster," said Huong.

More than 30 of their brocade products are now sold in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Cao Bang, and elsewhere at 6 to 20 USD per item, giving the women a stable income. Another embroiderer named Ly Thi Lan said, "The members support and guide each other. I embroider traditional Dao patterns like dogs and birds, as well as costumes with unique motifs. We learn from each other and maintain our heritage."

Today, the Dao Tien women in Deo Gio hamlet livestreaming, posting their products on social media, and joining e-commerce platforms are preserving their traditional craft and redefining the role of women in mountain communities. By embracing technology, they have turned tradition into a sustainable livelihood and are inspiring other women in remote areas to take control of their own lives.