Traditional stilt houses of ethnic communities such as the Thai, Xinh Mun and Kho Mu in Dien Bien province, in Vietnam’s north-western region (Photo: Thu Thuy/ VOV)

Mrs. Hoang Thi Phuong of the Thai ethnic group in Dien Bien Phu ward, Dien Bien province, says that when her children and grandchildren have finished their homework, she teaches them to sing traditional Thai songs.

The Thai are the largest ethnic community in Dien Bien province, comprising more than 38% of the province’s population. For more than ten centuries they have been preserving their distinctive cultural traditions. One of the customs of the Black Thai women is wearing a hair bun on top of their head which according to the Thai, reflects their soul and spirit while showing the Thai women’s beauty.

Mrs. Phuong said: “According to the customs of the Black Thai, when a woman gets married, she ties her hair up in a bun on top of her head. If she ever becomes widowed, the bun is tied slightly to the right. If she remarries, the bun is tied to the left.”

Mrs. Phuong and other elderly Thai women are passing on to the younger generation Thai customs, festivals, folk songs, dances, and legends, so they can continue to preserve and promote them.

Ms. Ho Phuong Hoai of Dien Bien Phu ward has written many literary works about the Thai culture. One of her notable works is a poem about the Thai hair bun.

“I believe poetry has a soul only when it comes from love for the homeland and people. I’ll continue my writing to preserve the fine traditions of our group for future generations,” Hoai said.

The Dao women in Dien Bien wear traditional costumes or display them during community cultural activities. Chao Thi Ton, a Dao woman in De Tau village, Sang Nhe commune, said thanks to patient instruction from their grandmothers and mothers, many eager-to-learn Dao girls learn to make and embroider traditional Dao costumes.

“Since I was little, I’ve loved my group’s traditional costumes. I loved watching my grandmothers and mother embroider and I learned to make my own clothes. If anyone else wants to learn, I’m always willing to teach them,” said Ton.

Most communities in Dien Bien have established folk art troupes and clubs. At the Folk Dance and Sports Club in Na Sang commune, elderly women gather regularly at the communal cultural house to practise.

Mrs. Lu Thi Oan, a member of the club, said: “We must preserve our tradition and not let it fade away. No matter how modern we become, we can’t abandon our traditions. Our traditional culture includes singing, music, and dances such as the hat dance.”

Each ethnic group contributes its own particular color to Vietnam’s cultural beauty. By preserving and promoting their own ethnic cultural identity, the women of Dien Bien are helping to preserve the unique culture of Vietnam.