Mong textile patterns recognized as intangible cultural heritage

Motifs and patterns in handicraft textiles are used by local Mong to represent their social life, culture, history and aspirations. They believe costume patterns help them communicate with the deities.

"The main decorations on Mong people’s clothes like shirts, skirts, belts, scarves, and leggings in the shape of a cross, triangle or lozenge, among others, are made by sewing cloths of different colours through embroidery or encaustic painting. Mong people possess their unique motifs and designs for their clothes, totally different from other ethnic peoples.", said Nguyen Thi Mai Hoa, a researcher of ethnic peoples’ costumes.

Since ancient times Mong people have used motifs and patterns on the designs of their textiles to portray their daily life and culture. There no identical items as every garment is hand-crafted to communicate a stage in the owners life.

A ceremony of granting the “national intangible cultural heritage” status to traditional textile patterns of the Mong ethnic people was held early this month in the north-western province of Dien Bien’s Muong Cha district.

"The recognition has brought joy to the community that has been working to preserve its cultural identity. It is expected to further promote community-based tourism in the locality.", said Chang A lu, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong Cha District. 

In addition to making traditional costumes, Mong women also create beautiful embroidered pictures, scarves, and other textiles items to serve tourists’ increasing demands, making their localities new attractive destinations for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors.