VIETNAM'S 54 ETHNICS

- The Tay often stage stick puppetry at their New Year’s celebration and also at the Going to the Field Festival, a custom that has existed for more than 200 years. Stick puppetry shows draw materials from the daily lives of the villagers, and are done in the interest of entertainment, their wishes for a peaceful year and bumper crop, and to honor the academic achievements of certain villagers.

(photo: dantocmiennui.vn)

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/colorful-vietnamvietnams-54-ethnic-groups/stick-puppetry-of-the-tay-774521.vov

- The Thai people living in Vietnam’s northwestern region highly treasure silver. They use and gift silver jewelry and products at important events such as weddings and religious ceremonies.

Photo: Thai women prefer wearing silver jewelry to festival.

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/colorful-vietnamvietnams-54-ethnic-groups/silver-in-the-life-of-thai-people-772764.vov

- Thai women in Vietnam’s northwest region always wear shoulder bamboo baskets when they work in terraced fields or go to the forest to pick vegetables and fruit. A shoulder bamboo basket and a knife are essential items for Thai women when they leave their house.

A Thai woman wears a shoulder bamboo basket to market.

- The ethnic Black Thai of Vietnam’s northwestern region value the Pieu scarf as a symbol of love and an important clothing accessory for women. All Black Thai women can weave and embroider Pieu scarves.

Black Thai women carefully make their Pieus.

The Black Thai in Son La province base their calendar on the phases of the moon. Important events such as funerals, weddings, ground breakings, house-warmings, and crop plantings are organized on lucky days of the lunar month.

Photo: An almanac of the Black Thai.

Indigo is a dominant color of clothes of many Vietnamese ethnic groups. The Tay in the northern region say that the tradition of using the indigo plant to dye fabric is derived from a folktale of the faithful love of a young couple. Ever since, indigo, adeep midnight blue, represents faithfulness and deep sincerity.

Photo: Traditional indigo clothes of the Tay

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/colorful-vietnamvietnams-54-ethnic-groups/indigo-clothes-of-the-tay-770494.vov

-Brocade weaving, an age-old craft of the Van Kieu – PaCo in the central province of Quang Tri, has faded into obscurity due to the commercial production of modern fashion. To restore the craft, local administrators have organized weaving workshops to help people earn extra income and encourage the traditional clothes be worn at community festivals, and as work uniforms. “Colorful Vietnam, Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups” segment will introduce you to the activities that are helping the Van Kieu – Pa Co keep the art of brocade weaving alive.

Photo: Ho Van Hien, Vice Chairman of A Bung commune’s People’s Committee, introduces the brocade products made by A Bung's Brodcade Weaving Club.

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/colorful-vietnamvietnams-54-ethnic-groups/van-kieupa-ko-revive-traditional-broacade-weaving-769020.vov

- For the Red Dao, a ceremonial music band is an important part of happy events such as wedding ceremonies. The cheerful sound of clarinets and drums expresses the joy of the bride, bridegroom, and their guests.

(Photo: giaoduc.net.vn)

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/colorful-vietnamvietnams-54-ethnic-groups/music-in-wedding-ritual-of-red-dao-in-lao-cai-province-797578.vov

- All Thai families in Vietnam’s northern mountainous region have a brass pot. It’s not only cookware but a symbol of prosperity.

Photo: Brass pots of the Thai.

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/colorful-vietnamvietnams-54-ethnic-groups/brass-pot-a-necessary-item-of-thai-families-801025.vov

The Khmer in Vietnam’s southern region are celebrating the Ok Om Bok or Moon Worship Festival. After the harvest, they hold the Ok Om Bok Festival to honor the Moon, a supernatural power, for protecting their crops, regulating the weather, and blessing them with fruitful crops and prosperity.

Photo: 10 teams join the 2019 Ghe Ngo race in Soc Trang province.

https://vovworld.vn/en-US/colorful-vietnamvietnams-54-ethnic-groups/ok-om-bok-festival-of-the-khmer-799051.vov