Preserving the culture of the Dao people in Khe Mon

Khe Mon hamlet (Thai Hoa commune), home entirely to the Dao Quan Trang ethnic group, has long been a stronghold of traditional culture. Members of the local adult club actively maintain practices such as wearing traditional costumes, speaking the Dao language, singing Pao Dung, and weaving.

Women in the hamlet continue to preserve the craft of embroidery in traditional costumes.

According to Mr. Trieu Quoc Viet, Head of Khe Mon hamlet, local women play a pioneering role in safeguarding traditions and passing them on to younger generations. The hamlet’s art troupe, comprising eight members of the adult club, regularly performs in the evenings with dances, Pao Dung singing, and repertoires praising President Ho Chi Minh, the Party, and the nation.

A hallmark of the Dao Quan Trang people is their traditional weaving craft. Mrs. Hoang Thi Vui shared that Dao girls begin learning to weave from childhood, and by their teenage years they can skillfully make traditional costumes. Each set typically includes a bib, blouse, headscarf, belt, necklace, and trousers. Black serves as the base color, highlighted with vivid red, white, and yellow patterns.

However, Mrs. Dang Thi Sen, Chairwoman of the women’s club, noted that fewer young people today wear these traditional garments. To address this, the club encourages members to don their costumes during Tet, festivals, and cultural events, while also teaching the Dao language to the next generation.

Particularly during this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, the art troupe and elderly residents in Dao costumes joined the parade, leaving a strong impression on locals and visitors alike.

Alongside economic development, the community continues to preserve cultural treasures such as stilt houses, Pao Dung singing, folk dances, and hand-embroidered costumes, helping to build a modern lifestyle deeply rooted in Dao cultural identity.

Huyen Linh