The Mong ethnic group in Son La province accounts for over 16% of the province's total population, comprising various subgroups such as Mong Do, Mong Lenh, Mong Si, Mong Du, etc. While preserving the original values of their traditional clothing, the Mong people also innovate and modernize their attire, maintaining their identity while adapting to contemporary styles.
Hmong ethnic minority girls at the Co Ma highland market.
The traditional clothing of the Hmong people is distinguished by its intricate techniques in flax spinning, fabric patchwork, beeswax printing, and brocade embroidery with vibrant colors. The patterns on the dresses and blouses are not merely decorative, but embody a philosophy of life, beliefs, and aspirations for nature. Each flowing skirt, low-cut blouse, headscarf, or beaded belt is the culmination of the diligent labor and skillful hands of Hmong women.
Throughout their development, Hmong women have flexibly improved their traditional clothing to make it more convenient for daily life. Ms. Trang Thi Mai, a seamstress specializing in ethnic clothing in Co Cham village, Van Ho commune, said: "Nowadays, people often choose fabrics like linen, cotton, and velvet – soft, breathable, and sweat-absorbent materials – to make their clothing. The brocade patterns are also both inherited and creatively adapted to ensure aesthetic appeal. In addition, some details in the design have been changed to simplify the process of putting on the clothing. For example, instead of using a belt to tightly wrap the skirt, people sew elastic into the skirt, making it quicker and more comfortable to wear."
Many households in Co Ma commune earn a high income from sewing modernized clothing.
In recent years, the craft of making modernized ethnic costumes has opened up economic development opportunities, bringing high incomes to many households in the highlands. The family of Ms. Thào Thị Dợ, who makes costumes at the central market of Co Mạ commune, currently employs three workers and produces and sells over 100 Hmong ethnic costume accessories and clothing items each month, generating hundreds of millions of dong in revenue annually. Ms. Dợ shared: "There are many designs available online; besides, details like collars, sleeves, and waistbands are also readily available, so making costumes is quite fast. Each modernized costume takes about 2-3 days to complete and costs between 250,000 and 400,000 dong per set, depending on the design."
At the Co Ma Highland Market during the National Day celebrations on September 2nd, Ms. Vu Thi Sa Ly from Co Ma commune, who runs a costume rental business, introduced: "These modernized ethnic costumes still respect the original values, using tradition as a foundation for creativity. The dresses and blouses retain the traditional brocade patterns but are sewn in a modern style, incorporating new colors and materials; wide or slit skirts, fitted blouses, help to accentuate the figure of young women. In addition, there are many jewelry and accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, beaded headwear, handbags, etc., making the costumes even more striking and attractive."
Young Mong ethnic girls from Co Ma commune pose in their modernized traditional costumes.
At major cultural events in the province, such as the Ban Flower Festival, the Quynh Nhai Culture and Tourism Week, and the Folk Art Competition, there are always beauty contests showcasing traditional and modernized ethnic costumes. These newly designed Mong ethnic costumes, while still preserving traditional elements, leave a lasting impression on tourists from within and outside the province, becoming "cultural ambassadors" and further driving tourism development.
Dr. Luong Hoai Thanh, Director of the Center for Research on Ethnic Cultures of Northwest Vietnam, Northwest University, stated that: The traditional costumes of the Mong ethnic group in particular, and the ethnic groups of Son La province in general, have always undergone changes and adaptations to suit the general development trends of society. Designing and modernizing costumes is an artistic activity that requires creativity, but it must be based on traditional elements, ensuring compliance with customs and aesthetics, and contributing to the preservation and dissemination of cultural values from these ethnic costumes.
The traditional and modernized costumes of the Mong ethnic group have created a unique appeal, helping the people in the highlands earn additional livelihoods through embroidery and weaving, and the Mong ethnic cultural identity in Son La continues to spread, contributing to the promotion of tourism development.