Dao Tien women meticulously embroider their scarves. Photo: Ngoc Anh.

The cultural heritage of the Dao Tien people in Son La is incredibly diverse and rich. Among it, three heritage items have been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: the coming-of-age ceremony, the wedding procession ceremony in traditional weddings, and the art of creating patterns on the traditional costumes of the Dao ethnic group (Dao Tien group). These are heritages passed down through many generations, preserved, protected, and promoted to this day.

The Dao people highly value traditional customs and rituals. Therefore, although life in Dao villages has changed considerably, with modern elements intertwined and the influx of new cultural influences, the traditional beliefs and lifestyles passed down through generations have not significantly altered them. The clothing of the Dao Tien people, while not as colorful as that of the Dao Do people, has impressive details and intricate patterns, embodying profound meanings related to the traditional beliefs and traditions of the ethnic group. Dao Tien girls begin learning embroidery from their mothers and sisters from a young age. By the time they reach adulthood, they can independently dye indigo, weave fabric, embroider shirts and scarves, and make skirts, completing their own outfits to use as dowry when they get married.

Ms. Ban Thi Tuoi, from Chieng Di village, Van Ho commune, Van Ho district, is a skilled artisan in embroidery and beeswax pattern making. Speaking about the traditional clothing of the Dao Tien people, Ms. Tuoi explained: "In the beliefs of the Dao people, when performing religious rituals, they must wear traditional clothing to participate. Both the skirt and the shirt use indigo as the main color for embroidery and traditional patterns. The patterns on the skirt must follow a common template. As for the scarves and shirts, each person can create patterns according to their own ideas, as long as they maintain the traditional beauty. Only skillful and creative women can create beautiful patterns with accurate colors."

A complete men's outfit includes a shirt, headscarf, and trousers, primarily indigo with some simple white embroidered patterns on the shirt. Women's attire is more elaborate, consisting of a shirt, skirt, headscarf, leggings, belt, and some silver jewelry. Each part of the outfit takes considerable time to create. The headscarf and shirt are made from coarse white indigo-dyed fabric, then embroidered with patterns on the front, patchwork to create designs, and embellished with beads and tassels in red or pink thread. The shirt itself is embroidered with colorful threads on the hem, front, and back, featuring layered patterns. A highlight is the stylized square pattern symbolizing the sun, embroidered on the back in striking red, yellow, white, and blue against a refined dark indigo background.

The mother leads the way, and the bridesmaids escort the bride to the door. Photo: Ngoc Anh.

The dresses are decorated with intricate beeswax patterns, created through many elaborate steps. These patterns reflect the Dao ethnic group's worldview and beliefs, depicting daily life, mountains, rivers, and aspirations for prosperity and a better future. A striking feature is the silver ornamentation on the back of the dress, on the headscarf, and the coin-shaped designs on the skirt. This is complemented by silver jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. In the Dao people's beliefs, silver symbolizes wealth, abundance, and prosperity. Silver coins are also associated with religious rituals, used as offerings in weddings, and believed to help the soul accompany the deceased to the afterlife.

In the life cycle rituals, the coming-of-age ceremony and the wedding procession are considered the two most important life cycle rituals for the Dao Tien people. The coming-of-age ceremony is held for boys aged 7-11 to recognize their maturity. The coming-of-age ceremony is still preserved by the Dao Tien people in Son La province with many complex rituals, lasting two days and two nights. This ceremony fully embodies the unique cultural and religious characteristics of the Dao people, bringing together skilled shamans, singers, and respected village elders to participate in the solemn and respectful practice, yet also vibrant with lively bell dances at night, attracting the participation of the entire village.

Distinguished Artisan Ban Van Duc, from Sao Do sub-district, Van Ho commune, Van Ho district, said: "From birth to death, Dao Tien men must go through many life cycle rituals: the ceremony of reporting to ancestors (held one month after the child is born), the coming-of-age ceremony, the wedding ceremony, and the funeral ceremony. A son must be inaugurated to officially have his own name in the family tree, be considered a mature man, and have the right to preside over all family affairs."

Meanwhile, the traditional wedding procession leaves a particularly strong impression on those witnessing it for the first time. The bride's family always holds the wedding before the groom's family, choosing an auspicious time for the procession. On the wedding day, the bride is dressed in her finest clothes by relatives from near and far. She walks out of her parents' house with layers upon layers of heavy dresses, blouses, and scarves. She is then helped by her sisters and aunts for a short distance before some of the outer garments are removed, leaving her wearing only her mother's outfit to go to her husband's home. This is a way of showing the love and care of her loved ones, a way of blessing her as she leaves for her husband's home.

The Dao Tien people have their own writing system, a system of pictographic characters called Dao Nom script. Thanks to this, the wealth of folk knowledge and culture of the ethnic group is recorded and passed down from generation to generation in ancient books of the people, and copied and transmitted by elders in the villages who understand the ethnic writing system. Their language, writing, along with their original costume making art, traditional rituals, and beautiful cultural traditions passed down through generations are invaluable legacies, which the people preserve, protect, and are promoting through the most effective solutions to maintain the integrity of their traditions and ethnic origins for future generations.