Piêu scarves are made from cotton fabric, then dyed black with indigo. Once the fabric is dry, Thai women begin embroidering vibrant and eye-catching patterns onto it with colored threads. Each Piêu scarf is usually the same length as, or longer than, an adult woman's arm span. To create a complete, beautiful Piêu scarf with all its patterns and designs takes 2 to 4 weeks. However, if the woman is busy working in the fields or other jobs and only does the embroidery in her spare evenings, it may take several months to complete one Piêu scarf.

The Piêu scarf is embroidered with brightly colored threads.

The piêu is an inseparable part of the traditional clothing of Black Thai women.

Ms. Lo Thi Banh from Mai Son district, Son La province, said that the Piêu scarf is an important and indispensable item in the lives of Thai women: "Wherever we go, whatever we do, we wear a Piêu scarf. When going out or visiting places, we wear a new one to look beautiful; when going to the fields or rice paddies, we wear an old one to protect ourselves from the sun and wind; in winter, we wear or wrap it around our heads to keep warm… In general, the Piêu scarf is an indispensable item for Thai women."

To create a complete, beautiful Piêu scarf with all its patterns and designs takes from 2 to 4 weeks, sometimes even months.

Ms. Lo Thi Hong Nhung from Pat village, Chieng Ngan commune, Son La city, said that the embroidery of the Piêu scarf is done at both ends, along a length of about two handspans. The three outer edges are usually embroidered with patterns called "cut Piêu," "sai peng," and "ta leo," based on the belief that: "cut Piêu" represents a noble gift from the superiors; "sai peng" symbolizes the bond of love between couples; and "ta leo" is believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the wearer's soul. The inner edges are mainly embroidered with zigzag patterns, fishbone shapes, rhombus shapes, or sawtooth patterns.

Notably, embroidery designs don't follow any mandatory patterns; they depend on each person's creativity and preferences.

Thai girls wearing Piêu scarves go to the festival.

Hong Nhung said: "When I make a Piêu, for example, if I like it, I'll embroider a triangle; others might embroider a flower, or add glitter to create a highlight. I prefer simplicity, so I don't add anything. In general, making a Piêu depends on each person's idea."

Thai girls are taught embroidery, sewing, and weaving to make scarves by their grandmothers and mothers from a young age. Learning to embroider the Piêu scarf is a process of developing their skills and honing their dexterity. By the age of 15 or 16, Thai girls have mastered embroidery, sewing, and weaving, preparing them for marriage, as the Piêu scarf is an essential gift for the bride to give to her husband's family upon moving in.

According to Ms. Lo Thi Hoan from Chieng Co commune, Son La city, the Piêu scarf is also a standard for evaluating the talent, virtue, and diligence and skill of Thai women.

Ms. Hoan shared: "In the old days, Thai women couldn't get married if they didn't know how to embroider. They had to know how to embroider Piêu scarves to give to their husband's family. They started learning embroidery from the 3rd or 4th grade. Not only Piêu scarves, but also pillows, blankets, mattresses... they had to know how to make them all."

Every year, as part of the Ban Flower Festival, Son La City organizes a Piêu scarf embroidery competition.

The first patterns when embroidering Piêu scarves.

Through generations, the Piêu scarf has been cherished, preserved, and developed by the Thai people.

In Son La city, within the framework of the annual Ban Flower Festival, a Piêu scarf embroidery competition is held. The aim is to preserve, maintain, and promote the traditional culture of the Thai ethnic group, providing an opportunity for Thai girls to interact, learn, and exchange embroidery experiences. At the same time, it helps tourists understand more about the value of the Piêu scarf in the spiritual life of the people, as today, the Piêu scarf has become a meaningful souvenir for domestic and international tourists visiting Son La – Northwest Vietnam.

Source: vov.gov.vn