As one of 19 ethnic communities living in Dien Bien province, the Xa Phang people (belonging to the Chinese ethnic group in the community of 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam, originating from China), have a population of more than 2,000 people, residing in villages, following their clans in the districts of Muong Cha, Nam Po, Tua Chua... The Xa Phang people in Dien Bien province still preserve many cultural values ​​of their people, including the unique features of traditional costumes and embroidered shoes expressed in each meticulously crafted motif and pattern. The Xa Phang people's embroidered shoe making profession is practiced and passed down within families and communities, not only to simply impart knowledge and professional skills, but also to contain profound humanistic messages about the positive, hard-working, patient and persistent lifestyle of the Xa Phang people. With its typical value, the Xa Phang people's embroidered shoe making profession was included in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism according to Decision No. 829/QD-BVHTTDL dated March 9, 2021.
Coming to Then Pa village, Sa Long commune, Muong Cha district, Dien Bien province, visitors can easily see the image of Xa Phang ethnic women diligently sewing costumes on the porch.
The Xa Phang people's costumes look simple at first glance.
...but when you look closely at each detail of the pattern and embroidery, you can see the sophistication and intricacy.
This is considered a traditional profession of the Xa Phang people in Then Pa village.
Not only the costumes, the shoes of the Xa Phang people are also equally elaborate.
The shoe sole is made of bamboo shoots and glued in multiple layers with glue made from crushed taro.
To complete a pair of embroidered shoes, Xa Phang women have to spend about 10-12 days.
The crafting and embroidery of colorful and unique patterns demonstrate the sophistication, skillful hands, and creative aesthetic thinking of Xa Phang women.
Each finished shoe becomes a work of art.
With its typical value, the Xa Phang people's embroidered shoe making profession was included in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism according to Decision No. 829/QD-BVHTTDL dated March 9, 2021.
Xa Phang people's shoes come in many types to distinguish gender, age and for daily use as well as in important events of life-cycle rituals.
With its unique values, Then Pa village increasingly attracts a large number of tourists to visit and learn about the traditional shoe embroidery craft.
Mr. Hang A Lu, Secretary of Sa Long Commune, Muong Cha District, Dien Bien Province, said: The locality has established embroidery groups to preserve and conserve this traditional embroidery method. At the same time, it has also developed them into tourist attractions to create sustainable livelihoods for local people.
Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/anh/di-san-van-hoa-nghe-theu-giay-tinh-hoa-van-hoa-cua-nguoi-xa-phang-686552.html