Brocade embroidery: Weaving cultural veins for community tourism

The brocade embroidery art of the Thanh Y Dao people in Quang Ninh is not only a traditional craft but also a strong expression of the cultural identity and aesthetic thinking of the nation. Over many generations, the embroidery craft is being restored, opening up the potential for developing cultural and community tourism .

The Dao Thanh Y women's costume is a combination of skillful hand embroidery techniques and sophisticated visual art. On the black indigo fabric, the colors red, yellow, white, and blue - symbolizing the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth) - are harmoniously combined, expressing a philosophy of living in harmony with nature.

Embroidery classes at the Thanh Y Dao Cultural Reserve (Bang Ca commune) create a unique experience for visitors.

Artisan Truong Thi Quy (Bang Ca commune, Ha Long city) shared: “Each motif such as fox net, birds, trees… is not only decorative but also contains a profound message about cosmology, philosophy of life, showing the connection between humans and mountains, forests, heaven and earth”.

For the Dao people, clothing is not only for wearing but also a way to express identity and gratitude to ancestors. During festivals and weddings, beautiful clothing is a testament to cultural preservation. However, embroidery has long been mainly passed down within the community and has not yet become a typical tourist product.

In recent years, some localities have proactively preserved traditional crafts in association with developing community tourism. In Bang Ca commune (Ha Long city), where many Dao Thanh Y people live, embroidery is an indispensable part of life. Artisans such as Ms. Truong Thi Quy and Ms. Truong Thi Dong regularly teach techniques to young people. The "community tourism group" with nearly 20 members, many of whom are both embroiderers and tour guides, has contributed to making embroidery a cultural product serving tourism.

The Dao Thanh Y Cultural Reserve in Bang Ca is gradually becoming an attractive destination, especially for international tourists and students participating in traditionaleducation tours. Activities such as embroidery art performances, experiential classes, brocade product display corners... create a unique attraction, spreading cultural values to the community.

faf — The space for experiencing and creating brocade patterns of the Dao Thanh Y people in Thuong Yen Cong commune (Uong Bi) has great attraction for tourists.

Another bright spot, in Thuong Yen Cong commune (Uong Bi city), the Dao community in Khe Su 2 village is also reviving the embroidery craft through embroidery and belt weaving groups. Artisan Truong Thi Bich is still diligently preserving and passing on the craft to the younger generation. Next to that, Ms. Truong Thi Thanh Huong's community tourism model recreates the traditional living space, where visitors can experience the embroidery craft, try on and take photos in ethnic costumes and create new patterns together.

Similarly, in the districts of Tien Yen, Binh Lieu, Ba Che, Dam Ha, etc., brocade embroidery groups have been formed. However, most of the products are still only for the community, lacking commercial value, and have not been systematically integrated into tourism activities. In that context, pioneering models such as those in Bang Ca and Khe Su are becoming “bright spots”, showing the potential to turn embroidery into a unique auxiliary tourism product.

Mr. Tran Dang An, Director of Halotour Tourism Company, commented: “In the context of community and experiential tourism becoming increasingly popular, itineraries that allow tourists to embroider by hand, listen to cultural stories, and transform into ethnic costumes will create a new and unique mark for Quang Ninh tourism.”

In fact, bringing traditional embroidery art into the community tourism model is bringing positive effects. From 2024 to now, the model in Thuong Yen Cong has welcomed about 100 visitors per week. The space for experiencing, displaying and selling handicraft products not only creates a highlight for the tour but also helps the participating people have a stable income of 5-6 million VND/month.

faf — International cruise ship tourists on a visit and experience to Bang Ca commune.

At the Dao Thanh Y cultural reserve in Bang Ca, hundreds of visitors, including many international groups on cruise tours, have come to visit. Many tourists enjoy dressing up in ethnic costumes, embroidering their own products and taking them home as souvenirs.

For sustainable development models, there needs to be policies to support, encourage, and promote community tourism, while connecting craft groups with tourism businesses. Bringing embroidery into experiential tours, investing in exhibition spaces, and expanding vocational training activities for young people will contribute to preserving and spreading the cultural values of Dao Thanh Y, while creating new attractions for community tourism destinations.

Ta Quan

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