Preserving the Dao Lo Gang culture in Na Ba hamlet

Members of the Women preserving the cultural identity of the Dao Lo Gang in Na Ba hamlet. (Photo: Thai Nguyen Newspaper)

On the launch day of the "Women preserving the cultural identity of the Dao Lo Gang in Na Ba hamlet" club in mid-August 2025, Ms. Trieu Thi Binh, the club's chairwoman, along with nearly 60 members, donned traditional costumes and arrived early at the People's Committee Hall of Dan Tien commune.

There was a sense of joy as they are the ones striving daily to preserve their ethnic cultural identity, hoping that these cultural traits will endure over time.

From a cultural model...

Na Ba hamlet, Dan Tien commune, is home to a 100% Dao Lo Gang population. Traditional cultural values such as hand-embroidered costumes, language, ancient script, the Cap Sac ceremony, Pao Dung singing, and wedding and festival customs are cherished and preserved by the Dao community here.

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However, amidst the wave of integration and the strong impact of technology, many cultural beauties are gradually fading. Recognizing this, the Women's Union of Dan Tien commune proactively revived and promoted the ethnic cultural club model.

Before the merger of the three communes Binh Long, Phuong Giao, and Dan Tien, the locality had an effective Dao Lo Gang cultural preservation club with over 20 members.

After the merger, to adapt to new conditions, the Union continued to mobilize the establishment of a new club in Na Ba Hamlet, with the participation of nearly 60 women members who are directly involved in practicing and teaching traditional culture.

In a conversation with us about preserving the Dao Lo Gang identity, Ms. Pham Thi Nhi, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Dan Tien commune, stated: Women are crucial in preserving ethnic identity.

They are the ones who directly sew traditional costumes, teach their children the language, script, folk songs, and maintain household traditions. Therefore, establishing the "Women preserving the cultural identity of the Dao Lo Gang in Na Ba hamlet" club is our way to concretize the role, responsibility, and pride of Dao women in today's life.

The club is expected to become a model not only for preserving traditional cultural values but also for effectively implementing the movement "Building new era Vietnamese women: Confident, self-respecting, kind, and capable". Through regular activities, members share experiences in sewing costumes, learning the Dao Nom script, practicing folk singing, and jointly preserving good customs.

Pausing for a moment, Ms. Nhi shared: "Having learned from some localities, I realized that preserving cultural identity alongside reasonably exploiting traditional values will help create new livelihoods for local women.

Therefore, we hope that by restoring and promoting Dao Lo Gang costumes, cuisine, and folk melodies, Na Ba Hamlet will become a community tourism destination. In this way, women can not only preserve culture but also increase their income and improve family life through cultural values".

... to spreading ethnic identity

The Executive Board on the club's launch day. (Photo: Thai Nguyen Newspaper)

To date, information about the club's activities has spread across social media platforms like Facebook, Zalo, and TikTok, featuring videos and images introducing Dao costumes, guiding traditional embroidery, or sharing stories about the Cap Sac ceremony and wedding customs.

Club Chairwoman, Ms. Trieu Thi Binh, enthusiastically shared: We utilize social media to introduce Dao Lo Gang culture to everyone. When friends from other places admire our traditional costumes, I feel very proud and motivated to learn embroidery, folk singing, and actively promote and encourage other women to join. Currently, the club includes women aged 70–80 who are still actively participating.

Now, the club's activities extend beyond women members and influence the community. Mr. Trieu Van Sinh, a resident of Na Ba hamlet, expressed: We are delighted that the younger generation, especially women, are interested in learning about our ethnic culture.

Previously, many people no longer knew how to sing Pao Dung or read the Dao Nom script, but now, thanks to the Women's Union classes, many girls have learned to embroider costumes, sing folk songs, and confidently perform at festivals.

Not only stopping at preservation, the "Women preserving the cultural identity of the Dao Lo Gang" club also serves as a community connection forum, helping women support each other in production, child-rearing, and building happy families. Through meetings, Dao Lo Gang women share economic experiences, maintain a civilized lifestyle, and unite to overcome difficulties.

In the current context, preserving cultural identity is not only a community responsibility but also a driving force for sustainable development. The "Women preserving the cultural identity of the Dao Lo Gang" club in Na Ba hamlet was established to affirm the pioneering role of women in heritage preservation.

Through these specific and practical efforts, the Dao Lo Gang women in Dan Tien are contributing daily to enriching Vietnam's cultural tapestry.

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