The 'thread' that keeps the soul of the Black Thai costumes in Vang Cuom village

That is Vi Thi Vieng, a seamstress born in 1991, who chose her own path: to stay, preserve the soul of the Black Thai costume and sow that love for the next generation.

‘Sợi chỉ’ giữ hồn trang phục người Thái đen ở bản Văng Cuộm - Ảnh 1. — The Goat Tailor Vi Thi Vieng

Born from her love for the traditional Thai costumes, Vieng studied tailoring in town, then returned to open a small shop at home. The first orders were few, but she persistently sewed each stitch, gradually becoming a trusted address for women in the commune and neighboring communes. The dresses, scarves, and shirts made by Vieng are not only costumes, but also the cultural soul of the nation, which she cherishes and preserves.

Not only herself, Vieng also passed on that love to her daughter. In the evening, by the lamplight, she meticulously taught her daughter how to cut fabric, sew buttons, hold scissors, and place needles. For Vieng, teaching her daughter is not only to have a job to support herself, but more importantly, to help her daughter be proud, preserve, and continue the traditional beauty of the Yen Tinh Black Thai people.

‘Sợi chỉ’ giữ hồn trang phục người Thái đen ở bản Văng Cuộm - Ảnh 2. — Vieng is teaching his daughter to sew buttons on her blouse.

Not stopping at sewing, Vieng and her husband also do many jobs to stabilize their lives. From growing acacia, selling acacia seeds to supply to the people, to learning the craft of making curtains and nets - their products have followed people to remote villages from Huu Khuong, Bao Thang, Xop Chao... Now, her family is also a reputable furniture dealer for a large facility in the province, providing beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs, curtains to many families, especially those who work far away and want to take care of their countryside home.

Busy with earning a living, Vieng has never been absent from the collective movements of the village. She is an active member of the Farmers' Association, a member of the Vang Cuom Village Folk Song and Dance Club, and has received a certificate of merit from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the commune for her contributions to building the movement.

Notably, in July 2025, when the people of the old town of Thach Giam suffered heavy losses in storm No. 3, Vieng temporarily put aside all business activities and, together with her husband, formed a group of 16 people, bringing sticky rice, grilled meat, and salad to help the people. Not only providing food, they also rolled up their sleeves to rake mud, do laundry, and carry things all day, contributing to alleviating the losses of people in the flood-affected areas. In addition, she was always one of the first to participate in donating and supporting difficult circumstances in the area.

‘Sợi chỉ’ giữ hồn trang phục người Thái đen ở bản Văng Cuộm - Ảnh 3.

‘Sợi chỉ’ giữ hồn trang phục người Thái đen ở bản Văng Cuộm - Ảnh 4.

Vieng's relief team (white hat) and friends help people after storm number 3

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

At the age of 34, Vieng has affirmed the mettle of a Thai ethnic woman: daring to be different to keep what she loves, daring to cling to her homeland with skillful hands and perseverance. Not only is she good at economics , she also contributes to preserving culture, building the community and spreading the spirit of sharing.

Every night, in the small house in Yen Tinh village, the sound of Vieng’s sewing machine still resounds steadily, blending with her gentle voice as she patiently guides her daughter through each needle stitch and each fabric cut. That image is like a continuation - from the mother’s hands, the love for black Thai dresses will gradually seep into the child’s hands, becoming a lasting, continuous flow.

Vi Thi Vieng is not only sewing dresses and shirts, but also "weaving" pride, so that in the future when mentioning Thai ethnic costumes in Yen Tinh, people will remember those who have chosen to live beautifully by preserving the cultural soul of the village. And from Vieng, it is hoped that there will be many other young people who dare to stay, dare to follow - so that the traditional thread will never be broken in the flow of time.