The first-ever festival to honour the Vietnamese brocade culture will be held from December 27^rg to 30^th in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong.

The festival aims to underline the importance of the preservation and development of ethnic groups’ brocade in the process of global integration. (Photo: moit.gov.vn)

Themed 'Vietnamese Brocade Culture Festival in Dak Nong', the festival will have a wide range of cultural activities and art performances.

Brocade is traditionally made from cotton and flax yarn material found in the forest. Its patterns are dyed in natural colours.

The patterns on brocade fabric often reflect the traditions of ethnic groups. The brocade weaving tradition is preserved and inherited in each ethnic family by women.

In fact, most brocade products are fabricated by Mong locals, mostly skilful and meticulous craftspeople, in the northern mountainous provinces of Ha Giang and Lao Cai as well as others in the Central Highlands.

Handmade brocade products, both in the past and present, have been closely associated with the habits and customs of most of the Vietnamese ethnic groups. Brocade fabric, for example, serves as essentials or goods and is even used in marriages.

The festival will be held to preserve and promote traditional patterns and costumes of ethnic groups in general and in Dak Nong province in particular; introduce the traditional clothes and tourism potential in the province to visitors and international friends; promote socio-economic development and improve people’s enjoyment of culture; improve awareness of party committees and authorities and local people in the preservation and promotion of traditional patterns and costumes.

Visitors will get a chance to learn more about brocade made by different ethnic groups in Vietnam.

The festival will demonstrate brocade weaving to introduce visitors to the process.

A fashion show, including traditional and modern brocade designs, will be the highlight of the festival. High-quality brocade products will also be displayed for sale.

The festival will include folk games and art performances. Artistes and artisans from different ethnic groups will meet at the event for cultural exchange. They will perform traditional art forms introducing the history and culture of ethnic groups.

It is expected to be organised every two years in Gia Nghia town. The scale will be gradually extended, inviting more provinces and cities, and several countries in the world./.

VNF