Close-up of Thai women dyeing fabric fibers from forest plants in Nghe An

Many women in the mountainous areas of Nghe An still wear traditional everyday clothing. Skirts, shirts, headscarves, belts, and sashes create a diverse dress pattern for the community of more than 1 million people here. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

While many places use industrial fabrics to cut, sew and embroider brocade patterns, there are also villages and hamlets that still maintain the method of dyeing fabrics with materials taken from forest leaves and grown in home gardens. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

In addition to materials from leaves and dyes such as ochre and cochineal, some forest roots are also used to create colors. Even fabric dyers in Hoa Tien craft village, Chau Tien commune (Quy Chau - Nghe An) use coffee leaves and dried tea leaves to make dyes. Photo: Huu Vi

A type of forest plant called "co phang" is used to create red dye. Photo: Huu Vi

A group of weavers are discussing choosing the right color for a new design. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Dyeing fabric requires meticulousness in dyeing, so it is necessary to practice from a young age. In the photo is a dye vat made from indigo leaves and other leaves to give the fabric a characteristic green color that lasts a long time. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Ms. Sam Thi Bich, a famous brocade craftsman in Hoa Tien craft village, shared that following the principles in choosing leaves for dyeing is important to create beautiful rolls of thread for weaving. Photo: Huu Vi

After dyeing, the yarn is dried and then rolled into rolls to weave beautiful, colorful fabrics. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

To have colorfast fabrics, it requires skillful, patient workers who can accumulate experience over time. Photo: Huu Vi

Thai women are always proud of their brocade weaving craft with the variety of colors created by the skillful hands of dyers and weavers. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

With their talent, Thai women bring the world of birds, animals, flowers, the moon and the sun onto carefully dyed fabrics to create beautiful costumes. Photo: Huu Vi