Noọng Dẻ resounds with the sound of weaving looms.

(Baonghean)"From ancient times to the present day, brocade weaving has been a traditional craft in Noọng Dẻ. Each family weaves their own shirts, scarves, blankets, etc., for their own use. Brocade weaving also helps daughters learn a trade before getting married. In recent years, people from the lowlands have come all the way to the village to place orders, and the people of Noọng Dẻ are very happy!" shared Mrs. Lo Mẹ Mi from the brocade weaving village of Noọng Dẻ, Nậm Cắn commune (Kỳ Sơn district)...

Mế Lo Mẹ Mi from Noọng Dẻ village, by the loom.

From Muong Xen town, heading up to Nam Can, it's a smooth, paved road, only a few dozen minutes by motorbike. The village of Noong De, with houses clustered together on both sides of National Highway 7, is always bustling with people coming and going. Here, every house has at least two looms. Watching Mrs. Mi's thin hands smooth the fabric on the loom, one realizes that the craft of weaving brocade requires not only diligence but also skillful hands. Mrs. Mi, now over 65 years old, sits at her loom weaving brocade every day. "In the old days, the people of Noọng Dẻ had to go down to Mường Xén market to buy materials for weaving scarves and skirts. They had to walk until their legs ached, the path was winding and steep, with many large and small rocks scattered about. No one dared to ride a motorbike for fear of falling into the deep ravine. Yet, because they loved weaving, every household went. To buy materials and return home early, they had to wake up before sunrise, and by the time they got home, the sun had long since set. Everyone was excited to buy the materials. In those days, weaving brocade was for family use, unlike now where weaving is paid per piece. Every few months, the people would go down to the market to buy materials, and while they were at it, they would buy some household items like salt, oil, and fish sauce... Everyone would fill their baskets to the brim."

The most important aspect remains the clothing worn during holidays, festivals, and celebrations. For festivals, the scarves and dresses are woven much more elaborately, from the colors and color combinations to the overall design – everything must be beautiful and vibrant. Even the scarves and belts must harmonize with the outfit. It's very meticulous. Everyday clothing must also adhere to the traditional colors and color palette used by their mothers and grandmothers, with black, blue, and red being the dominant colors. Over time, people traveling along National Highway 7 to Nậm Cắn commune saw the traditional clothing worn by the Noọng Dẻ people. Some villagers started selling these at local markets, and people came to inquire about buying them. Gradually, the villagers began weaving their own clothing to sell.

"Weaving takes place during the off-season, mostly while people are still working in the fields, until someone in the village takes on the work for the villagers to weave. The already bustling Noọng Dẻ village has become even more lively since then." "How long does it take to weave a scarf, Grandma?" "One person can weave almost three scarves a day working continuously. But it's not like they work continuously every day. The villagers also go to the fields and farms... They try to weave for a few hours each day. On delivery days, they sometimes weave until 10 or 11 at night before resting. During the planting season, the men go to the fields so that the women and girls can stay home and weave in time for delivery." "Weaving also provides a monthly income of 1.5 to 2 million VND per person." In Noọng Dẻ village, Ms. Mi is the head of the Women's Association, representing the villagers in coordinating with companies in Hanoi and Vinh for goods delivery and collection. Every month, Ms. Mi brings raw materials to the villagers, sets a date for collecting the finished products, and the villagers only have to weave, without having to worry about sales or traveling to the district market to buy materials as before. The villagers are very happy."

Each person takes on a different task: some weave scarves, others dresses and blouses, some blankets and pillows... everyone is happy because they get to do what they like and love, and they also earn extra income. In Noọng Dẻ village, there are over 400 looms in the more than 200 households. Some families own three looms for weaving brocade. Mế Cụt Mẹ Văn said: "The oldest of my two looms is over 60 years old; that's my mother-in-law's loom. This one is also 30 years old. When I got married, my mother-in-law gave me this loom. My daughters and daughters-in-law are also very good weavers. Some months my family earns over 4 million dong in wages. The villagers are very happy..." Mế Văn said, gently moving her feet and hands across the loom as she spoke.

The traditional brocade weaving craft in Noọng Dẻ village has become a symbol of the cultural beauty of the ethnic minority communities, while also contributing to poverty alleviation for the local people.

Thu Huong