Hà Nhì
The Hà Nhì are one of Vietnam's official 54 ethnic groups. Their origins are not precisely known, though their ancestors are believed to have migrated southward from the Tibetan plateau.
Their culture is still very strong with most Hà Nhì living in thick walled mud houses, often with rice stalk thatched roofs.
There are a number of subgroups with the Black Hà Nhì living in Bát Xát District of Lao Cai Province. Traditional clothing is made with dark blue cotton fabric dyed with indigo. Small details are embroidered into the neckline and the jackets are often adorned with simple, yet stylish features. More recently, machine made Chinese fabrics have become commonplace with women finishing pieces with fastenings and embroidered details.
Perhaps the most exquisite feature of the traditional costume is a special headdress worn on ceremonious occasions. Thick indigo dyed cotton threads are woven with real human hair to create a crown. On top of this is placed an intricately designed, brightly embroidered panel which is then covered with simple blue cotton.
With a population of 22,000, the Ha Nhi are focused in both Lao Cai and Lai Chao provinces and are one of Vietnam's smaller minority groups.
Their culture is still very strong with most Hà Nhì living in thick walled mud houses, often with rice stalk thatched roofs.
There are a number of subgroups with the Black Hà Nhì living in Bát Xát District of Lao Cai Province. Traditional clothing is made with dark blue cotton fabric dyed with indigo. Small details are embroidered into the neckline and the jackets are often adorned with simple, yet stylish features. More recently, machine made Chinese fabrics have become commonplace with women finishing pieces with fastenings and embroidered details.
Perhaps the most exquisite feature of the traditional costume is a special headdress worn on ceremonious occasions. Thick indigo dyed cotton threads are woven with real human hair to create a crown. On top of this is placed an intricately designed, brightly embroidered panel which is then covered with simple blue cotton.
With a population of 22,000, the Ha Nhi are focused in both Lao Cai and Lai Chao provinces and are one of Vietnam's smaller minority groups.