The Fashion Design Department of Van Lang University supports sewing skills for the Ta Oi ethnic groups

Recently, a group of lecturers and students from Van Lang University visited the ancient capital of Hue to carry out a community project aimed at providing sewing skills for the Ta Oi ethnic groups at Quang Nham Zèng Cooperative, A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province. 

From February 21 to February 23, 2023, the Fashion Design Department of the Faculty of Arts and Design at Van Lang University cooperated with Zeng Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd. to implement the community project "Supporting sewing skills for Ta Oi people" for the Ta Oi community at Quang Nham Zèng Cooperative, A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province.

The project has the participation of MSc. Artist Phan Quan Dung - Head of Faculty of Arts and Design at Van Lang University, MSc. Le Thi Thanh Nhan - Head of Fashion Design, MSc. Nguyen Vu Cam Ly, Mr. Pham Minh Tam - a lecturer in Fashion Design; Mr. Chong A Va - Deputy Director of Zeng Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd; the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts, Hue City Sub-Institute; Representatives of Quang Nham Zèng Cooperative, Zèng Cooperative, Quang Nham commune and A Luoi district of Thua Thien Hue province; as well as a group of Fashion Design students.  

At the opening event held on the morning of February 21, 2023, MSc. Artist Phan Quan Dung - Head of the Faculty of Arts and Design at Van Lang University, shared: "Community projects contribute important values in demonstrating the social responsibility of the Faculty of Arts and Design in particular as well as Van Lang University in general, while also promoting the development of the community and improving the quality of life for people at the project site".

Over the past 5 years, the Fashion Design major has organized annual field trips, giving students the opportunity to learn about the cultures, costumes, and ancient patterns of the Ta Oi ethnic group’s Zèng. As part of the trip, the faculty and students have collaborated to organize a workshop aimed at promoting hospitality and bringing positive values to the community. The workshop involves applying Zèng to new products while also preserve and develop Dzèng weaving.

Nguyen Thi Lua, a 3rd year student of Fashion Design, shared: "Through Zèng, we have a better understanding of the cultural beauty and traditional clothing of the Ta Oi people living here. The knowledge I have gained during this trip is also a useful resource for my studies at school and future work".

As part of the program, Van Lang University has collaborated with Zeng Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd. to donate 10 sewing machines and 2 overlock machines, valued at 40 million VND, along with a team of technicians to guide the Ta Oi community on how to use the machines. Additionally, lecturers and students of the Fashion Design Deparment at Van Lang University have donated 12 sets of sewing tools and provided instructions to members of the two cooperatives on sewing techniques.

A Luoi mountainous district, located in Thua Thien Hue province, is the cradle of Zèng weaving, a long-standing traditional brocade weaving village of the Ta Oi people. The Zèng fabrics, meticulously hand-woven by local craftspeople, not only showcase their exceptional weaving talent but also embody the inner, spiritual, and aesthetic values of the Ta Oi community. In addition to being used in costumes or as a valuable exchange item, Dzèng fabrics also play a significant role in traditional Ta Oi rituals, such as the Zèng worshipping ceremony, the engagement ceremony, etc. In 2016, Dzèng weaving in A Luoi was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

News and images: Faculty of Arts and Design