Deng weaving is a unique traditional craft of Ta Oi, Pa Ko and Van Kieu people in A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province. Its products are not only used daily, but also considered as artworks showing the unique features of national culture.
For Deng weaving, a kind of cotton plant grown by locals is used. This raw material is then gone through a number of steps like drying, seed removing, spinning and so on. Locals then used leaves, tree bark, tuber and root found in the forest to dye cotton yarns. Black, red and white are three main colors. Unlike brocades found in other parts of Vietnam, decorative patterns on Deng brocade are made up by adding beads and inspired by animal, plant, nature and objects.
Deng weaving’s products have been introduced to domestic and foreign visitors on trade fairs, exhibitions, and particularly, fashion shows held on Hue Traditional Crafts Festival. It is introduced in Japan, France by fashion designer Minh Hanh. Deng brocade has also became the material for making shoes, handbag, wallet, hat, etc, which proves the diverse application of the traditional craft.
Over hundreds years, locals has maintained, passed down Deng weaving craft and created colorful Deng products. The decorative patterns, Deng weaving and bead-adding technique of Ta Oi ethnic minority group were recognized as national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism and is now known globe-wide. The fact that Deng weaving is recognized as a province-level traditional craft makes contribution to cultural conservation, ensuring politic, national defense and security in border area.