Vietnamese Women's Museum Collection Highlights
Uncover ten remarkable artifacts that inspire remembrance, exploration, learning and emotional connection.
Red Yao bride's costume (2006) by Lo Ta MayVietnamese Women's Museum
A Red Yao Bride's Wedding Costume
After an engagement arranged by a mediator, a *Red Yao* bride traditionally crafts her own wedding costume. This piece was handmade using cotton thread, beads, and silver coins gifted by her mother-in-law, symbolizing her transition from Ho Village to a new home with her husband’s family.
Necklaces and bracelets (1989) by Mua Y DiaVietnamese Women's Museum
Necklaces and bracelets for the request of a child
After the loss of her first child, a woman sought out a local spiritual practitioner to undergo a traditional fertility rite. During the ritual, sacred necklaces and bracelets were utilized as symbolic talismans, embodying her hope for rebirth and the restoration of a whole fami
Bottle lamp of nun Dam Duyen (1954) by Nun Dam DuyenVietnamese Women's Museum
Nun Đàm Duyên’s Bottle Lamp
This handmade bottle lamp was a constant companion for Nun Đàm Duyên during her 1954 supply missions from Thanh Hoa to Tay Bac. Its design ensured a steady flame despite the severe weather encountered on the road.
A Pipe of Mrs. Kan Lich (1964) by Kan LichVietnamese Women's Museum
A Pipe of Mrs. Kan Lịch
At 18, a Pa-ko woman from Thua Thien Hue commanded a female guerrilla unit and served as Deputy Commander of A Luoi District. A decorated warrior with 49 battles and 150 enemies neutralized, she famously shot down a U.S. Dakota aircraft. Meeting President Ho Chi Minh seven times.
A Clothesline of Braided Hair
Imprisoned in a *tiger cage* at Côn Đảo in 1970, survived extreme conditions and restricted hygiene. In these cramped quarters, every resource was repurposed for survival. She braided her own hair to create a clothesline for her cell, transforming a part of herself into a tool for daily life and resilience.
Flower Vase (1968) by Nguyen Thi Thuong's friendVietnamese Women's Museum
A Flower Vase Born of War
While serving in the *Đông Phương Hồng* militia, a woman received this vase made from a 57mm shell. Engraved with 32 names, the gift became a lifelong keepsake after her group dispersed in 1975.
Ta-Oi Women's Skirt (1984) by Kan CuongVietnamese Women's Museum
A Legacy of Tà-ôi Weaving
This skirt was meticulously crafted on a backstrap loom using threads stretched by the weaver's own body. It takes three months to complete. Adorned with her mother’s beads, it was used for 25 years in sacred rituals to honor her community's traditions.
Copper Bracelet (1970) by Ta Rât BhươVietnamese Women's Museum
The Spiral Bracelet of the *Cơ Tu*
This spiral bracelet, a gift from a father to his child, is imbued with spiritual power. Coils were traditionally removed to mark healing or for trade—a single bracelet was once worth two buffaloes.
The Legacy of the Lime Pot
In many Vietnamese households, a lime pot was a cherished symbol of wealth and longevity. The spout, formed by decades of lime buildup, acted as a visual indicator of the family’s status. As a vessel of luck, the pot was handled with extreme caution, adhering to a cultural taboo against breaking such a significant heirloom.
Rice harvesting knife (1989) by Loc Thi ChinhVietnamese Women's Museum
A Husband’s Handmade Rice Knife
Made as a gift from a husband, this rice knife supported 20 years of harvests. It is a symbol of the manual precision required in Thai agriculture, where every stem is carefully cut and carried home.
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