The art of traditional hand weaving, known as "dệt thổ cẩm," stands out as one of the most prominent cultural traditions among ethnic minorities. Weavers, akin to storytellers, narrate tales of identity, history, culture, and daily activities through diverse patterns of earthy textiles, each characterized by unique forms and colors. This diversity vividly portrays the cultural beauty of ethnic minorities, becoming a distinctive feature in their heritage. However, the forces of modernization and economic challenges have led to the loss of many practices required to sustain and preserve this characteristic craft, causing it to gradually fade into obscurity over time. This has resulted in a cultural gap among ethnic groups, where cultural understanding serves as the foundation for sustainable development in each nation. Similar cultural isolation occurs with many ethnic minorities worldwide, sharing the cultural beauty of traditional hand weaving. This is the driving force behind the establishment of Ethnicity Vietnam, with the aspiration to preserve, disseminate, and connect cultural values, contributing to the development of society and communities.

The project series "Chuyện người muôn năm cũ" (Story of innumerable years ago) is part of an initiative dedicated to archiving, preserving, and introducing the public to the traditional weaving practices of various local ethnicities. "Story of innumerable years ago" not only delves into the craft of weaving but also introduces the public to passionate weavers and the unique stories surrounding the textile pieces considered cultural artifacts.

b) Motivation for Project Execution:

Due to the influence of industrial products and the process of globalization, traditional weaving is at risk of fading away. This concern is shared not only by passionate individuals in the field but also by those dedicated to cultural preservation and ethnic cultural promotion. This realization serves as the driving force behind Ethnicity Vietnam's project, propelling them to explore, research, and preserve the beauty of this traditional art form.

During extensive research on weaving practices across various regions, Ethnicity Vietnam encountered Ms. Y NgLiu, a figure who became a tremendous source of inspiration for the project. Her stories became a powerful motivation for Ethnicity Vietnam, urging them to return to the region to fulfill the promise of documenting and conveying the narrative through the documentary film "Chuyện người muôn năm cũ."

In Ms. Y NgLiu's humble home, Ethnicity Vietnam discovered the "treasures" of the weaving craft through her stories, artifacts, and memories. Despite being over 80 years old, Ms. Y NgLiu remains agile and sharp. Within her lies emotionally charged memories of a time when weaving was not only a means of livelihood but also the primary source of income for families, with earthy textiles considered a form of currency. As she recounted the changes in the weaving profession and the value of traditional textiles, each memory unfolded like a slow-motion film reel. Driven by her profound appreciation for the traditional craft, Ms. Y NgLiu silently and meticulously tends to each step of the process, even with changes in materials to contemporary industrial fibers. Her words, resembling the beat of a drum, compelled Ethnicity Vietnam to return to this land promptly to fulfill a promise: to document and convey Ms. Y NgLiu's story through the film "Story of innumerable years ago"

The Ethnicity Vietnam project originated in 2018 and was selected as one of the 10 projects within the ASEAN bloc to be directly presented to former U.S. President Barack Obama.

In April 2019, Ethnicity Vietnam was sponsored by the ASEAN Foundation, and by August 2019, it officially became a member of the Social Innovation Warehouse. In

June 2019, Ethnicity Vietnam presented its work at the International Youth Forum of UNESCO in China.

In July 2019, Ethnicity Vietnam was introduced at the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee in Baku, Azerbaijan.

From 2018 to 2023, Ethnicity Vietnam established four digital libraries featuring patterns from 13 ethnic groups: K'Ho - Lâm Đồng; Mạ - Đồng Nai; Chăm - Ninh Thuận; Mường - Thanh Hóa; Pà Thẻn - Hà Giang; Cơ Tu - Quảng Nam; Bana, Brâu, Gia Rai, Giẻ Triêng, Xơ Đăng, Rơ Măm, H’Rê - KonTum. This includes 500 preserved patterns, 100 developmental patterns, 100 pattern applications, and 50 illustrative paintings depicting the ethnic way of life. From October 2023 to January 2024, Ethnicity Vietnam is conducting a research project on traditional textiles ("thổ cẩm") of six ethnic groups in Lạng Sơn, including Nùng, Tày, Dao, Sán Chay, H'mông, and Hoa. This includes a documentary on the traditional textiles of the Dao ethnic group in Lạng Sơn, covering Dao Đỏ, Dao Lù Đạng, Dao Lù Gang, and Dao Thanh Y.

Ethnicity Vietnam embarked on its journey by researching two ethnic communities, Mạ and K'Ho, in Lâm Đồng. These communities constitute 20% of the region's population. The distinctive identity of this land, coupled with the cultural, historical, and geographical values of the Mạ and K'Ho communities, served as inspiration for Ethnicity Vietnam in the research, preservation, storage, and development of traditional textiles and weaving.

Step 1 - Research:
The research team conducted on-site visits in Lâm Đồng, interacting with the K'Ho and Mạ ethnic minorities to gather information about traditional textile patterns (including their meanings and the stories behind them). Additionally, the team delved into the daily lives of the local people, with a particular focus on connecting with the younger generation, a potential target audience for the project.

Step 2 - Illustration and Development:
Ethnicity Vietnam digitally vectorized the collected traditional textile patterns, creating new designs based on these traditional motifs and expanding their applications in creative design. Simultaneously, they illustrated the daily lives, culture, and history of ethnic minorities through digital art.

Step 3 - Promotion and Application:
Ethnicity Vietnam promotes mutual cultural understanding through ethnic textile patterns, incorporating meaningful stories behind them. Creative digital works, including graphic designs and motion graphics videos, are disseminated through exhibitions and interactive activities. The application of these patterns extends to the creative industry through partnerships with communities and innovative businesses. The goal is to enhance cultural appreciation and bridge traditional patterns with contemporary creativity.