Indigo cloth with a white bird pattern drying over a bamboo pole
Journal · Travel · Sapa, Vietnam

Indigo

Indigo. A cultural significance for the H’Mông tribe deep in the rice fields of Sapa, Vietnam. Walking around town, it is easy to spot the many women wearing homemade garments with a deep cobalt hue. Spending time in the local communities allowed me to see first hand the process from start to finish as leaves were transformed into traditional garments.

Wooden barrel of indigo leaves fermenting in blue liquid
Plants fermenting in a liquid mixture extracting the hue.
Sack of crushed indigo powder leaning against a block wall
Dried leaves are crushed into a fine blue powder.
Hand stirring a small pot of dye over hot coals
The powder is then melted, creating a dye to be applied to the hemp based fabric.
H'Mông woman drawing designs onto white fabric
Hand drawn designs.
Finished indigo cloth with a white bird pattern hanging from a pole
The final result.