The Tủ Cải or cấp sắc is a significant ritual where a Dao man’s second, spiritual name is formally presented to ancestors and deities. In Dao beliefs, one’s real name should not be used during ancestral rituals, making this rite a crucial aspect of their cultural identity. The cấp sắc ceremony marks the transition of a Dao man into adulthood. Without it, a man remains a child in the eyes of the community, unable to participate in communal affairs, marry, or assume family responsibilities.

The cấp sắc ceremony is not tied to a specific age, typically taking place between the ages of 10 and 14, depending on the family's decision. The date of the ceremony is carefully selected by village shamans, ensuring its auspicious timing.

Lasting at least three days, the length of the ceremony varies based on the family's financial means. The scale of the event is determined by its duration, the number of shamans involved, and the level of the ritual, such as the three, seven, or twelve-lamp maturity ceremony.

During the ritual, the shaman conducts various ceremonies, including the lighting of lamps, the bestowal of warrior spirits, and the naming ritual. The lamp lighting ceremony holds particular importance, as it is believed to ward off evil and bring good fortune to the young man entering adulthood. The naming and incense offering rituals further solidify the man’s coming of age.

Upon completing the cấp sắc ritual, the man is officially recognised as an adult, gaining a voice in the community and assuming the responsibility to support his family.

Despite societal changes, the cấp sắc ritual has remained largely unchanged, although its duration has been shortened in recent years. In larger families, the ritual may be performed for multiple members simultaneously, allowing for cost savings while still preserving the unique cultural values of the Dao people.

The Dao are one of nineteen ethnic groups residing in Điện Biên Province, predominantly in the districts of Tủa Chùa, Nậm Pồ, and Mường Nhé. In Tủa Chùa District, Huổi Só Commune is considered the stronghold of the Dao Quần Chẹt group, where Dao people constitute nearly 80 per cent of the population, spread across six of.