CULTURE-SPORTS-TOURISM

Through the ups and downs of Vietnam’s history, the Ao Dai ( long dress) has accompanied the country on its development journey, become a living witness to its history, contributed to its golden dust of culture, lifestyle, and distinct identity. It has crystallized into a beauty that no other fashion outfit can compare.

“Could you slow down please! Oh my gosh, it’s so beautiful!”. The videographer shouted loudly on the loudspeaker to ask the Vietnamese group in Ao Dai, to slow down to get a good scenes. The graceful, colorful, and decorative patterned Ao Dai made the procession suddenly shine like a flock of butterflies fluttering in a forest of flowers. Thus, on the recent weekends, Hanoi’s weather turned cold but dry, creating favorable conditions for people and tourists to walk, have fun, and participate in many activities at the 2022 Ha Noi Tourism Ao Dai Festival taking place at a walking space in Hoan Kiem lake area and surrounding area. The Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival 2022 had the participation of professional and amateur models, foreign diplomats from embassies and international organizations in the capital. Its success has continued to write the story of the love of Ao Dai and the journey to bring the Ao Dai to tourism, becoming the “Tourism Ambassador” of Hanoi and the whole country.

I have one more story to share. More than a decade ago, an American couple who was a partner of the The Gioi Publishing House loved Vietnam so much that every National Day of Vietnam, the wife would make fried spring rolls and some Vietnamese dishes by herself, wear Vietnamese Ao Dai that was sewn in Hanoi, and invite familiar Vietnamese students to their home to celebrate. Unfortunately, she had a stroke and passed away forever. However, every time her husband came to visit us, he still recalled this wonderful memory.

Our international friends have searched many times to buy dolls shaped like Vietnamese women wearing Ao Dai and Non La (conical palm- leaf hat). Many people also ask us for information about Vietnamese Ao Dai tailors. It can be said that the Vietnamese Ao Dai has become a sign to recognize the Vietnamese identity. Cuisine, costumes, architecture, music, behavior, thinking habits, etc. all contribute to building a Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity.

In fact, before the appearance of Ao Dai, Vietnamese both men and women often wore Giao Linh dress (a traditional vibrant cross-collared robe). From 1744, Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat issued a decree forcing the people of Dang Trong (the South region of Vietnam under the rule of the Nguyen lords) to wear the right button-down Ao Dai. Later, King Minh Mang of the Nguyen Dynasty also issued a decree regulating the wearing of other costume for the whole of Vietnam. That is the Ao Ngu Than (5 flaps), the ancestor of Ao Dai (2 flaps). It got its name because of an ancient fabric that was woven by hand, so it was not wide. People sew 2 pieces of fabric together to create a flap and add a piece (1/2 flap) on the side to have the place to button the right hand and spread out to cover the body when the person wearing the outfit is sitting. At first, the Ao Ngu Than was quite loose. In the 1930s, painter Cat Tuong modified the outfit from five flaps to two flaps with a tighter body, higher armpit slit, and slimmer neck. These changes have enhanced the inherent physical beauty of women. In addition, this innovative Ao Dai has the great advantage of covering up the defects (if any) of the body. It makes women when wearing it bright, beautiful, youthful and luxurious. That is probably the reason why it has created invisible strength for Vietnamese women to conquer the hearts of international friends. The Ao Dai represents Vietnam, just like the Japanese Kimono or the Korean Hanbok.

In recent years, the movement to promote national traditions has revived good cultural heritages, including the Ao Ngu Than for men. This style of outfit is also often worn in formal situations. It was initially restored and modified to suit modern life. Our country’s ambassadors such as Pham Sanh Chau, Tran Van An, Dinh Toan Thang, etc. made a strong impression because they wore this costume instead of the familiar suit when presenting their credentials to the supreme leader of the host country. We think that during traditional holidays or solemn ceremonies with the presence of foreigners, if Vietnamese men also wear this “national costume”, it will create a great impression for foreign guests. Vietnamese traditional costumes are the creation of numerous artists, artisans, designers and tailors. It is a precious cultural heritage of our nation that we should exploit, turn it into a soft power to promote Vietnamese culture, contribute to building the image of Vietnam that is both modern and traditional.

                                                                                   Tran Lam

Admin English