Ao Dai in Wartime: When Beauty Goes With Patriotism

NDO - At the exhibition “Vietnamese women’s ao dai through the flames of war”, viewers can experience the journey of the ao dai accompanying Vietnamese women. In the context of war, the ao dai went beyond the framework of a costume, becoming a symbol of patriotism and spiritual strength of Vietnamese women.

The Ao Dai has long been recognized as an indispensable part of Vietnamese cultural life. Associated with graceful, discreet and feminine beauty, this costume is also a vivid testament to the changes of Vietnamese society through the ages.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), Hanoi Museum organizes a thematic exhibition "Vietnamese Women's Ao Dai Through the Fire of War".

The exhibition officially opened on the morning of April 12 at the Hanoi Museum, with more than 100 images, documents and artifacts associated with the resistance war on display, reflecting the role and image of Vietnamese women during the war with the ao dai.

The exhibition aims not only to honor the cultural value of the ao dai, but also to broaden the perspective on the role of women in revolutionary movements. Through photos, letters, personal artifacts or war relics, the public can clearly see the journey that the ao dai has accompanied Vietnamese women.

Vietnamese women in ao dai through historical periods.

The exhibition space is divided into thematic groups corresponding to each historical period. Each display area highlights a slice of women's activities during the war, from street protests to social work.

The exhibition displays many typical artifacts associated with the images of heroic women during the war, such as artifacts of martyrs Dang Thuy Tram, Duong Thi Quy... along with volunteer applications, handwritten letters from the battlefield and souvenirs bearing the personal and historical imprints of the martyrs. All contribute to deeply portraying the role and indomitable spirit of Vietnamese women during the fire of war.

Images and documents about the ao dai of Vietnamese women during wartime are displayed at the exhibition.

In addition to artifacts and documentary images, the exhibition also tells touching stories about Vietnamese women during wartime. Among them is the story of Ms. Nguyen Thi Phi Van. She participated in the youth and student movement in the Saigon-Gia Dinh area since 1960 with the mission of distributing leaflets to build a base for young people to join the revolution. The outfit she often used to carry out her mission was the Vietnamese ao dai.

Speaking about the exhibition, Mr. Dang Van Bieu, Deputy Director of Hanoi Museum, said that through the images and artifacts introduced, the organizers hope that the younger generation will have the opportunity to show gratitude, recall and better understand the silent sacrifices of Vietnamese women during the war.

Mr. Bieu emphasized: “The exhibition is a journey for us to look back at the touching images of the Ao Dai, the symbol of Vietnamese women through the difficult years. This is not only an art space but also a place for today’s young generation to pay tribute, recall, remember and be proud of the noble sacrifices of the national heroic women.”

The exhibition attracted the attention of a large public, including many guests who were artisans, cultural researchers... and many young people.

Sharing about the exhibition, Dr. and artisan Nguyen Duc Hien said: “The image of the Ao Dai over the years, especially during the war, has great significance and preserves the soul of the Vietnamese people. This is also an opportunity for young people to be proud of our ancestors, who have spent many years to preserve the country’s independence and peace as it is today.”

Dr. and artisan Nguyen Duc Hien believes that the exhibition not only evokes historical memories but also serves as a bridge between generations, helping young people understand and be more proud of national traditions.

Bui Thi Thu Huong, 20 years old, a student at the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts (Hanoi National University) said: “I learned about the exhibition through the Hanoi Museum’s website. Through this exhibition, I learned a lot about the ao dai through historical periods as well as the struggles of Vietnamese women. These things make me feel very proud and grateful for the contributions of previous generations and I hope that there will be more similar events organized.”

The exhibition “Vietnamese women’s ao dai through the flames of war” is not only an opportunity to honor the beauty of the ao dai but also a journey back in history, helping the public - especially the younger generation - better understand the role, contributions and resilient spirit of Vietnamese women during the war.

The event is open from April 12 to May 4 at Hanoi Museum.

Topic: 50 years of National Reunification

Ao Dai in Wartime: When Beauty Goes With Patriotism

Meeting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day

Celebrating 50 years since Division 341 entered the battlefield

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ao-dai-thoi-chien-khi-ve-dep-di-cung-long-yeu-nuoc-post872002.html