Ao Dai on Heritage Road: A journey connecting Vietnamese culture in the heart of New York

In the ancient campus of Columbia University (New York, USA), which is considered the world's leading intellectual center, the appearance of more than two hundred Vietnamese Ao Dai was not only a fashion show, but also a meeting between traditional Vietnamese cultural values. The event named "Journey Connecting Heritages - Ao Dai on the Heritage Road" by designer Minh Hanh in collaboration with the Center for Research and Education specializing in East Asia at Columbia University is part of a series of activities to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States.

The five collections in the program, from lotus flowers, Bao Loc silk, Zeng brocade, Kim Son sedge, to paintings by artists such as Dinh Cuong and Be Ky, not only demonstrate fashion techniques but also suggest how art can become a bridge between the nation and humanity.

Mr. Huynh Tan Phuoc, a silk artisan from Bao Loc, is considered one of the longest-serving silk artisans in this highland region. Having been working with the loom for nearly 40 years, he still personally checks each silk thread and each batch of dye. "I have brought Vietnamese silk to many catwalks in Europe and Asia, but in New York - in the middle of an old university campus like Columbia, I feel a different feeling. Here, silk is not only seen as fashion, but also as part of a cultural story. Students here do not ask how much silk costs, but ask how to get that light color. And I understand: heritage does not need to be loudly promoted, just be genuine, it will find its own kindred spirits."

Artisan Ho Thi Hop, a Ta Oi ethnic (A Luoi, Hue ), has been attached to the Zeng weaving loom for more than half a century.

Conical hats from Chuong village and Kim Son sedge also appear as vivid evidence of the enduring vitality of Vietnamese culture.

Designer Minh Hanh, the pioneer in bringing Ao Dai to the world through Ao Dai and painting projects, has introduced hundreds of Ao Dai designs inspired by Vietnamese heritage in Rome, Milan, Paris, Moscow, etc. Each of her trips is a step in opening cultural borders through the language of fashion.

This time, at Columbia University - New York, she continued to affirm her creative philosophy: Ao Dai is not just for wearing, but for "breathing", for "telling stories", for reflecting the beauty of the Vietnamese soul in global life. "Ao Dai is still the identity for people to recognize Vietnam in the modern world. When you wear the image of a painting by Dinh Cuong or Be Ky, you are not only wearing silk, but also carrying history, painting, and heritage moving in the heart of New York", designer Minh Hanh shared.

What makes "Journey Connecting Heritages" unique is the appearance of special models, mostly Columbia University students, from many different countries. They are not professional models, but young volunteers wearing Vietnamese ao dai, joining the journey of telling heritage stories in the language of youth. Besides them, the presence of supermodel Hong Que, runner-up Le Phuong Thao and editor - MC Manh Khang brought a professional touch, creating a highlight of the intersection between international students and Vietnamese artists. Through the show, it was once again affirmed that ao dai is no longer a traditional costume packed in a museum: it is a message, a heritage, an invitation for the world to look at Vietnam in a different way: soft but steadfast; ancient but creative; traditional but not outdated.

Following the success of the program "Journey Connecting Heritages - Ao Dai on the Heritage Road" at Columbia University (New York), a special cultural exchange activity between the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam (Vietnam) and Columbia University will be held in early November 2025 in Hanoi.

This event marks the next step in the journey of connecting heritage - where Western academic spaces meet Eastern cultural heritage, continuing to affirm the role of fashion, art and education as soft bridges between the two cultures.

Source: https://vtv.vn/ao-dai-tren-con-duong-di-san-hanh-trinh-ket-noi-van-hoa-viet-giua-long-new-york-100251006111541319.htm