Vietnamese Ao Dai in contemporary life

VHO - A panel discussion at the Da Nang Ao Dai Festival 2026 affirmed the enduring vitality of the ao dai, while also opening up creative development directions and promoting the image of Vietnamese culture in the era of integration.

As part of the Da Nang Ao Dai Festival 2026, on the evening of April 25th, the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a seminar titled "Vietnamese Ao Dai in Contemporary Life".

The program features the participation of managers, researchers, designers, and influential individuals involved in preserving and promoting the value of Vietnamese ao dai, including: Ms. Dang Thi Bich Lien - Former Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, President of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association; Dr. Tran Dinh Hang - Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts in Hue ; educator and ao dai designer Viet Hung…

The seminar, which brought together many managers, researchers, and designers, clarified the traditional value and adaptability of the ao dai in modern society.

At the seminar, delegates focused on discussing the role of the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) in cultural development strategies, its adaptability in modern life, and the direction of developing the creative fashion industry in conjunction with promoting the image of Da Nang.

According to Dr. Tran Dinh Hang, the ao dai is not only an aesthetically pleasing garment but also a cultural symbol embodying historical memories, intellectual depth, and national identity across generations.

The ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) not only appears at domestic cultural and artistic events but has also made its way internationally, appearing at fashion weeks, prestigious beauty pageants, and many major cultural events around the world.

Ao Dai fashion show at the Da Nang Ao Dai Festival 2026

Notably, Dr. Tran Dinh Hang emphasized that the Vietnamese ao dai is already a "perfect" garment in itself. Any innovation, if necessary, should focus on design and materials to enhance aesthetics and practicality, rather than altering its core value.

Dang Thi Bich Lien, President of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association, affirmed that the ao dai is not only a value that needs to be preserved, but also a creative space and a part of contemporary life that is continuing to be shaped. In the future, more ao dai festivals and events should be organized to honor and spread the value of the Vietnamese ao dai heritage.

Opinions expressed at the seminar also suggested that, for the ao dai to continue to thrive in modern society, a combination of preservation and innovation, tradition and new trends is needed. At the same time, developing a fashion design industry linked to the ao dai will contribute to promoting the creative economy and enhancing the cultural standing of Vietnam.

In the contemporary context, the ao dai faces a dual challenge: preserving its core values ​​while adapting to remain vibrantly present in today's life.

The seminar "Vietnamese Ao Dai in Contemporary Life" is not only an academic forum but also a place for practical connection between managers, researchers, and designers.

This contributes to clarifying the role of the ao dai in cultural development strategies, affirming its adaptability in modern life, and opening up new directions for promoting the image of the ao dai associated with Da Nang city in the future.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/ao-dai-viet-nam-trong-doi-song-duong-dai-222719.html