The story of the Vietnamese woman's Ao Dai dress surviving the flames of war.

On the morning of April 12th, the opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition "Vietnamese Women's Ao Dai Through the Flames of War" took place at the Hanoi Museum (Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi).

Images from the Exhibition.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), the Hanoi Museum, in collaboration with the War Remnants Museum and Mind Group Co., Ltd., is organizing a thematic exhibition titled "Vietnamese Women's Ao Dai Through the Flames of War".

The exhibition displays over 100 valuable documents, artifacts, and images, including photographs of the traditional ao dai dress that accompanied heroic women in direct combat against bombs and bullets during wartime, as well as in international forums and conferences.

The story of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh is told at the exhibition.

The artifacts on display at the exhibition are all connected to many heroic women during wartime: the collection of artifacts belonging to martyrs Dang Thuy Tram and Duong Thi Quy, volunteer applications to go to the battlefield, wartime letters, and mementos imbued with the memories of time…

The exhibition not only celebrates the cultural beauty of the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) but also portrays the portraits of mothers and sisters who have dedicated their youth, intellect, and silent sacrifices to the country. Each photograph and exhibit tells a vivid story of patriotism and the indomitable spirit of Vietnamese women.

During the period from 1954 to 1975, patriotic movements by students in South Vietnam were strong and continuously suppressed by the government. Among these was the November 1964 protest, which drew attention to the death of student Le Van Ngoc. Le Van Ngoc's funeral subsequently attracted thousands of participants, a large number of whom were students.

The outstanding students at that time included Ms. Hua Kim Anh, Ms. Nguyen Thi Cuc, Ms. Le Thi Sau, Ms. Tran Thi Lan, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phi Van… who still wore their traditional ao dai dresses while performing their duties. Ms. Hua Kim Anh was in charge of purchasing and guarding the coffin of Le Van Ngoc. Ms. Nguyen Thi Cuc, a student at Gia Long High School at the time, tied her ao dai to climb over the wall to escape and participate in and contribute to the funeral…

These are also stories about female lawyer Ngo Ba Thanh and the "Women Demanding the Right to Life" movement of 1970. This movement called on women to speak out and demand improvements in prison conditions and the right to life for their families and themselves.

Vietnamese women in the traditional ao dai dress throughout history.

For much of her career, lawyer Ngo Ba Thanh frequently wore the traditional Vietnamese ao dai dress. She was a talented orator and often wore the ao dai to campaign among various social classes, from workers and farmers to small business owners and intellectuals, to protest the American invasion of Vietnam.

Or perhaps it was the ao dai worn by former Vice Presidents Nguyen Thi Binh and Nguyen Thi Dinh during many political and diplomatic activities at that time.

The public also witnessed the "strength" of Vietnamese women in the ao dai through images of Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh visiting the German Democratic Republic (1967), at the negotiating table on the day of signing the Paris Agreement (January 27, 1973), or when photographed with Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh and lawyer Ngo Ba Thanh at the 6th National Assembly session (1976) in Vietnam…

In his opening remarks at the exhibition, Mr. Dang Van Bieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Museum, emphasized: "The ao dai not only leaves its mark as a cultural beauty and the exquisite beauty of a garment, but it also preserves historical stories, love, and carries profound aspirations about history and national spirit."

He hopes the exhibition will contribute to conveying to the public the message: Cherish, preserve, protect, and promote the cultural heritage value of the Vietnamese ao dai because "when you catch a glimpse of the ao dai fluttering in the streets, you will see the soul of your homeland there."

The public visits the exhibition.

Today, the ao dai has been, is, and will forever remain one of the beautiful symbols of traditional cultural values, reflecting the vibrant vitality, resilience, and spirit of the Vietnamese people throughout history.

Through this exhibition, today's generation can gain a deeper understanding of the immense contributions of Vietnamese women in the history of the struggle to defend the homeland, while also honoring the cultural value of the ao dai - an enduring symbol of the nation.

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