In the map of Vietnamese cultural symbols, Hue has long been imprinted with the image of a gentle, shy, and elegant girl. The purple ao dai, conical hat, and sweet voice have become unmistakable "signatures". However, entering the 21st century, globalization, urbanization, and digital media are strongly transforming the value system. The Hue girl is no longer just a graceful figure by the Huong River, but is also present in academic, business, technological, and artistic life as a creative subject. The question is: in the integration cycle, will that identity be preserved or will it gradually fade away?

Hue women with trays of uniquely shaped cakes
From shy to independent

In the past, Hue women were mainly described as shy and reserved, but now that image is changing. The purple ao dai - which used to be the "uniform" of Hue girls - rarely appears in daily life. Instead, jeans, T-shirts, and modern skirts are worn - a choice suitable for the fast pace of life and dynamism of the young generation.

However, we cannot therefore conclude that there is a “loss” of identity. On the contrary, today’s Hue girls both preserve the traditional elegance and demonstrate the independent spirit of 21st century women. Identity can only truly survive when it knows how to adapt; if we stubbornly maintain the model of the shy “muse”, it will most likely be pushed back into the past by time.

Social networks have opened a global “stage” for Hue women to express themselves. Hue hot girls and Hue beauty bloggers often use purple ao dai, conical hats, and Hue accents as artistic materials to promote modern lifestyles. Thanks to that, the image of Hue girls has become closer to young people, going beyond local boundaries. However, from another perspective, many cases only stop at the level of commercialization: Ao dai and Hue accents are turned into “advertising props” rather than living cultural heritage.

In the Hue community far from home - from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi to Europe, America - many women still maintain the Hue accent and style as a "mobile heritage". They are the bridge of memories, the proof of the durability of culture. But for the younger generation born and raised in a different environment, the risk of losing the native language and family customs is real. When children no longer speak with a Hue accent, no longer understand Hue songs, identity easily becomes a memory instead of a vivid reality.

Dong Ba market traders learn to livestream and sell via Facebook
From muse to creative subject

In contemporary art, Hue women are not only a source of inspiration, but have become subjects of action. The Ao Dai festivals in Hue Festival are not simply fashion shows, but also declarations about preserving and promoting identity. The "Hue charm" contests, travel vlogs with Hue accent, or community art projects by students and young artists are all efforts to recreate the image of Hue women in the context of integration.

Notably, many installations, short films, and performances by Hue’s youth have raised the issue of feminism, gender equality, and the social role of women. Thanks to that, the gentleness associated with Hue is no longer synonymous with resignation, but is transformed into counter-power, soft power - a weapon that is more persuasive and widespread than external toughness.

There is no denying the new opportunities, but at the same time, three main risks are present. These are:

1) Cultural assimilation : When the purple ao dai is simplified into a "souvenir", it loses its symbolic depth.

2) Commercialization of identity : Hue accent and conical hat are over-exploited in tourism and advertising, to the point of being offensive.

3) Generational gap : Young people far from home rarely speak Hue accent, rarely understand Hue customs, leading to the risk of empty memories.

These risks are not far-fetched theories but are already happening. Without timely policies and actions, in just a few decades, the image of Hue women could be diluted to the point of being unrecognizable.

To preserve the soul of Hue in the 21st century, we cannot just appeal to nostalgia. We need specific and synchronous solutions:

First , identity education in schools . Bring Hue singing, Hue language, history of ao dai and conical hat into extracurricular programs, so that students and young people understand that identity is part of their identity.

Second , support young creativity . The state and community need to encourage young artists, designers, and bloggers to use Hue materials to create, from fashion, music to cinema.

Third , intergenerational dialogue space . Create an environment where grandparents and parents tell stories, sing Hue songs, and teach customs to their children and grandchildren; at the same time, young people have the right to be creative to renew their identity, instead of being constrained by rigid stereotypes.

Fourth , conservation policy is linked to development . Instead of letting the purple ao dai or Hue accent exist as “display” heritage, it is necessary to integrate them into life - tourism, art, education - so that they become sustainable cultural resources.

Educating the younger generation about tradition is also a way to contribute to preserving Hue's identity.
Soft power

Today's Hue girls do not only belong to Hue. In the national cultural picture, they, together with the gentleness of the North and the freedom of the South, form three typical feminine shades, creating the diversity of Vietnam.

At the national level, the gentleness and perseverance of Hue women is a form of soft power. It contributes to building the image of a friendly, rich-in-identity Vietnam in the eyes of international friends. When a Hue girl in a purple ao dai sings along the Perfume River, it is not only an artistic moment, but also a cultural message sent to the world: Vietnam - a country of gentleness, kindness and perseverance.

Today’s Hue girls are not only the shy figures in poetry, but also present as intellectuals, businesswomen, artists, and social activists. They both maintain their traditional elegance and confidently integrate into the global community. That gentleness is not weakness, but a soft power - capable of connecting, spreading, persuading, and uniting the community.

Preserving and recreating that image in the modern flow is also preserving the soul of Hue. Because Hue will forever not only be a heritage city, but also the birthplace of a living cultural symbol - the Hue girl, gentle yet resilient, elegant yet modern, quiet yet eternal.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Suu

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/con-gai-hue-giu-gin-ban-sac-dieu-dang-157396.html