Connecting Vietnamese cultural values

Driven by a love for traditional culture, the people of Dong region are connecting and sharing information about their homeland's heritage...

The Xu Dong Hoi Quan space connects traditional cultural values, especially Vietnamese clothing and Vietnamese tea.

Spreading the love for Vietnamese traditional clothing and Vietnamese tea.

Established in October 2024, the Xu Dong Cultural Center was founded with the desire to spread Vietnamese cultural values ​​in the Xu Dong region. Initially, it had only two founding members, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong and Ms. Tuyet Nguyen - an antique collector. Today, the center brings together more than 50 members and collaborators who are culture enthusiasts and work in the fields of art, history, and tourism .

What makes the Xứ Đông Hội Quán special is its way of bringing heritage out of the quiet exhibition space. Traditional Vietnamese costumes such as the five-panel áo ngũ thân, áo tấc, áo Nhật Bình, dragon robes, and phoenix robes are meticulously restored and sewn according to traditional standards, becoming experiential attire for locals and tourists. Currently, the association displays nearly 300 sets of Vietnamese traditional costumes, mainly from the Nguyễn dynasty. Many of these are restored from original garments purchased at auction in France and the United States, brought back to Vietnam by members of the association.

The space of the Eastern Region Assembly Hall has hosted film crews and researchers who came to study traditional costumes. Many of the costumes here have been used in film projects, including the movie "Phượng Khấu". From the festivals at Lạc Dục Temple, Thanh Kỳ Temple, Mao Điền Confucian Temple to the Côn Sơn - Kiếp Bạc Autumn Festival, images of traditional costumes are appearing more and more frequently, no longer unfamiliar to the community.

The exhibition space of the Eastern Region Assembly Hall used to welcome film crews who came to learn, research, and refer to costumes.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, head of the Xu Dong Association, shared: “We don’t want traditional costumes to just sit in display cases. When people wear traditional clothing, they naturally become curious and want to learn about history and their origins. That’s the most sustainable way to spread the message.”

Alongside performances and experiences showcasing traditional costumes, the association devotes considerable effort to introducing its tea space, especially Kiet Bac lotus tea, a product associated with the Con Son - Kiet Bac historical site.

During the "Vietnamese Traditional Clothing - Exploring Heritage" program at the Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival, nearly 500 visitors donned traditional costumes for free, took photos in the ancient setting, and enjoyed lotus tea. The tea, infused with Thai Nguyen tea leaves and lotus blossoms grown in the lake in front of the temple, offered a pure, delicate flavor unique to the Eastern region.

Visitors immerse themselves in the tranquil atmosphere and enjoy lotus tea from Kiet Bac.

Connecting passions

Many members come to Xu Dong Meeting Hall out of curiosity, then stay because they find a sense of community.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Duy (from Thai Tan commune) joined the club because of his love for traditional costumes and tea culture. Through performances and tea tasting activities, he has the opportunity to meet people with similar passions, learn more about history and culture, and spread that love to his friends, especially young people.

According to Duy, the activities of the Xu Dong Community Center help many young people change their perspective on traditional culture. "When they experience it firsthand, young people will see that culture is not something distant. I hope that through these activities, the younger generation will better understand their national identity and be more conscious of preserving those values," Duy shared.

Beyond cultural experiences, Xu Dong Meeting Hall also aims for sustainable development through green tourism and community tourism. Besides traditional costumes and tea, the meeting hall showcases characteristic agricultural products of Xu Dong such as organic rice from Bai Ruoi, guava tea, and cassava, linking cultural preservation with economic development.

The Xu Dong Association, in collaboration with the Mao Dien Temple of Literature, showcased traditional Vietnamese costumes as part of a heritage experience program.

Sharing her vision for the Xu Dong Association, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong stated that the association's goal is a persistent journey to naturally bring traditional culture back into contemporary life.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue, Deputy Director of the Hai Phong Museum, immediately after the establishment of the community center, the Museum coordinated the organization of activities to celebrate the Lunar New Year 2025, bringing traditional costumes and tea-drinking spaces to serve the public. These activities attracted a large number of visitors, especially young people, contributing to a renewed approach to heritage and raising awareness of traditional cultural preservation.

From a small space, Xu Dong Hoi Quan is gradually asserting its role as a cultural meeting point. There, Vietnamese traditional clothing is not just for admiring, Vietnamese tea is not just for drinking, but all become elements that nurture identity, evoke pride, and inspire responsibility in preserving heritage in each person. Xu Dong Hoi Quan is contributing to writing the next chapter of traditional culture within the modern flow of today.

LINH LINH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/ket-noi-gia-tri-van-hoa-viet-532919.html