'Color of the Mountain' - 'Breath of the Forest' in Vietnamese Ao Dai

Designer Han Phuong and models present the collection "Sac Nui".

Creative Symphony

Born and raised in Thai Nguyen - the land of vast tea hills - childhood memories have become a source of inspiration for designer Han Phuong's creativity.

Early morning mist covers the hills, young green tea buds in the hands of the pickers, the sweet aroma of tea in the wind, the golden sunlight spreading across the hillsides... all are conveyed by her in the color palette of "Mountain Colors".

Audiences can recognize the green of tea hills, the white of morning dew, the yellow of early sunlight - colors that are both familiar and strange, both intimate and luxurious.

Therefore, right from the moment the first dresses of the “Sac Nui” Collection appeared, the audience seemed to step into a miniature Viet Bac. The green of the great forest, the bright yellow of the afternoon sun, the calm indigo color, the cool green of Thai Nguyen tea hills - all are blended in each soft fold of the dress.

The delicate hand-embroidered lines, elaborate brocade patterns and skillful fabric pairing have created a symphony that is both intimate and luxurious, both rustic and noble. In Vietnamese cultural life, the ao dai is not only a costume, but also a symbol imbued with the national soul.

For a long time, the ao dai has been present in poetry, painting, and music ; following women through the ups and downs of history and becoming a “cultural ambassador” on the international stage. Based on that heritage, “Sac Nui” continues to affirm the eternal value of the ao dai, but at the same time breathes into it a fresh breath of contemporary creativity.

Each design in the collection tells a story. There are dresses that evoke the bustling rhythm of a market, dresses that exude the scent of spring flowers, and dresses that echo the sound of a panpipe calling friends from the mountains and forests.

The audience is led on a journey of discovery : from daily life, customs to majestic nature, all vividly appear through each layer of fabric, needle and thread.

Sharing about “Sac Nui”, designer Han Phuong confided: I want to convey into each dress the breath of the land and sky of Viet Bac, where people live in harmony with nature and preserve many long-standing cultural values. When wearing the dress, each person not only feels more beautiful, but also feels like they are carrying a part of Vietnamese history and soul.

Storytelling with the language of fabric

Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan and Designer Han Phuong thanked the audience during the performance, at the launching ceremony of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association.

The unique point of designer Han Phuong is the subtlety in connecting heritage with today's life. She wants the ao dai to not only appear in shows, but also become a familiar outfit, close to everyday life.

When the ao dai is worn in the office, school, festivals or simple meetings, it is the most vivid proof of the vitality of national culture. For designer Han Phuong, the ao dai is not just a product to show off techniques or creative personality. It is a way of telling stories through the language of fabrics, brocade, and embroidery. It is a story about a land, a way of life, a culture.

Thanks to that concept, each of her collections, whether presented domestically or internationally, is imbued with Vietnamese identity, allowing people to clearly feel the national beauty through fashion. Not stopping at “Sac Nui”, designer Thai Nguyen also cherishes bringing tea culture - the pride of her homeland - into new creations.

She hopes to organize Ao Dai catwalks right in the middle of green tea hills, during tea festivals or community events, so that wearers and viewers can immerse themselves in a vibrant cultural space. At that time, Ao Dai will not only be a performance costume, but will truly become a “living heritage” in contemporary life.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202508/sac-nui-hoi-tho-dai-ngan-trong-ta-ao-dai-viet-d9c7aeb/