March spreads the beauty of Vietnamese Ao Dai

(ABO) March is back, from urban to rural areas, offices, schools... everywhere is filled with images of gentle, graceful women in Ao Dai. Images of women wearing graceful Ao Dai are also shared across social networking sites... to celebrate International Women's Day March 8 and respond to "Ao Dai Week" launched by the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) in recent years.

The female delegates all wore Ao Dai to attend the Ao Dai Show with the theme " Tien Giang Women - Proud of Ao Dai" organized by the Women's Union of Tien Giang province in early March 2024. Photo: P. MAI

For Vietnamese women, the indispensable outfit in their wardrobe is the Ao Dai. And the habit of wearing Ao Dai on holidays, Tet, important events such as engagements, weddings, etc. has been passed down through generations of Vietnamese women. Women wearing Ao Dai is not only beautiful, but it is also a civic responsibility of national consciousness, a responsibility for the younger generation to continue to preserve culture.

Before wearing it, every woman must iron the ao dai to make it smooth. It seems that when preparing to put on the graceful ao dai, every woman is more deeply aware of beauty from appearance to soul.

Ao Dai performance with the theme "Tien Giang Women - Proud of Ao Dai" organized by the Women's Union of Tien Giang province in early March 2024. Photo: P. MAI

They understand that wearing the traditional ao dai is not allowed to be careless. A dress that shows solemnity and elegance requires civilized behavior, soft and delicate speech, slow and graceful steps... And especially, they pay attention to their hair, face, and smile to be charming enough, to taking care of their health so that their weight and body shape are balanced and harmonious to confidently show off their sexy curves in the ao dai. That is also the beauty that carries the unique "identity" of Vietnamese women. The discreet, charming, gentle and delicate beauty thanks to the traditional ao dai.

If in the past, the ao dai only had a traditional style, now it is richer in style and material. Everyone can easily choose an ao dai that suits their “taste”. The ao dai can be gentle and graceful; it can also be graceful, feminine, even individualistic and unconventional…

The materials of the Ao Dai are now also extremely diverse, from silk, brocade, velvet, chiffon, etc. Each material gives the wearer a unique style and quality. Women often lean towards traditional Ao Dai designs with meticulous tailoring, brocade or velvet materials that enhance the luxurious and noble look. Meanwhile, young people can be more innovative in innovative Ao Dai with elaborate motifs and patterns and materials that bring comfort to the wearer such as silk, chiffon, etc.

Unlike traditional costumes of many countries in the world , wearing Ao Dai, Vietnamese women do not need to spend much time, it is simple, neat, graceful and elegant. Perhaps that is why Ao Dai - traditional costume has "infiltrated" into the daily life of Vietnamese women naturally and easily.

Through many studies, the ao dai is confirmed to be the pride of the Vietnamese people, because not every ethnic group has a costume that is both discreet, graceful and sexy like the ao dai.

The Women's Union of Cho Gao district, Tien Giang province organized an Ao Dai performance in response to "Ao Dai Week" in 2024. Photo: P. MAI

It can be said that modern life with countless unique and novel fashion trends, chosen by everyone, but Vietnamese Ao Dai still holds a certain important position. The proof is that on holidays, New Year as well as commemorating major holidays, cultural and political events... most female delegates appear in traditional Ao Dai. Or on happy days of couples, there are many women wearing formal Ao Dai; brides also choose for themselves bright yellow and bright red Ao Dai... Vietnamese women appearing on the stage of the Miss World contest confidently wear the traditional costumes of the nation...

I think that is the most practical way to continue to preserve and promote the image of the Vietnamese ao dai, contributing to affirming and honoring the position and value of the ao dai in social life; at the same time, honoring the beauty of women in the period of integration and development.

Ao dai is now not only a symbol of Vietnamese women, but also represents Vietnamese culture and Vietnamese national identity to the world. And it is no coincidence that the lyrics of the song “A Glimpse of Homeland” by musician Tu Huy - Thanh Tung:

"How beautiful, the homeland gives us a magical shirt
Wherever - Paris, London or far away
Glimpses of ao dai flying on the street
You will see the soul of your homeland there, my dear…” has become a familiar melody to many Vietnamese people.

Because, over the past hundred years, the ao dai has entered from daily life into cinema, music, painting... even becoming a symbol, a part of the Vietnamese soul in their homeland or around the world.

In particular, the state also pays attention and focuses on investing to honor Vietnamese Ao Dai. Ao Dai is also promoted and honored in many localities across the country in many forms. In particular, promoting the success of the series of activities "Ao Dai - Vietnamese Cultural Heritage" initiated by the Vietnam Women's Union since 2019, especially "Ao Dai Week" held annually in March, with many activities honoring Vietnamese Ao Dai being implemented enthusiastically, diversely, and widely across the country.

This year, the Women's Unions of provinces/cities, affiliated units, members, women, female cadres, civil servants, and public employees in localities, agencies, units, and workplaces respond to the event "Ao Dai Week" with creative, practical, and specific activities; wearing Ao Dai on working days suitable to the conditions and characteristics of the profession from March 1 to March 8, 2024.

Agencies and units in Tien Giang province launched a campaign for officials, civil servants and public employees to wear Ao Dai in response to "Ao Dai Week" in 2014.

Particularly in Tien Giang, from the beginning of March, the Provincial Women's Union organized an Ao Dai performance program with the theme "Tien Giang Women - Proud of Vietnamese Ao Dai" with 200 cadres, members, and women performing 220 unique Ao Dai costumes, diverse in color, design, and many different styles including: Ao Dai collection "Historical - Cultural Relics of Tien Giang" by designer Cam Minh, traditional Ao Dai, wedding Ao Dai, student Ao Dai and Ao Dai in everyday life.

On the evening of March 8, in My Tho City, there will also be a performance festival of “Ao Dai past and present”. The Women’s Unions of districts, towns and cities of the province will organize many practical and meaningful activities to honor, spread, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Vietnamese Ao Dai.

Responding to "Ao Dai Week" in 2024, civil servants and public employees of agencies and units in Tien Giang province wear Ao Dai during working days.

In addition, agencies, departments, branches and organizations of Tien Giang province launched a response to "Ao Dai Week" with officials, civil servants, public employees and workers wearing Ao Dai during working days in accordance with conditions and occupational characteristics from March 1 to March 8, 2024.

Through practical activities, the Vietnam Women's Union at all levels wishes to contribute to inspiring and spreading meaningful, positive messages about love, national pride, the country, people and Vietnamese Ao Dai to the general public. At the same time, contributing to the values of Ao Dai to be soon recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and further as a World Cultural Heritage.

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Source: http://baoapbac.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/202403/thang-3-lan-toa-ve-dep-ao-dai-viet-nam-1004883/