Continue to preserve and honor the heritage of Vietnamese Ao Dai

The event was attended by former Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh; representatives from ministries, departments, associations, and embassies; as well as numerous artists, artisans, designers, cultural researchers, education experts... and the public who love the ao dai from all over the country.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Dang Thi Bich Lien, President of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association and former Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: In contemporary life, the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) both embodies strong traditional values and is constantly being innovated, modernized, and dynamically integrated with the era of globalization. Therefore, the establishment of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association is a necessary step to connect hearts that love the ao dai, creative hands, and research minds, to together preserve, promote, and spread the beauty of the ao dai as a vibrant living heritage in the modern flow.

Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan and models showcase the "Mountain Colors" ao dai collection by designer Han Phuong ( Thai Nguyen ).

"The ao dai is the embodiment of Vietnamese history, spirit, aesthetics, and culture, present on every street corner in the country and abroad. It can be said that all Vietnamese people of all ages and professions have a close and familiar connection with the ao dai," Ms. Bich Lien emphasized.

In response to the need for a long-term and comprehensive strategy to ensure that the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) is not merely a symbol of memory or festive imagery, but truly becomes a vibrant, creative, and accessible part of contemporary life, the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association will focus on implementing the following key tasks:

Research, preserve, and promote the historical, cultural, and artistic values of the Vietnamese ao dai (traditional dress) through each stage of its development; organize activities to promote, honor, and spread the value of the Vietnamese ao dai to the international community; connect creative forces to form a "creative cultural ecosystem" associated with the ao dai; advise, consult, and make recommendations to state management agencies on building policies to support, honor, and preserve the cultural value of the ao dai, especially in education, communication, cultural diplomacy, and creative economic development; build databases, collections, and archives on the ao dai, contributing to research and education on heritage...

The signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding.

Within the framework of the program, the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association signed memoranda of cooperation with many partner organizations in diverse fields, such as the Vietnam Cultural Industry Development Association, the Vietnam Traditional Craft Villages Association, the Vietnam Business Culture Association, etc.

Designer Do Trinh Hoai Nam, Vice President of the Association, happily expressed: "The establishment of the Association will open up more opportunities for Vietnamese designers to reach the world, enhance their status when participating in programs and fashion weeks, bring Vietnamese designers to major events; cooperate with and invite international designers to Vietnam..."

Sharing her perspective on promoting the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) in conjunction with the development of the cultural industry, Dr. Dang Thi Bich Lien added: "The ao dai is not just clothing but has become an intangible cultural heritage, embodying traditional beauty and simultaneously having the potential to attract and enrich the locality, developing tourism. For example, through ao dai designs printed, painted, or embroidered with motifs of historical sites and scenic spots, this is a way to transform the ao dai into a means of promoting heritage."

She also proposed the idea of coordinating national historical sites and agencies to organize a designated day for wearing the traditional Vietnamese ao dai, inviting sponsors and local designers to participate, in order to showcase culture, promote tourism, and generate income for artisans...

Representatives of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association also stated that they will promote activities such as attracting female entrepreneurs, supporting designers, manufacturing businesses, artisans in silk and traditional textile production, applying technology, and linking creative value chains.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam, Permanent Vice President of the Association, stated that the Association was established with clear commitments and goals to enhance the value and promote Vietnamese ao dai (traditional dress) further.

Interspersed throughout the program, the audience enjoyed artistic performances and fashion shows featuring traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses by renowned designers from various provinces and cities across the country.

The event conveys a message of honoring and further spreading the heritage value of the ao dai in the cultural and spiritual life of the Vietnamese people, aiming towards recognizing the ao dai as a national intangible cultural heritage and building a dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition of the ao dai as a world intangible cultural heritage.

Earlier, on the afternoon of August 8th in Hanoi, the first Congress of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association, for the term 2025-2030, was held. The Congress elected an Executive Committee of 41 members. Dr. Dang Thi Bich Lien, former Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was elected President of the Association; Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam was elected Permanent Vice President, and Ms. Khuc Thi Dau was elected Vice President and General Secretary.

In addition, the Association has four Vice Presidents: Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Vy, Ms. Hoang Thi Ngoc Mai, Ms. Phung Thi Thu Thuy, and Mr. Do Trinh Hoai Nam.