A series of cultural activities commemorating the 20th anniversary of Vietnam's Cultural Heritage Day (November 23, 2005 - November 23, 2025) in Hanoi's Old Quarter will run from now until December 5th, featuring a variety of events. Highlights include an exhibition space at the historical site No. 40 Lan Ong Street, showcasing the renowned physician Hai Thuong Lan Ong, traditional Vietnamese medicine, and a tea-based experience area, allowing visitors to discover the value of the traditional Eastern medicine street.
The heritage music program "Stories of Old Quarter Music," performed by Dong Kinh Ancient Music on the evening of November 22nd at Kim Ngan Temple, promises to recreate the essence of Vietnamese ancient music in a distinctive cultural setting.
Furthermore, workshops offering hands-on experiences such as printing ancient patterns using Thanh Lieu woodblocks and creating souvenirs from silk, wood, and Do paper will provide opportunities for the public to directly participate in preserving and promoting heritage values. These activities not only enliven the Old Quarter but also serve as a bridge for traditional cultural values to spread more widely within the community and to international tourists.
50 ao dai designs were showcased by 45 models.
The program, showcasing the 30-year journey of preserving, honoring, and spreading the heritage values of Vietnamese ao dai by designer David Minh Duc Haute couture, was the highlight of the opening ceremony recently held at the historical site No. 40 Lan Ong Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi .
The ao dai collection comprises 50 designs, showcased by 45 renowned Vietnamese models, including former beauty queens and models from Hanoi. Through the language of fashion, David Minh Duc tells his own story of restoring, preserving, and spreading the heritage of the Vietnamese ao dai.
The designs in the collection are crafted from materials characteristic of East Asia, featuring intricate hand-embroidered patterns, rich folk colors, and bold cuts while still retaining the Vietnamese spirit.
The designs in the collection are all crafted from materials characteristic of East Asia.
Throughout his more than 30-year career, David Minh Duc has not only designed ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) but also researched the history of Vietnamese clothing, restored many types of traditional Vietnamese costumes, inspired the younger generation, and brought the image of Vietnamese ao dai to international friends.
Sharing his deep love for Hanoi and its heritage, designer David Minh Duc said that no matter where he travels, his heart always remains with Hanoi, where he established his career and began his journey of researching and designing Vietnamese clothing more than 30 years ago. The fashion collection he showcased is his way of conveying his feelings and energy to everyone, calling on the community to join hands in preserving, promoting, and developing cultural heritage – an inexhaustible resource for creativity.
Taking on the role of a model in the show, Miss Vietnam-China Friendship 1999 Bang Giang said that because she has always loved the beauty of the Vietnamese ao dai, she immediately accepted the invitation from designer David Minh Duc, who is also a long-time friend.
"In my memories from high school, I see graceful white ao dai dresses on the streets. Later, I had many opportunities to wear and showcase ao dai in various styles, but every time I put on a Vietnamese ao dai, I am deeply moved. Because the ao dai is a garment that embodies the softness, elegance, and sophistication of our nation. It's not just a piece of clothing; the ao dai carries within it the depth of history, art, and the soul of the Vietnamese people through every stitch and fold of fabric," the beauty queen said.
Comment (0)