Ao dai is the traditional costume of Vietnamese people, a diplomatic connection with international friends.
Within the framework of the "Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival - 2025" taking place on March 8 at Nguyen Hue Walking Street (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), more than 1,000 people, including many young people, paraded in Ao Dai costumes called "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh". Not only is it a Vietnamese costume parade event on the street, "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" also contributes to preserving the traditional values of the nation. Reporters of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper had an interview with Vu Duc and Quynh Nga, the two "leaders" of "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh".
Reporter: What opportunity led you to create "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh"?
Quynh Nga and Vu Duc - authors of the program "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" (Photo: THANH HIEP)
- QUYNH NGA: "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" is an annual activity to promote and honor the beauty of national costumes, conveying cultural messages through the activity of walking and performing Vietnamese costumes. This activity was launched in 2022 and is increasingly known and loved by many people. The group consists of 3 members: Vu Duc, Quynh Nga and Gia Loc. These are also the key factors of "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" from the first season.
- VU DUC: In 2024, "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" became one of the highlights, attracting the attention of many young people. We are happy and pleased that "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" has become a highlight to introduce the traditional ao dai of the Vietnamese people.
Are you satisfied with what "Hundred Flowers Walk" has achieved?
- QUYNH NGA: The reason the group decided to organize "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" is because very few people can recognize the traditional costumes of Vietnam. "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" together with historians and researchers, step by step organized to help many people have the opportunity to debate, learn for themselves and recognize the appearance of traditional Vietnamese costumes. Right after the first season, I was very excited to be awarded the National Award for "Foreign Information for the 8th time" - 2022.
Parade in Ao Dai called "Bach Hoa Walking" on March 8 at Nguyen Hue Walking Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: QUYNH TRAM)
What is the current wish of "Hundred Flowers Walk"?
- VU DUC: Our goal is to overcome difficulties in promoting and introducing the achievements of an intergenerational traditional costume movement that has been taking place for the past 10 years (2014-2024). Although we have organized 4 seasons, everything has become more organized, but the difference in the ability to recognize traditional costumes is still a limitation. Fortunately, we always receive support for projects on costume culture. In the future, I hope to carry out many new projects to bring "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" to the Central region, while connecting with many cultural and tourism activities of the whole country.
How can you mobilize Gen Z to participate in "Hundred Flowers Walk"?
- VU DUC: We are a mobile group, the members all have wide connections so it is not difficult to mobilize Gen Z to participate. Over many seasons, the message we received was the positive response from young people in restoring the heritage of their ancestors' costumes. "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" is an emotional way to bring those costumes to modern streets.
In 2024, our group was nominated in the category "Z-Team - Talented Gen Z Group" of WeChoice Awards 2024. This is also an encouragement for our efforts on the journey to spread ethnic costumes to the young generation.
What did "Hundred Flowers Walk" do to overcome financial obstacles?
- QUYNH NGA: Funding was not a problem that gave us a "headache" during the 4 seasons of organization, because all of our companions were willing to support the growth of the movement. The whole team worked hard despite the difficulties. Only daring can open a precedent and luckily we succeeded. Our biggest profit was that members of different ages and communities brought special perspectives to "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh".
The movement to research Vietnamese costumes in the past 10 years has been initiated by young people. What do you think about this?
- VU DUC: In recent years, when the traditional costume trend returned, generational conflicts occurred quite fiercely in a part of society. Adults seemed unfamiliar with the events that the younger generation was doing. However, the performance of "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" brought a new and unique picture. It was the result of a decade of perseverance. Many generations have worn Ao Dai together (ao ngu than, ao giao linh, ao nhat binh, ao tu than...) in many events and cultural festivals.
Bringing traditional costumes closer to the public
Ms. Nguyen Cam Tu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center, expressed: "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" - the story of Vietnamese costumes, has helped the activities of "Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival - 2025" to take place more abundantly. Not only attracting young people, "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" also contributes to honoring traditional identity, bringing traditional costumes closer to the public, especially the Gen Z generation. This also creates a very unique added value for Vietnam tourism in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular every March.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/ao-dai-viet-nam-vuon-tam-cao-moi-196250308204544715.htm
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