Preserving and promoting traditional Ao Dai

Not yet reached the level of "innovation" to cause a stir

After nearly a decade, the revival of the traditional ao dai (also known as the five-panel/five-panel ao dai) by the community and the state has seen many changes, with the number of people sewing and wearing traditional ao dai increasing significantly compared to before. The revival of the traditional ao dai not only helps Vietnamese people preserve the value of traditional heritage but also promotes cultural identity, restores aesthetic values ​​as well as sewing secrets, and restores traditional handicraft villages. However, the results have not been positive, many challenges are arising as this is mostly just a community movement.

Board of Directors

According to the Director of Hoa nien - Nam thang toi dep Ton That Minh Khoi, in the past 5 years, the movement to revive Vietnamese traditional costumes has gradually developed strongly with the birth of many Vietnamese traditional costume brands, leading to more and more mass media product projects applying Vietnamese traditional costumes. Along with the development of groups, the special attention of the leaders of Thua Thien Hue province in creating the project "Hue - Capital of Ao Dai" has also created a positive change.

The most successful case up to now is the MV Khong the cung nhau suot kiep by female singer Hoa Minzy. The product has created a significant wave of tourism to Hue, with many tourists visiting places associated with the love story of Emperor Bao Dai and Empress Nam Phuong as well as creating a "fever" of checking in Vietnamese costumes at locations in Hue relics. Following that, many music video products by many famous artists have also used Vietnamese costumes - mainly the five-panel ao dai in images such as: Precious bird in a cage (Van Mai Huong, K-ICM); Vong nguyet (Hoang Duyen); Choi voi (Phuong Thanh)...

It can be seen that the music products of MVs using Vietnamese costumes instead of the previous "innovative" forms are increasing. The products that are done "right" are increasingly spreading strongly instead of the previous "wrong" products. The mass audience also has positive reactions, wanting to wear Vietnamese costumes in all regions of the country. From the photo albums, the films that spread on social networks to the trends of taking yearbook photos, or weddings, ... more and more young people choose Vietnamese costumes on all occasions. I think that is a positive result after many years of development of units and groups researching and restoring Vietnamese costumes.

Conference scene

"However, Vietnam is only at the level of using "standard" costumes in music videos. We have not yet reached the level of "innovation" that resonates like Korea is doing with music products. We still keep quite a few "standards" with Vietnamese costumes. So, everything also needs time, we are in the first steps in gradually "standardizing" the designs inspired by traditional culture after a very long period of cultural disruption" - Mr. Ton That Minh Khoi added.

According to Mr. Dang Ba Minh Cong (Member of the Vietnamese Village Club), "The proliferation and competition between brands have contributed to shaping the Vietnamese costume market, bringing the traditional Vietnamese ao dai closer to the public. The five-panel ao dai and the tac ao dai have appeared widely in wedding photos and yearbooks of students... However, despite being widespread, there are still shortcomings and limitations such as: many garment manufacturers make the wrong and careless garments, which more or less affects the taste of the wearer; The popular five-panel ao dai materials (estimated at 60-70%) are mainly imported fabrics (silk, brocade, Chinese and Korean gauze...), while Vietnamese silk materials have not really dominated this style of clothing, no matter how good the quality is. Is it because the price is still high and the designs are not diverse?"

Designers need to be connected to each other

Faced with that situation, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien Hue province Phan Thanh Hai said: Ao dai is a special heritage of the Vietnamese people, and currently ao dai is truly a special handicraft to create impressive products, contributing to the development of cultural industry and promoting the local socio-economy.

Ao dai is a special heritage of the Vietnamese people (illustrative photo)

Therefore, in order to preserve and develop the traditional Vietnamese ao dai most effectively, Mr. Phan Thanh Hai believes that there must be plans and projects related to the preservation and promotion of the value of the ao dai. In particular, it is necessary to set goals that are consistent with the socio-economic development goals of the locality as well as exploit the potential and strengths of the locality to serve the goal of sustainable development, and more broadly, in line with the cultural development goals of the nation.

In particular, there is a need to connect and build a network between artisans and ao dai designers throughout the country. In addition, it is also necessary to train professional tailors, designers and ao dai tailors who understand the value of the ao dai and are connected and knowledgeable about the design and tailoring work. When there is a combination of the designer's ideas and art with the skillful tailoring skills of a skilled tailor, new aesthetic values ​​will be created, contributing to raising the value of the ao dai to a higher level.

Along with that, it is necessary to research, draft, promulgate policies on treatment, honor, reward and propose to confer honorary titles of the State to collectives and individuals who have made many contributions to protecting and promoting the value of the Ao Dai heritage. At the same time, create favorable conditions for veteran artisans to teach the skills and secrets of Ao Dai sewing in families, clans, schools, clubs... to protect and preserve the heritage value for future generations.

Ao dai is truly a special craft to create impressive products (illustrative photo)

Sharing the same view, Deputy Head of the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Tran Thi Thuy Lan also emphasized the need to create motivation and opportunities for connection and linkage between organizations and individuals, artisans, craftsmen, researchers, designers, especially young designers in the process of creating and developing traditional ao dai. Along with that, it is necessary to continue to strengthen communication work on the value of traditional ao dai through diverse cultural activities such as: seminars, talks, displays, exhibitions, etc.

"I hope that the ao dai will be increasingly cherished and preserved in cultural and social life, while creating its own mark with international friends, becoming a resource for the tourism and service industries; becoming a part of the spiritual, material, and asset resources... of the community, nation, and people" - Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Lan expressed./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/bao-ton-va-phat-huy-ao-dai-truyen-thong-van-con-nhieu-kho-khan-thach-thuc-20240830224254028.htm