The story of Vietnamese women's Ao Dai through the fire of war

On the morning of April 12, at the Hanoi Museum (Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi), the opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition: "Vietnamese women's Ao Dai through the smoke and fire of war" took place.

Photos at the Exhibition.

The exhibition aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), Hanoi Museum in collaboration with the War Remnants Museum; Mind Group Company Limited organizes the thematic exhibition "Vietnamese women's Ao Dai through the smoke and fire of war".

The exhibition displays more than 100 precious documents, artifacts, and images, including images of the ao dai that accompanied heroic women in direct combat with bombs and bullets of war, and in international forums and conferences.

The story of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh is told at the exhibition.

The artifacts introduced at the exhibition are all associated with many examples of heroic women during wartime: The group of artifacts of martyrs Dang Thuy Tram, Duong Thi Quy, volunteer applications to go to the battlefield, wartime letters or souvenirs tinged with memories of time...

The exhibition not only honors the cultural beauty of the Ao Dai but also depicts the portraits of mothers and sisters who have devoted their youth, intelligence and silent sacrifices to the country. Each photo and each exhibit on display is a vivid story about the patriotism and indomitable spirit of Vietnamese women.

During the period from 1954 to 1975, patriotic movements of students in the South took place strongly and were continuously suppressed by the government. Among these was the demonstration in November 1964, which attracted attention due to the death of student Le Van Ngoc. Le Van Ngoc's funeral later attracted thousands of participants, many of whom were students.

Outstanding students at that time included Ms. Hua Kim Anh, Nguyen Thi Cuc, Le Thi Sau, Tran Thi Lan, Nguyen Thi Phi Van… who still wore Ao Dai to perform their duties. Ms. Hua Kim Anh was then in charge of purchasing the coffin and protecting Le Van Ngoc’s coffin. Ms. Nguyen Thi Cuc, a student at Gia Long School at that time, tied her ao dai to climb the wall to escape, participate and contribute to the funeral…

These are also stories about female lawyer Ngo Ba Thanh and the "Women Demanding the Right to Live" movement in 1970. This movement called on women to speak up to demand improved prison conditions and the right to live for their families and themselves.

Vietnamese women in ao dai through historical periods.

During most of her career, lawyer Ngo Ba Thanh often wore the ao dai. She was a talented speaker and often wore the ao dai to mobilize workers, farmers, small traders, and intellectuals to participate in protesting against the American invasion of Vietnam.

Or it was also the ao dai of former Vice Presidents Nguyen Thi Binh and Nguyen Thi Dinh in many political and diplomatic activities at that time.

The public also saw the "bravery" of Vietnamese women in the ao dai through the images of Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh visiting the German Democratic Republic (1967), at the negotiating table on the day of signing the Paris Agreement (January 27, 1973) or when taking a photo with Ms. Nguyen Thi Dinh and lawyer Ngo Ba Thanh at the 6th National Assembly session (1976) in Vietnam...

Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Mr. Dang Van Bieu, Deputy Director of Hanoi Museum, emphasized: "Not only imprinted as a cultural beauty, the delicate beauty of a costume, ao dai also preserves historical stories, love, and carries deep meaning of aspirations about history and national spirit".

He hopes the exhibition will contribute to conveying to the public the message: Let's cherish, preserve, protect and promote the value of the Vietnamese ao dai cultural heritage because "when you see the ao dai flying on the street, you will see the soul of the homeland there".

Public visit exhibition.

Ao dai today has been, is and will forever be one of the beautiful symbols of traditional cultural values, expressing the strong vitality, bravery and spirit of the Vietnamese people through historical periods.

Through the exhibition, it helps today's generation understand more deeply the great contributions of Vietnamese women in the history of the struggle to protect the Fatherland, while honoring the cultural value of the Ao Dai - the eternal symbol of the nation.

According to baovanhoa.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/cau-chuyen-ao-dai-phu-nu-viet-nam-di-qua-khoi-lua-chien-tranh-post400099.html