Affirming the identity of Vietnamese traditional costumes.

(To Quoc) - Traditional Vietnamese clothing is an indispensable part of each nation's cultural heritage, bearing the distinct mark of history and national identity. In the context of strong cultural integration and exchange today, identifying and affirming the identity of Vietnamese traditional clothing has become an urgent issue.

Vietnamese traditional clothing in the flow of East Asian culture.

No culture develops without being influenced by cultural exchange. Vietnamese culture, since ancient times, has continuously absorbed the best elements from countries sharing a common culture and writing system (i.e., China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam) and even India, but has always known how to adapt them to suit its geographical conditions, climate, and national spirit. Associate Professor Dr. Pham Ngoc Trung (Senior Lecturer, Former Head of the Department of Culture and Development, Academy of Journalism and Communication) emphasized: "No nation can exist independently without contact with anyone and still develop. Vietnamese culture is unity in diversity. The cultural characteristics of powerful nations have become an integral part of Vietnamese culture."

In East Asian cultures, strong cultural exchange has given rise to the concept of "great similarity"—meaning a resemblance to major characteristics, typically in areas such as clothing, architecture, or rituals. For traditional clothing, this similarity largely stems from exchanges of sewing techniques, materials, or design styles between countries. For example, the "áo giao lĩnh"—a type of garment with a crossed collar, popular in many countries such as Vietnam, Japan (Kimono), and Korea (Hanbok)—clearly demonstrates this mutual influence within the region.

The traditional Vietnamese tunic (áo giao lĩnh) is popular in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. (Photo: Internet, Vietnam Centre)

Thus, culture is a continuous flow, connecting communities. Cultural development cannot be separated from the process of interaction and transformation. Therefore, it is inevitable that Vietnamese traditional clothing shares similarities with other countries in the Dong Van region, and a more open-minded perspective is needed. Associate Professor Pham Ngoc Trung emphasized: "We should be proud of our ability to synthesize, absorb, and select the finest elements of human culture into what we call the cultural identity of the Vietnamese people, something our ancestors successfully did." The important thing is that we need to identify and affirm the core values ​​and unique features that create the distinct identity of Vietnamese traditional clothing.

Defining the identity of Vietnamese traditional costumes

In the context of cultural exchange, the Vietnamese still maintain subtle details that create distinction, known as "small differences." This is not only in the style of clothing, but also in how the Vietnamese use and modify them based on their unique lifestyle, customs, and aesthetics. For example, the buttons on the five-panel áo ngũ thân (traditional Vietnamese tunic) are often made of bone or copper instead of woven fabric like in China. Similarly, the incorporation of distinctive customs such as blackening teeth, chewing betel nut, and going barefoot also contributes to the difference in the way Vietnamese traditional clothing is used compared to other countries in the Dong Van Karst Plateau.

Distinctive customs create a unique character when Vietnamese people wear traditional clothing. (Photo: Collected).

The reality is that very few people truly understand the identity of traditional Vietnamese clothing. Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Dong (co-founder of the Vietnam Centre group) shared: "Except for those interested in culture and history, traditional Vietnamese clothing is still very little known." This shows that more effort is needed to affirm the identity and spread the value of traditional Vietnamese clothing.

First and foremost, strengthening the cultural foundation through specialized research plays a crucial role. Academic studies not only help clarify the origins and characteristics of traditional Vietnamese clothing but also provide a solid scientific basis for the preservation and development of this heritage in the present era.

Researcher and antique collector Tran Quang Minh Tan emphasized: "We need more venues, gatherings, and community-based activities. Traditional costumes will survive if they have a place to thrive. Otherwise, they will gradually fade away and completely lose their direction." This requires strong involvement from the education system and state policies. Extracurricular activities should be promoted, integrating content about traditional costumes into history and art to ignite a passion for culture. At the same time, state agencies should cooperate with research groups and artists to include traditional costumes in national and international cultural events and encourage wearing them on major holidays.

The annual Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet program, held in Hanoi's Old Quarter, attracts a large number of heritage lovers who wear traditional costumes. Photo: Vietnamese Village Club.

In the digital age, mass media has become a powerful tool for disseminating cultural values. Major cultures like China, Korea, and Japan have utilized films, comics, and anime to promote their traditional culture. From this, we can learn a valuable lesson: the need to strengthen cooperation between the arts and academia to create cultural products that are both entertaining and historically accurate.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/khang-dinh-ban-sac-co-phuc-viet-20241230141032612.htm