Young people appreciate Vietnamese traditional costumes

In recent years, traditional Vietnamese costumes no longer only appear in museums or traditional events but have gradually become a part of daily life. Notably, the people who contribute to bringing this cultural value back are the young, who carry within them love, passion and concern for the risk of traditional costumes disappearing.

A group of young people in Thai Nguyen pose in traditional Vietnamese costumes.

Once overshadowed by the wave of modernization, Vietnamese traditional costumes are gradually regaining their position thanks to public attention, especially the strong influence of the media. More and more images of traditional costumes appear on digital platforms and in artistic products.

Some famous music clips have helped audiences re-identify the beauty of traditional costumes, such as Anh oi o lai (Chi Pu) with the Nguyen Dynasty royal court setting; De Mi noi cho ma nghe (Hoang Thuy Linh) with the strong cultural imprint of the Mong people, or Khong the cung nhau suot kiep (Hoa Minzy) recreating the image of Queen Nam Phuong. The film Nguoi vo cuoi cuoi by director Victor Vu continues to resonate when using hundreds of traditional costumes to realistically depict the life of mandarins in the 19th century.

Along with the appearance of traditional costumes in popular art, terms such as ao tac, nhat binh, ngu than, giao linh, vien linh, phuong bao… have gradually become more familiar to the public. Many activities to honor traditional costumes are organized, showing the community’s growing interest in traditional cultural values.

Young people in Thai Nguyen pose in traditional Vietnamese costumes.

One late afternoon, in a nostalgic tea shop on Ga Street (Thai Nguyen City), a group of young people who love traditional costumes in Thai Nguyen had the opportunity to gather. In a cozy space, under the soft yellow light, they looked at and discussed ancient costumes together. On the table, besides cups of fragrant tea, were traditional costumes with elegant colors. A blue five-panel dress was placed neatly next to a bright red Nhat Binh dress, along with a few research books on Vietnamese costumes. Everyone attentively observed each needle and thread, admiring the delicate beauty of the patterns and fabrics.

Ms. Nong Thi Thuy Hoa, a teacher at Luong Ngoc Quyen Primary School (Thai Nguyen City) , holding a Japanese traditional dress in her hand, shared: I started learning about traditional costumes three years ago, at first just out of curiosity, but the more I researched, the more I felt the cultural depth in every stitch. Each costume is not just clothing but also a part of history, reflecting the customs and lifestyle of ancient Vietnamese people. Therefore, I want to spread this love to students, helping them understand more about history through the costumes themselves.

According to Ms. Hoa, to own a traditional costume, you can order it or buy it ready-made. In Thai Nguyen, there are currently a number of designers specializing in traditional costumes, but most enthusiasts usually order it from Hanoi to ensure the accuracy of the design and material.

Young people from Thai Nguyen attended the "Hundred Flowers Walk" event held in the capital Hanoi.

Sharing the same passion, Ms. Mai Nguyet Nga (Tan Thinh Ward, Thai Nguyen City) gently touched the five-panel dress that she brought. She excitedly said: Many people think that traditional costumes are only for special occasions or for performance, but in fact, if you know how to combine them, traditional costumes can completely appear in daily life. I was lucky to be one of 400 people participating in the parade and it was great to see Vietnamese traditional costumes shine on the streets of Hanoi, no longer limited to the stage or movies.

Mr. Tran Hoang Viet, Quyet Thang commune (Thai Nguyen city) has a different perspective on traditional costumes. For him, this is not only a hobby but also a research journey. "I always want to restore traditional costumes based on the most accurate historical documents. This helps people have a more realistic view of our ancestors' costumes, avoiding distortion or excessive innovation. Traditional costumes are not only beautiful but also reflect the sophistication and meticulousness of the ancients in every line" - Mr. Viet said.

The story of traditional costumes continues in the teahouse space. The five-panel ao dai, the Nhat Binh ao dai, and the Tac ao dai are no longer strange items but have gradually become a part of the lives of young people here. Not only stopping at wearing traditional costumes, this group of young people also regularly organizes exchanges, takes photos, and participates in cultural events to spread the love for traditional costumes.

In Thai Nguyen, although the movement of loving traditional costumes is still new, with the passion and enthusiasm of young people, traditional values ​​are gradually being vividly recreated. With their love for national culture, they continue the journey of preserving heritage, so that Vietnamese traditional costumes are not just a distant memory but become a source of pride in the hearts of every Vietnamese person.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202503/nguoi-tre-tran-trong-co-phuc-viet-cf8146d/