In 2024, Van Thanh Cong settled with his family in the US and won a scholarship to Parsons Fashion Industry Essentials New York.

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Designer Van Thanh Cong.

“New York is one of the world’s fashion capitals that is currently expanding to developing designers from Asia such as Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim. This is an opportunity for me to come back and update my knowledge and improve my academics,” said Van Thanh Cong.

During the first time leaving Vietnam, the designer was "crazy" about starting to learn everything in the US. In the morning he went to school, in the afternoon he worked part-time, and at night he practiced languages ​​online and did not forget to follow and support young designers in Vietnam.

Van Thanh Cong shared that life in America is completely different from Vietnam, so he was shocked in the first days.

"In Vietnam, you just need to go out on the street and there are many restaurants to choose from for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but in the US, restaurants don't open until 10am, so I had to learn how to cook like a real student away from home. I also learned to drive because taking a taxi would be very expensive. I communicate basically in English, but when I come into contact with a multi-ethnic, culturally diverse and accented country like the US, I had to study hard again. I didn't understand all the words, so I was like a duck hearing thunder," said designer Van Thanh Cong.

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Van Thanh Cong's designs are heavily influenced by his grandfather.

Designer Van Thanh Cong said he was deeply influenced by Eastern culture, from his grandfather. Living away from his parents since childhood, Van Thanh Cong was taken care of by his grandparents. His grandfather was influenced by Confucianism, so he valued knowledge, and from a young age gave Van Thanh Cong many books, especially literature.

His grandfather also had a profound influence on Van Thanh Cong's design style later on. The designer said that his current dressing style was guided and taught by his grandfather. Up to now, Van Thanh Cong has a whole collection of Vietnamese ao dai the linh, thanks to his grandfather's love for it.

The designer wishes to become the pride of Vietnamese fashion to the world and is always ready to wait for the opportunity to present his latest collection at New York Fashion Week.

Photo: FBNV

Designer Van Thanh Cong suggests men's ao dai styles for Tet

In order to honor and continue the Vietnamese silk that can be used in daily life during Tet holidays, designer Van Thanh Cong has created ao dai designs for men that can be worn every day.