Hue Ao Dai Knowledge is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage

(CLO) The aesthetics of royal costumes with strict regulations have spread and blended with folk aesthetics to create unique marks on Hue ao dai, which is not easy to find in other regions.

On November 23, Thua Thien Hue province held a ceremony to receive the title of National Intangible Cultural Heritage "Knowledge of sewing and wearing Hue Ao Dai".

According to historical sources, in 1744, Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat issued many policies, reorganized the apparatus and mentioned the reform of the royal dress. The ao dai was focused on, treasured and became the main costume of the people in the Dang Trong region, affirming cultural autonomy.

Hue Ao Dai collection performance on the morning of November 23. Photo: PL

Over a history of more than 300 years, generations of Hue artisans have accumulated a lot of knowledge about sewing and wearing Ao Dai, which clearly symbolizes the system of aesthetic values ​​and morals of society.

Entering the modern era, Hue Ao Dai is still used by many people, most commonly by students, civil servants, middle-aged and elderly people, women doing small business in shops, markets...

Dr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien Hue province, said that the biggest difference between Hue ao dai and other regions in the country is that it was nurtured on the foundation of a cultural region that was once the capital of the last monarchy of Vietnam - where the aesthetics of Nguyen Dynasty court costumes with strict regulations spread, intertwined with folk aesthetics to create unique marks on the ao dai.

In Hue, the Ao Dai has become a familiar image, entering life, closely associated with culture and customs, appearing in all ritual activities, festivals and even in daily life in the ancient capital. It is also an endless source of inspiration for poetry, songs, music, and paintings, becoming a symbol of Hue women.

Hue men also often wear Ao Dai in important activities such as weddings, death anniversaries, temple worship, spring outings, holidays, Tet... Wearing Ao Dai gives men a dignified, majestic demeanor, and women a graceful, elegant demeanor.

Mr. Hai said that Hue Ao Dai tailoring shops are mainly concentrated in Gia Hoi - Cho Dinh, Kim Long, Vi Da, Phu Cam areas... These are areas with long-standing historical and cultural traditions, densely populated and home to families and clans with a tradition of tailoring Hue Ao Dai.

Nowadays, the tradition of making and wearing Ao Dai is enhanced and embellished by famous Hue Ao Dai designers and tailors. The technical steps of cutting, sewing, threading the hem, and making buttons are all carefully taken care of by artisans and Ao Dai tailors. The Ao Dai is not simply a garment but a work of art, containing the cultural identity of Hue.

In Hue, the ao dai has become a familiar image in daily life. Photo: TP

Hue Ao Dai is a synthesis of the fields of weaving, sewing, embroidery, painting, design, fashion, truly a cultural product, aiming to be a cultural industrial product to serve tourism.

Hue is also the first locality in Vietnam to organize a festival to honor the beauty of Ao Dai when since 2002, the Ao Dai festival was held during the Hue Festival. Since then, Ao Dai festivals have been continuously and regularly organized not only during the festivals.

Currently, the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province has approved the project "Hue - Capital of Vietnamese Ao Dai" with many rich contents. This is the legal basis for the effective implementation of activities to promote and honor Hue Ao Dai, promote economic and tourism development, and affirm the Hue Ao Dai brand.

Khanh Ngoc

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tri-thuc-may-va-mac-ao-dai-hue-la-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-post322592.html