Programme promotes Ao dai for world cultural heritage recognition
At an event in Hanoi on April 13, over 40 designers, models, and students showcased Ao dai collections inspired by the four seasons, regional cultures, and the Vietnam Women’s Union’s symbolic dove, representing peace and aspiration.
Hanoi (VNA)🐲 - An Ao dai show titled “Huong Sac Viet Nam” (Essence of Vietnam) was held in Hanoi on April 13, as part of ongoing efforts to have the traditional dress recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Organised by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU), the event aimed to commemorate multiple milestones including International Women’s Day, the Hai Ba Trung Uprising, and the upcoming 50th anniversary of liberation of the south and national reunification.
Attendees included Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary To Lam, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh, over 250 female officials, foreign guests, and diplomats' spouses.
In her opening speech, Vietnam Women’s Union President Nguyen Thi Tuyen emphasised that Ao dai has long been a symbol of Vietnamese culure, reflecting history, aesthetics, and national pride. Since 2019, the union has led campaigns and events to promote Ao dai’s heritage value, aiming for UNESCO recognition.
Over 40 designers, models, and students showcased collections inspired by the four seasons, regional cultures, and the Vietnam Women’s Union’s symbolic dove, representing peace and aspiration.
The programme underlined Ao dai’s evolving role in modern society, bridging tradition and innovation while highlighting the strength and grace of Vietnamese women.
Each collection drew inspiration from Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage and natural landscapes, embodying a blend of traditional values and contemporary fashion, with the shared goal of elevating Ao dai as a global cultural treasure./.
The elegant Vietnamese ao dai is not only a cherished tradition but also embraced enthusiastically by locals in everyday life and becomes a powerful symbol of the city's vibrant tourism scene.
The highlight of the 11th HCM City Ao Dai Festival, themed “Vietnamese Ao Dai - Rising Vietnam”, is a mass folk dance with around 3,000 participants, expected to draw over 50,000 attendees from across the city.
In celebration of the 115th anniversary of International Women’s Day (March 8, 1910 -2025) and other significant national events, the Vietnam Women’s Union has launched "Ao Dai Week" from March 1 to 8, 2025. This initiative aims to spread awareness, inspire community engagement, and reinforce the responsibility of preserving and promoting Vietnam’s cultural heritage.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
The cultural event in Canberra not only fostered cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Australia but also contributed to promoting Vietnam’s image internationally