For many generations, 'Ao Dai' (Vietnamese traditional long dress) has been considered a symbol containing the cultural quintessence of the Vietnamese people, adorning the beauty and charm of Vietnamese women.

Traditional 'ao dai' performances in a recent ceremony to honour the 10 most typical Women's Union chapters in Da Nang in 2024. Photo: X.D

For Da Nang women, 'Ao Dai' is not only an indispensable outfit in important events, but is also becoming more and more familiar in life.

In recent years, the culture of wearing ‘Ao Dai’ has been gradually becoming a habit of many Vietnamese women, especially in big cities.

In Da Nang, the image of the traditional ‘Ao Dai’ appears more and more in people's lives because it is the outfit chosen by women on holidays, Tet, and important anniversaries.

In performing arts activities, the ‘Ao dai’ fashion show always attracts the attention of the audience. ‘Ao Dai’ has become a uniform in many working environments because it brings a feeling of comfort and lightness to the wearers.

Ms. Hach Thi Phuong, a teacher at the Nguyen Thai Hoc Primary School based in Son Tra District, said that ‘Ao Dai’ is her preferred outfit of choice not only during holidays and Tet, but also in daily activities.

“When I teach at school, go out or take photos with family and friends, I often choose ‘Ao Dai’. I feel proud to be able to spread the graceful beauty of Vietnamese women when wearing ‘Ao Dai’" Ms. Phuong shared.

Every year, on the occasion of International Women's Day (March 8), the traditional ‘Ao Dai’ is almost the most commonly seen outfit throughout local streets.

In response to the "Viet Nam Ao Dai Week" 2024 launched by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union, the Da Nang Women's Union calls on officials, members, and women of its chapters at all levels to wear ‘Ao Dai’ during working days and organise ‘Ao Dai’ competition and performance activities.

In recent days, Da Nang women have actively shared beautiful images wearing Ao Dai on social networks. In particular, a number of Women's Union organisations in the city have had activities to honour Ao Dai.

On March 3, hundreds of members of the Women's Union chapter of Hoa Xuan Ward in Cam Le District rode bicycles to parade ‘Ao Dai’ through the streets, creating a positive spillover effect.

Chairwoman of the municipal Women's Union chapter in Hoa Xuan Ward Pham Thi Hien remarked that the cycling parade celebrated the International Women's Day, contributing to honouring the ‘Ao Dai’ of Vietnamese women.

The image of graceful women cycling in ‘Ao Dai’ shows the good qualities of Da Nang women, always appreciating tradition and becoming increasingly active.

With the special values of ‘Ao Dai’, in recent years, a series of activities have been carried out across the city to register ‘Ao Dai’ on the list of national intangible cultural heritage, towards preparing a dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition as an intangible cultural heritage.

In early February 2024, the Da Nang People's Committee approved the project on “Improving the quality of traditional education, and cultural, arts and sports activities, to support women to develop and meet the needs in the new era" during the 2024-2028 period.

Under the project, a wide range of exciting activities are held to honour and promot the value and beauty of ‘Ao Dai’ in life.

According to Chairwoman of the municipal Women's Union Hoang Thi Thu Huong, with its elegant, beautiful, and loving beauty bearing its own unique characteristics, ‘Ao Dai’ is not only a cultural heritage, a symbol of the nation, but also part of the soul of Vietnamese identity.

The municipal Women's Union asked its chapters at all levels to actively respond to activities honouring ‘Ao Dai’, especially the annual Ao Dai Week.

At the same time, attention should be paid to closely coordinating with the cultural sector to organise cultural, arts and sports activities, and ‘ao dai’ performances at all levels, thereby creating a joyful, healthy atmosphere, as well as meeting the needs and interests of members, aiming to build Vietnamese women in the new era who are "knowledgeable, ethical, healthy and responsible for themselves, their families, society and country”.

Reporting by THIEN DUYEN - Translating by M.DUNG, T.TUNG