Meritorious Artist Hai Phuong: Ao dai is a source of pride that helps shape culture when it goes out into the world.

Zither artist Hai Phuong, artisan Nam Tuyen, designer Anna Hanh Le... and other guests participated in the discussion on 'Developing sustainable ao dai craft' at the closing event of the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Cultural Festival 2025.

Many activities at the closing ceremony of Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Cultural Festival 2025

On October 19, the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Association coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street Company to organize a series of events related to Ao Dai such as giving away Ao Dai - Breath of the City; photo exhibition with the theme Ao Dai Journey - Imprint of a Creative City; introducing new designs; raising funds to support tailors; organizing a discussion... The events marked the end of the more than 4-month journey of the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Cultural Festival 2025.

Ho Chi Minh City Book Street becomes a fashion show, introducing collections of designers and ao dai artisans

Photo: LX

Within the framework of the program, the seminar on Sustainable Development of Ao Dai profession had the participation of designer Anna Hanh Le - Acting President of the Ao Dai Association of Ho Chi Minh City, artisan Nam Tuyen, Meritorious Artist Hai Phuong (Head of Traditional Music Department, Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music)... The speakers discussed and shared about preserving the traditional values ​​of Ao Dai, developing the brand and market in the contemporary flow, as well as training the next generation.

With nearly 50 years of artistic activities, Meritorious Artist Hai Phuong is associated with the ao dai and the zither in every performance. For the female artist, the ao dai has become a close companion in her artistic journey. "Up to now, I always wear the ao dai when going on stage. When going abroad, not only when standing on stage but also when walking on the street, as long as I wear the ao dai, people will recognize that it is Vietnam. Another special thing is that when we and foreigners, for example Japan, both wear ao dai, but when two people walk side by side, we can still recognize which is the Vietnamese woman. That is a unique cultural beauty, a pride that helps us shape our culture when going out into the world ," the female artist shared.

Artisan Nam Tuyen, Meritorious Artist Hai Phuong and designer Anna Hanh Le shared at the discussion

Photo: LX

Creativity and innovation in ao dai need to be based on core elements.

Artisan Nam Tuyen has nearly 40 years of experience in tailoring, and is always passionate about preserving the five-panel ao dai. He is concerned about the balance between traditional identity and modern creativity on the ao dai. Designer Nam Tuyen shared that the innovation of the ao dai needs to be based on the core elements and quintessence of the ao dai. The 6X artist shared: "I often compare the ao dai to the cultural identity of the nation. When understanding the core elements, all creativity must originate from a deep understanding of every stitch, fabric, and fold. If we understand the nature of the ao dai, then no matter how creative we are, when looking at it, people will know it is a Vietnamese ao dai."

According to him, designers play an important role in creating beautiful shapes and designs and inspiring a love of wearing ao dai among young people. "The most important thing is that the designer must truly love ao dai, to breathe life into each product. Even if there are changes and creative designs, it is still seen as an ao dai, we cannot create something else and then say it is an ao dai. When every Vietnamese person understands and appreciates cultural and traditional values, ao dai will still exist sustainably," said Mr. Nam Tuyen.

Within the framework of the event, the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Association, the Ho Chi Minh City Elegant Ladies Association and the Women's Unions of wards in Ho Chi Minh City presented the "Skills - Future" livelihood fund to 50 tailors and embroiderers in difficult circumstances.

Photo: Organizing Committee

Meanwhile, designer Anna Hanh Le believes that maintaining identity is not enough, it needs to be harmoniously combined with international standards. For ao dai to integrate internationally, she believes that designers need to create products that meet international fashion standards in terms of shape, material and technique. The acting president of the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Association also said that the association is implementing training activities, workshops, introductions and cooperation with businesses to build a sustainable development ecosystem for the profession.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nsut-hai-phuong-ao-dai-la-niem-tu-hao-giup-dinh-hinh-van-hoa-khi-ra-the-gioi-18525102001552806.htm