Knowledge of tailoring and wearing Hue ao dai is included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage.

August 12. The People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province announced that the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism has just issued Decision No. 2320/QD-BVHTTDL dated August 9, 2024 on including the Hue Ao Dai sewing and wearing knowledge (Thua Thien Hue province) in the List of national intangible cultural heritage.

According to information from the Department of Culture and Information of Thua Thien Hue province, in 1744, after ascending the throne at Phu Xuan government, Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat issued many policies, reorganized the apparatus and mentioned the reform of royal costumes. The Ao Dai was focused on, treasured and became the main costume of the people in the Dang Trong region, affirming cultural autonomy.

In 1802, King Gia Long intended to change the costumes throughout the country but failed to do so. From 1826 to 1837, King Minh Mang himself drastically changed the costumes throughout the country; from then on, the Ao Dai was widely and uniformly applied nationwide.

Thua Thien Hue is a famous locality for its ao dai tailoring profession with many famous brands.

In Hue, the Ao Dai has become a familiar, beloved 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.

Hue Ao Dai tailoring shops are mainly concentrated in Gia Hoi - Cho Dinh, Kim Long, Vy Da, Phu Cam... These are lands with long-standing historical and cultural traditions, densely populated areas and where families and clans with a tradition of tailoring Hue Ao Dai live. The technical steps of cutting, sewing, tying the hem, and making buttons are all carefully taken care of by artisans and Ao Dai tailors. Therefore, the Ao Dai is not simply a garment but a work of art, containing the value of Hue cultural identity.

In recent years, Hue has launched and promoted the preservation and revival of traditional ao dai (including both men's and women's ao dai). In particular, on March 29, 2023, the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province approved the project "Hue - Capital of Ao Dai". One of the important goals of this project is to preserve and promote the value of knowledge in tailoring and wearing Hue ao dai. This is a premise for effectively implementing activities to promote and honor Hue ao dai, promote economic and tourism development, affirm Hue ao dai in the international community, towards developing the brand Hue - Capital of Ao Dai.

Dr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Department of Culture and Information of Thua Thien Hue province, said that Hue Ao Dai is truly a special handicraft industry to create impressive products. Not to mention the many types of accessories and jewelry that go with it. In addition, the Ao Dai cultural industry also opens up many other aspects such as souvenirs, toys, accessories, cinema, fine arts, etc. This is the direction for developing the cultural industry, serving domestic and export needs, creating jobs, bringing revenue to businesses, increasing income for people, while preserving and spreading the values ​​imbued with Hue's cultural identity.

Therefore, the inclusion of Hue Ao Dai sewing and wearing knowledge in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List will help the locality develop and further spread the Hue Ao Dai brand in the coming time.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/tri-thuc-may-mac-ao-dai-hue-duoc-dua-vao-danh-muc-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-20240812115649441.htm