Recently, the Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien Hue Province held a ceremony to celebrate the recognition of “The Knowledge of Tailoring and Wearing Hue Ao Dai” as a national intangible cultural heritage. The event was participated by local residents and enthusiasts of the Hue ao dai.
The recognition ceremony took place at the Provincial Culture and Cinema Center in Thua Thien Hue. Previously, on August 9, 2024, the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism signed the decision to inscribe “The Knowledge of Tailoring and Wearing Hue Ao Dai” into the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
A group of artists in traditional Vietnamese costumes are performing Hue folk songs at the Hue Imperial City. Photo: Ngoc Khuyen
According to the Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien Hue, the history of ao dai in Hue dates back to 1744, when Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat ascended the throne in Phu Xuan (now Hue). He introduced reform in court attire, elevating the ao dai to a central role in the cultural identity of the Dang Trong region, symbolizing autonomy and cultural pride. While Emperor Gia Long in 1802 intended to implement national costume reform, it was Emperor Minh Mang, between 1826 and 1837, who successfully standardized and popularized the ao dai across the country.
Tailoring shops specializing in Hue ao dai are mainly concentrated in areas such as Gia Hoi – Cho Dinh, Kim Long, Vi Da, and Phu Cam. These regions are rich in history, culture, and densely populated, home to families and clans with longstanding traditions of crafting Hue ao dai.
According to a representative of the Department of Culture and Sports, Hue ao dai possesses a distinct uniqueness compared to ao dai from other regions, rooted in the cultural heritage of Hue, which once served as the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam’s last monarchy. Here, the refined aesthetics of royal attire, governed by strict codes, merged with the rustic beauty of folk fashion, giving Hue ao dai its distinctive charm. This blend has imbued Hue ao dai with an elegance and fluidity rarely found elsewhere.
@SGtiepthi
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Source: Vietnam Insider