Vietnamese Ao Dai bridges cultural ties between Vietnam and Singapore
VOV.VN - Ao dai, Vietnam’s traditional long dress, has taken centre stage at an East Asian cultural showcase in Singapore, blending traditional Vietnamese fabrics and motifs with Peranakan influences to promote heritage, deepen mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the two countries.
The programme, part of a state banquet recently hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore to mark Vietnam’s 81st National Day (September 2), featured the “From Roots to Future” collection by designer Ho Tran Da Thao.
The showcase was attended by senior Vietnamese and Singaporean leaders as well as more than 400 guests from the diplomatic corps, government agencies and the Singaporean business community.
The collection brought Vietnamese-inspired motifs into contemporary designs using silk, lotus silk and hand embroidery and embellishment techniques. Traditional patterns and materials were reinterpreted in modern forms while retaining the distinctive character of Vietnam’s iconic national dress.
The collection was also presented in dialogue with Peranakan culture, a longstanding cultural tradition in Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia. The combination created a shared cultural space in which each tradition retained its own identity. It also highlighted the diversity and interconnectedness of Southeast Asian cultures.
The collection’s title, “From Roots to Future,” reflects the idea of continuity between heritage and the present. Cultural values passed down through generations were reinterpreted through contemporary design, creating new ways to introduce Vietnamese heritage to international audiences.
A notable feature of the presentation was its cast of Vietnamese women living and working in Singapore. Their participation extended the cultural showcase beyond the professional runway, linking the event to the daily lives and experiences of the Vietnamese community in Singapore.
Through Ao dai, music and the participation of the Vietnamese community in Singapore, the programme offered an accessible and engaging way to introduce Vietnamese culture while encouraging greater understanding and connection between the peoples of Vietnam and Singapore.
Hue stages exhibition and performance on Ao Dai tailoring and dressing heritage
VOV.VN - The Hue Museum of Fine Arts on July 7 opened an exhibition "Knowledge of Hue Ao Dai Tailoring and Dressing", featuring performances that introduced the evolution of the Vietnamese Ao Dai while promoting Hue's cultural heritage to visitors and the wider public.
