Dr Nguyen Duc Tri, an expert from the HCM City University of Economics, is highlighting the value of ao dai at a seminar held last week at the Ao Dai Museum in HCM City (Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn) HCM City (VNA) -Cultural experts have hailed ‘ao dai’, traditional Vietnamese dress, forthe extent to which it honours the intangible values of humanity.
Of the 13 UNESCO-recognisedintangible cultural heritages in Vietnam, seven were closely related to thegarment, the experts told a seminar titled “Ao Dai and CulturalHeritage” held recently at the Ao Dai Museum in Ho Chi MinhCity.
Huynh Ngoc Van, director of themuseum, said numerous ao dai models had been collectedand showcased at many exhibitions and seminars since 2018.
They had helped underline the garment’srole as a significant intangible cultural heritage and gradually garner publicinterest, she said.
“Feedback from these exhibitions andseminars are beneficial to the conservation and promotion of the ao dai.”
Artist Xuan Hoa, who heads the QuanHo Kinh Bac Club, said ao dai was the main costume used infolk arts all over the country.
"It is essential forauthorities to recognise the art of tailoring ao dai as anational intangible cultural heritage in future," he added.
Dr Nguyen Duc Tri, director of theHCM City University of Economics’ Institute of Tourism, said referring to thegarment, “These are invaluable treasures that cannot be forgotten.”
Tourism should not only be aboutexploiting traditional cultures but finding ways to revive and make itmeaningful to locals’ lives, he added.
Authorities need to collate allinformation about intangible cultural heritages and create interesting tourismproducts to educate Vietnamese about their traditional values, he added.
The experts have been for manyyears seeking the recognition of ao dai as anational intangible cultural heritage.
They said the traditionaldress offers a comprehensive evaluation of history. Throughits function and the habit of using, ao dai features thesocial and cultural value, art and cultural identity of the Vietnamesetradition./.
VNA
