Celebrating the 110th anniversary of International Women's Day (March 8) and 1,980 years of the Hai Ba Trung uprising, and responding to "Ao Dai - Vietnamese Cultural Heritage" campaign launched by Central Women's Union, Binh Duong Provincial Women's Union, Provincial Labor Confederation launched a campaign to respond to "Ao Dai week" among female officials, members, and workers for the week from 2 Mar 2020 to 8 Mar 2020.
Officials of provincial Women's Union wearing Ao Dai at office on the first day of the week.
"Ao dai - Vietnamese Cultural Heritage"
Since ancient times, Ao Dai is considered a traditional costume of Vietnamese women. In the long history of Vietnam, Ao Dai appeared a long time ago. Now even though there are many changes and innovations, Ao Dai has always been conserved its distinctive characteristics of Vietnamese women's soul. Up to now, there are still different opinions about the origin of Vietnamese Ao Dai, but based on historical background, researchers have come to a general conclusion, Ao Dai appeared between 38 - 42 AD.
The first to wear this outfit were the first two female generals of Vietnam - Hai Ba Trung, during the resistance war against the invading Nam Han army. Ao Dai are now popular with Vietnamese women of all ages, who wear this costume not only to go to school, to work but also in special events. In order to have a set of Ao Dai with bold cultural characteristics, tailors have to go through many different stages of variation.
Nguyen Thi Thu Hong, Chairwoman of provincial Women's Union, said, responding to the event "Ao Dai - Vietnamese Cultural Heritage", "Ao Dai week" launched by the Central Women's Union, Provincial Women's Union and Labor Confederation also encouraged officials, members and women in the whole province to wear Ao Dai from 2 to 8 March when going to work, participating in events and conferences; encouraged female officials, especially at Public Administration Center of the province and districts, towns and cities to continue wearing Ao Dai in appropriate events and conferences in March and other times of the year. Besides, Provincial Women's Union cooperated with mass media to communicate and encourage female officials, members, workers in the province to wear Ao Dai in office activities, schools, family and social events to enhance the propagation, promote Ao Dai, and confirm Vietnamese sovereignty over Ao Dai.
Charming, affectionate Ao Dai
It can be seen that the response to "The week of Ao Dai wearing" in Binh Duong was animated. At office of agencies and units from commune to provincial level, the image of women dressed in traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai was popular. These images spread throughout social networks. Nguyen Thi Minh Hang, a female official of provincial Youth Union, said: “These days, my female colleagues are very excited as wearing Ao Dai to work. It can be seen that the week of Ao Dai wearing is a very meaningful activity to honor the traditional values in social life, show the beauty and grace of Vietnamese women".
In response to this week, Women's Union of Thu Dau Mot City hosted a photo contest of Ao Dai. Contestants taking a picture of themselves wearing Ao Dai and sent to the competition. The photos showed the grace and beauty of Vietnamese women. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nga, Women's Union Chairwoman of Thu Dau Mot City, said: "The contest was to honor the traditional Ao Dai imbued with Vietnamese national cultural identity; honoring the graceful and tender beauty of Vietnamese women; creating a useful playground, healthy emulation, helping members promote their dynamism, creativity, showing talents and charm of women, training the bravery and confidence of women of all ages”.
Meanwhile, in An Phu Ward, Thuan An City, Women's Union also organized a contest "Charming Ao Dai" and attracted a large number of female officials and members. In particular, the union also effectively implemented the program "Love Ao Dai". Accordingly, during the last 2 years, Women's Union of An Phu Ward organized a collection of Ao Dai donated by teachers, female officials in the ward to present to teachers in remote areas. In 2020, the program gave 1,000 sets of Ao Dai to teachers in Di Linh district, Lam Dong province. Le Thi Thuy Kieu, Chairwoman of An Phu Ward Women's Union, Thuan An City, said: “Ao Dai we gave to the teachers were 80% new, the receivers were very happy and grateful. When we see their smiles, we were determined to organize more meaningful programs like that”.
Reported by Ngoc Nhu - Translated by Ngoc Huynh
