Spreading the value of Ao Dai, connecting Vietnamese culture at home and abroad

On the morning of August 9 at the Hanoi Opera House, the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association was introduced to the public with the message of spreading the value of Ao Dai - the national cultural heritage, connecting the domestic and foreign communities, towards the goal of UNESCO recognizing Ao Dai as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

This is the first major activity of the Association after its establishment, aiming to recognize Ao Dai as a national intangible cultural heritage and build a dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association officially launched to the public.

The event was attended by Ms. Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh - former Vice President, Ms. Trinh Thi Thuy - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; leaders of ministries, branches, representatives of associations and many ambassadors of countries in Vietnam.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Dr. Dang Thi Bich Lien, President of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association, expressed: “Ao dai – two simple yet sacred words – is not only a traditional costume, but also the crystallization of Vietnamese history, spirit, aesthetics and values… Ao dai does not distinguish between age, gender, region, and accompanies all Vietnamese people… becoming a ‘cultural ambassador’, a ‘ peace ambassador’ bringing Vietnamese culture to the world.”

Ms. Dang Thi Bich Lien emphasized that in contemporary life, the ao dai both preserves its traditional values and is constantly innovating to integrate with the times. The establishment of the Association is “an inevitable step, aiming to connect hearts that love the ao dai, creative hands, and research minds, to together preserve, promote and spread the beauty of the ao dai as a living heritage in the modern flow”.

According to Ms. Lien, in the coming time, the Association will focus on researching, preserving and promoting the historical, cultural and artistic values of Ao Dai; organizing promotional activities at home and abroad; connecting creative forces to form a "creative cultural ecosystem" associated with Ao Dai; consulting and recommending policies to support the preservation of Ao Dai values; and building databases and collections to serve heritage research and education .

Dr. Dang Thi Bich Lien also affirmed: “The birth of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association today is the crystallization of the passion and efforts of many generations… with the desire to build a professional, united organization, together preserving this precious heritage”. She expressed her belief that the Association will become “a bridge connecting the past – present – future, connecting Vietnam with friends around the world, contributing to enriching the national cultural life and promoting the beauty of Vietnam in the international arena”.

Previously, on August 8, the first Congress of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association for the 2025-2030 term took place in Hanoi, electing an Executive Committee of 41 members, 11 Standing Committee members and an Inspection Committee of 3 members.

Dr. Dang Thi Bich Lien - former Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism - was elected as President of the Association; Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam as Permanent Vice President; Vice Presidents include Ms. Khuc Thi Dau, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Vy, Ms. Hoang Thi Ngoc Mai, Ms. Phung Thi Thu Thuy and Mr. Do Trinh Hoai Nam.

The Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association was established under Decision No. 579/QD-BNV dated June 9, 2025 of the Ministry of Home Affairs, inheriting the operational foundation of the Vietnam Ao Dai Heritage Club, aiming to develop annual activities such as "Ao Dai Week", "Ao Dai Journey Across Vietnam", "Ao Dai School Festival", "National Ao Dai Festival" and expanding international cooperation to bring Ao Dai closer to friends around the world.

vov.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/lan-toa-gia-tri-ao-dai-ket-noi-van-hoa-viet-nam-trong-va-ngoai-nuoc-post879144.html