Artists, ambassadors bringing back áo dài for men

For men: Members of Đình Làng For men: Group wearing áo dài. Events honouring the costume will be held at the Old Quarter. - Photo courtesy of the group

An art performance featuring áo dài will be held on Friday at the Old Quarter Culture Exchange Centre, 50 Đào Duy Từ Street, Ha Noi.

The event includes a fashion show of traditional long robes collected and designed by Đình Làng Việt (Vietnamese Communal House) Group and long robes for women by designer Lan Anh.

The Indian and Indonesian ambassadors will also attend the event. Traditional costumes from India, Indonesia and Russia will also be on show.

“Traditional long robes will be worn by amateur models from Đình Làng Việt Group at an installation space reflecting Vietnamese society in the 19th-20th centuries,”said researcher Nguyễn Đức Bình from Đình Làng Việt Group.

The models will wear the long robes and perform actitivites such as walking down the street, reading a book, holding a fan and writing calligraphy.

Although áo dài has not been popular with men for perhaps 70 years, women wear them on special occasions and, at times, some schoolchildren.

Artists and cultural groups are working to encourage Vietnamese men to wear áo dài. Bình said he tries to wears the robe more often.

The group has carried out serious research on architecture and sculpture as well as the threats that dinh (communal houses) face in the form of encroachment and ravages of time.

Members are working with other experts to promote traditional cultural values such as costume and music.There have been many modern áo dài designs for women, but costumes for men receive little attention, painter Trần Mạnh Đức, member of the organising board, said.

“For both men and women, áo dài is not a costume but cultural heritage of the nation which has been preserved for centuries,” said Đức.

A seminar focusing on traditional long robe for men and its usage in the modern life will be held on November 18.

It’s a part of the series of activities entitled "Origin", organised at the Old Quarter from November 17- 26 to celebrate the Việt Nam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23).

Trần Thuý Lan, vice chairwoman of the Old Quarter management board, said an exhibition featuring traditional long robes and introducing the former examinations system under feudalism would also be held from November 17- 26 at the Hà Nội Old Quarter Culture Exchange Centre.

Traditional tea culture will be in the spotlight at Heritage House (87 Mã Mây Street), featuring the participation of tea masters.

Meanwhile, visitors to Kim Ngân Temple (42-44 Hàng Bạc Street) will be introduced to folklore music such as ca trù (ceremonial singing) and chèo (traditional opera).

These performances will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings. Entrance is free.