“ Ao dai ngu than ” (literally ‘five-piece ao dai’), a traditional Vietnamese garment many thought died out with the end of the Nguyen Imperial Dynasty, seems to be making a comeback amongst Vietnamese youth, according to cultural expert Dr. Thai Kim Lan. But what makes ao dai ngu than different from modern ao dai? “The [feudal-style] ao dai has five long flaps which represent the parents, parents-in-law and the wearer. Its five buttons symbolize the five constant virtues of a decent person – kindness, decorum, uprightness, wisdom and faithfulness,” Dr. Lan, explained, adding that the style of dress was first created 200 years under the direction of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat. A respected garment Ao dai ngu than , the precursor to modern ao dai, has been growing in popularity among young Vietnamese over the past few years, with communities dedicated to the period dress, such as Vietnam Centre, Dinh lang Viet, and Dai Viet Co Phong, thriving on Facebook. Local tailors, including Y Van Hien, Hoa Nien, and Great Vietnam are also playing their parts in bringing a more traditional style of ao dai to the masses. During holidays and traditional festivals – times when many Vietnamese don ao dai for photoshoots – it seems many young Vietnamese are opting for ao dai ngu than and proudly sharing their pictures in the ancient style of dress on social media. Filmmakers have also been getting in on the hype by incorporating the vintage design into their productions. Supplied photo shows singer Jun Pham posing in traditional five-part ao dai “I’m glad that our youth are gradually picking up interest in domestic culture. Vietnamese culture is as diverse and nuanced as any other culture,” Vietnamese singer Jun Pham expressed in a statement to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. During the 2021 Lunar New Year holiday, ao dai ngu than was far and away the most popular outfit amongst Vietnamese social media users, including Jun Pham, who proudly …
[Read more...] about Young Vietnamese fuel revival of feudal-style ao dai
