Whether it is a formal uniform (used in State and diplomatic ceremonies) or as national apparel, Ao Dai is always the first name mentioned by the public.

At the launch of the Ao Dai Heritage project on September 8 at Casa Italia, Hanoi. Source: Italian embassy

Italian and Vietnamese fashion designers will prepare together collections inspired by the famous traditional Vietnamese dress and crafted with the best techniques of Made in Italy.

The project themed “Ao dai Heritage - The culture of Tinh thuong” is jointly implemented by Golden Heritage Group and the Italian Embassy in Hanoi, the Vietnamese Embassy in Rome, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM).

The project is organized to promote cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Italy, especially in the fashion design industry, and towards the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1973-2023).

Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro stated that the Italian Embassy in Vietnam strives to strengthen cultural exchanges between the two countries, especially in the fashion industry which is considered a strength of Italy.

“Ao dai Heritage” is a special project which fosters cultural exchanges and at the same time introduces Ao Dai – the traditional Vietnamese long dress – to the world, as well as forging cooperation opportunities in the fashion industry, said the diplomat.

ICHAM President and Golden Heritage Group CEO Michele D'Ercole emphasized, “Ao dai Heritage-the culture of Tinh thuong” is the project with the meaning of cultural exchange between Vietnam and Italy, based on the core values and advantages of each country.

The project, on the one hand, brings Vietnamese Ao Dai into fashion global arenas, on the other hand, introduces the quintessence of Italian international technology into Vietnamese traditional Ao Dai, thereby forming new values based on nation and the power of the times. The theme of the project is "love" because love is understood as "Understanding, sharing and creating solutions" - this is the core value in Vietnamese people's life.

The project is being jointly organized by the Golden Heritage team, the Italian Embassy in Vietnam, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam with the aim of celebrating the 50th anniversary of mutual ties. Source: Italian embassy

An Ao Dai collection featuring a total of 60 outfits created by Vietnamese designer Quang Hoa and Italian designer Maria Elena Di Terlizzi will be made under the project.

The schedule will see two Ao Dai fashion shows take place every year during the five-year period. Performances will be held in cities that boast special cultural and heritage values around the world.

At the press conference, designer Maria Elena Di Terlizzi shared that she hopes that anyone who has the opportunity to visit Vietnam will be able to understand the character and people here. Every Vietnamese has a story to tell and a past they want to protect. She will make those traditional features more known by embodying them on the innovative ao dai in contemporary works of art.

Designer Quang Hoa also expressed his wish that the project with traditional designs, everyday style along with bold and modern ideas, would contribute to spreading Vietnamese ao dai, becoming a popular fashion product in the world.

The collections will be presented in Vietnam and Italy starting from next year, on the occasion of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Fashion show at the press conference. Source: Italian embassy

Fashion show at the press conference. Source: baotintuc.vn

Italian designer Maria Elena Di Terlizzi and her Vietnamese peer Quang Hoa have tailored 60 'ao dai' for a showcase in Rome in March 2023, with a view to winning the hearts of European customers. Source: Italian embassy

The Ao Dai is a beautiful representation of Vietnamese culture. In popular languages like English, the phrase “Ao Dai” has no equivalent meaning. This means that this kind of costume has been automatically considered by the international community as a traditional costume of Vietnam.

In the country’s cultural and art history, Ao Dai is not only a great work of art adding to the national beauty but also a symbol of the identity and spirit of Vietnam. It conveys hidden meanings about the "proper behavior" of ancestors.

Ao Dai has also become a symbol of beauty for women, regardless of their education and social status thus it has made a great contribution to promoting the image of Vietnamese women around the world.

The traditional dresses are suitable for all ages. It has become the standard costume on formal occasions or national holidays, weddings, New Year festivals, graduation days, or in important competitions.

Beauty of Traditional Five-panel Ao Dai The Vietnamese Ao Dai is not only a kind of national costume but also contains a rich history, cultural traditions, and national spirit of the ...

Ao Dai On The Heritage Path With the theme "Ao Dai along the heritage path", the designers inspired and brought the natural landscapes or unique culture of the world heritages to ...

'Vietnam Soul' in Italy "Vietnam soul" is an event to introduce Vietnamese traditional culture held by students studying Vietnamese at the Department of Asian and North African Studies, Ca' ...