Áo Dài: History and Significance in Vietnamese Culture

    There are many things that deeply impress people about Vietnam, among them is the Áo Dài. Those who know about Vietnamese culture or have visited Vietnam are often fond of the Áo Dài. Áo Dài is Vietnam's national outfit; it is usually worn during special occasions such as Tet, holidays, or weddings. Beside special occasions, Vietnamese high school girls also wear Áo Dài to class everyday.

This article was jointly written by Neil Nguyen and Isabella Nga Lai.

Looking at my mom’s old school pictures, (I) Isabella was inspired to write this article about one of the key essence of Vietnamese culture: the Ao Dai.  Coincidentally, Neil also did a write-up about the ao dai so we decided to combine our two pieces into this story today. The beauty and gracefulness of this dress leave a deep impression in foreigners  who visit Vietnam, and it has a strong effect in our hearts as well.

There are many things that deeply impress people about Vietnam, among them is the Áo Dài. Those who know about Vietnamese culture or have visited Vietnam are often fond of the Áo Dài. Áo Dài is Vietnam’s national outfit; it is usually worn during special occasions such as Tet, holidays, or weddings. Beside special occasions, Vietnamese high school girls also wear Áo Dài to class everyday.

Let’s have a close look at the Áo Dài:

(courtesy of Tran The Vinh)

Nut bam than ao: hooks (used as fasteners) and holes
Ong tay: sleeve
Duong ben: inside seam
Nut moc ket thuc: main hook and hole
Tà sau: back flap
Khuy co: collar button
Co áo: collar
Duong may: seam
Ong tay: sleeve
Kích (eo): waist
Tà truoc: front flap
Tà sao: back flap

History of Áo Dài:

The origins of Áo Dài trace back to 18th century where ‘Lord Nguyen Phúc Khoát of Hue decreed that both men and women at his court needed to adorn trousers and a gown with buttons down the front. Writer Lê Quý Dôn described the newfangled outfit as the áo dài (long shirt)’.

(courtesy of Kauffner)

In the 19th century, Áo Dài evolved to áo ng? thân: ‘The áo ng? thân has two flaps sewn together in the back, two flaps sewn together in the front, and a “baby flap” hidden underneath the main front flap. The gown appears to have two-flaps with slits down both sides, a feature preserved in the present day Áo Dài.’

In 1930, Cát Tường, a designer of Hanoi, created Áo Dài Le Mur with the inspiration from áo ng? thân and Paris fashion.
In 1950, the designers in Saigon tightened the fit to create the modern Áo Dài.
While its origins date back to ancient Vietnamese clothing, the modern version of the dress has transformed with foreign influences.  Nevertheless, the signature style is not lost: the ao dai is described as a tight-fitting silk tunic worn over pantaloons.
And there we have it as it is today! (with some fashionable variations).

(courtesy of xcanbiet)

Ao Dai’s colors and significance
Ao Dai comes in many different styles.  The color  indicates the wearer’s age and status.  Young girls wear the white Ao Dai, a typical school uniform which is often considered as the world’s most elegant and graceful school attire.  This white garment symbolizes youthful innocence and the wearer’s coming of age.  One of the most marvelous scene in Vietnam is when hundreds of school girls doned in white Ao Dai leave the gate of their school.  This sea of innocence and purity can melt the most hardened of hearts.
Ao Dai with soft pastel shades are commonly worn by older, unmarried girls in her mid-to-late 20′s.  Younger girls can also wear these colors, but typically only to special occasions.  Married women wear ao dai in strong, vibrant colors, usually over white or black pants.
Ao Dai Contests
Occasionally, there would be ao dai contests.  Usually held at Tet festival pageants (Read more on Tet Festivals around the US in OneVietnam’s blog article Spring Festival of Love), ao dai holds a large significance in Vietnamese traditions.
The Ao Dai Significance
OneVietnam Network loves the ao dai.  As a girl (Isabella), I believe that this dress is a national symbol of femininity.  As a boy (Neil), I enjoy the elegance and grace exuded when I see women wearing it.  How do you view the Ao Dai?

Source: onevietnam

Chau Doc - Next to the border to Cambodia

Chau Doc is home for many Khmer, Cham and Chinese and is only a few kilometers from the Cambodian border. The cultural diversity is obvious: the little town has many historical sites, such as the Thoai Ngoc Hau mausoleum and the Quan Cong temple. Chau Doc is located on the Hau Giang diffluence (Bassac River). There is lively boat traffic on the river and also a colourful floating market. The street market is worth a visit too.

Since the opening of the borders in 2000 there was a real boom. Many visitors who travel from Vietnam to Cambodia are passing the nice city. From here there are daily connections to Phnom Penh by speedboat (approx. 5h).

Chau Doc is one of the few places in the delta, which has an excellent hotel: The Victoria Hotel, which is situated directly by the river and offers a magnificent view of the floating houses and fish farms. There are numerous of these floating fish farms and floating houses under which people cultivate fish and freshwater shrimps in nets and wire baskets - a major export product of the region. Since larger companies are now on land this traditional way of fish farming in this particular way is dying out. Mainly catfish and tilapia are being cultivated. Many fish-processing plants have now settled in the neighborhood.

The Cham villages are on the opposite side of the river, near the floating houses and are accessible by boat. Here you can visit the great and modern Chau Giang mosque and the Koranic school which is affiliated with it.

High mountains - once islands in the sea

The surrounding mountains, the highest mountain is 700 meters high, are an extremely rare sight in the Mekong delta. These mountains once were islands in the sea, which were integrated into the landmass by the spread of alluvial land by the Mekong river.

The city of Chau Doc is also a starting point for excursions to the holy Sam Mountain (about 5 km away). On this 230 m high mountain you can have a gorgeous view of Chau Doc, the surrounding plantations, rice fields, small canals and the mighty Hau River, up to the Cambodian border. You can climb the mountain either by foot in about 45 minutes (2 km one way) or by a motorbike taxi (Xe om). Along the way there are numerous stations with refreshments and even a café at the top. Halfway you can find the newly built Tay An temple. The Sam Mountain is the fitness centre of Chau Doc, many locals gather here early in the morning for their morning exercise.

The highest mountain in the region Cam Mountain (716 meters) is located about 40 km south of Chau Doc and attracts many Vietnamese tourists. International tourists are rare.

Colourful Temples

In the town situated at the bottom of Sam Mountain are many important places for pilgrims, such as the temple of Lady Xu and the magnificent decorated Tay An Pagoda, which was built in 1847 with influences from Hinduism and Islam. They belong to the most popular temples in Southern Vietnam. Because of the numerous pilgrims, this is a very lively place.

The smelly Mam-fish belongs to the culinary specialty of the region. This fish is basically left over after the fish sauce production (Nuoc Mam). Numerous factories, which produce the fish sauce, are located in the vicinity of Chau Doc.

About 20 km from Chau Doc is the bird sanctuary Tra Su. People who want to visit Tra Su Forest should calculate at least 3 hours to see everything (for more information see Tra Su Forest).

Between Chau Doc and Long Xuyen you can find the archaeological site Oc Eo. This is believed to have been an important port city in the kingdom of Funan, who ruled the Mekong delta between the first and seventh centuries. Most of the excavations however were brought to the museums in Can Tho and Saigon.

Source: vietnamexplorienttravel