Aodai - the special costume of Viet Nam woman

Ao dai Viet Nam appears in Vietnamese dictionary also is”ao dai” ,  it demonstrates for the nationalist beauty of this traditional costume.

Through the years with much changes, the only thing can realize that traditional dress of Vietnamese people doesn’t mixed with the different cultures is two types” ao dai”. Ao dai Viet Nam appears in English dictionary is still’’ ao dai’, it demonstrates for the nationalist beauty of this traditional costume. Many people guest that “ao dai Viet Nam” is the same as the Chinese costume, but the Chinese costume appeared in the 1920 meanwhile ao dai Viet nam had appeared many long time ago. It proves ao dai is the different culture of Viet Nam, only the Vietnamese has.

Even if Vietnamese doesn’t  wear Ao dai as a casual clothes, Ao dai still is a formal clothes which use for important occasions like nationalist festival.

Now, let contemplate the everlasting beauty of Ao dai.

Once upon the time, when the textile technical is still simple, fabric was woven into small piece so that people have to merge four pieces into a shirt so they call four piece shirt. Shirt is included two pieces behind merge in middle of back, edge of two pieces is sewed together and hide, two pieces front tied up and let down. The people who wear this shirt don’t need to buttoning. This is the picture of simple Ao dai in the past.

In the 1884, the Europe’s culture came to Viet Nam and brought many changes for Ao dai. Ao dai become a new version same as today.

After Ha Noi College of Art was established, there are many artists was devoted to Aodai and design more style, make Ao dai to be close with many peoples. The bold breakthrough contribute to forming Aodai today is “Le mur” style which was invented by Cat Tuong – artist in 1939.diffirent with the old Aodai, “Le mur” show the Body’s curve with many part like Europe style include inflated sleeve, heart cutting neck.

60s-70s, Aodai show the best charm of woman, waistline was smaller than before. Some peoples also use rope to make their waistline smaller.

To add femininity, peoples move buttons front to shoulders.

 Since 70s Aodai official have been established and keep all the beautiful from now. Overcome many times of war and development, Aodai still is a logo  of Viet Nam woman.

Aodai also become a special clothes because each shirt just make for one person, who have unique specifications, cannot mass produce. Also just for one person, when Aodai is worn up, it’s so beautiful.

 Doesn’t need too picky in how to wear, with woman, Aodai combine with silk pants is beautiful and luxury.

Aodai also become an indispensable clothes when Viet Nam woman go abroad, especially Saigon woman, prosperous life and influential style from US cause Saigon woman have diverse Aodai style, activity, with many color, pattern, composition.

Also in 60s, Aodai had another change, more beauty and charm. That is Aodai with open neck (also called boat neck) design by wife of Ngo Dinh Nhu – Mrs Tran Le Xuan.

Aodai with open neck which famous with Aodai Mrs. Nhu was had strong opposition because it go against tradition, habits and customs. Now, peoples is interested in Aodai with open neck because of comfortable and suitable for tropical climates.

Now, Woman in Viet Nam have many choice for a costume, but they usually choose Aodai for the special occasion. it is the special clothes from the past to the present and go to forever...