Spreading love through the ao dai

With the desire to share and spread love, the program "Handing Over Ao Dai - Honoring Vietnamese Beauty" implemented by the Southern Khanh Hoa Women Entrepreneurs Branch has brought the ao dai closer to many women. Through the donated ao dai, the program not only brings joy to disadvantaged women but also contributes to preserving and spreading the beauty of the traditional costume. 

When the ao dai becomes a bridge of love

In October, at the ao dai collection point of the Southern Khanh Hoa Women Entrepreneurs Branch, members were busy receiving, inspecting, and sorting the outfits. Each ao dai set was arranged by style, color, and size to make it convenient for women to choose. To prepare the source of ao dai, about 2 months before the handover day, branch members actively mobilized members, businesses, female cadres, employees, teachers, and benefactors to join hands and contribute. Most of them were ao dai previously worn for work, artistic performances, or participating in events. Although no longer worn frequently by their owners, these ao dai still continue to hold value when handed to those in need.

Having worked in the education sector for more than 20 years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet (Phan Rang Ward) has quite a few ao dai for work. Upon learning about the program, she thought this was an opportunity for these seldom-used outfits to be passed on to those in need, while helping women who cannot afford to buy ao dai have more choices. “I think my outfits can help others. This is a practical activity that both avoids waste and brings joy to women in need,” Ms. Nguyet shared.

Accompanying the program over the past 3 years, Ms. Cao Thi Dieu Nu, a member of the Southern Khanh Hoa Women Entrepreneurs Chapter, realized that the activity brings practical joy to many women. Through her interactions, she understood that not everyone can afford to buy an ao dai to wear on important family occasions or during local community activities. Therefore, being able to personally choose a suitable ao dai not only helps women save on expenses, but also brings joy and confidence when wearing the traditional attire. “I also wish to have a beautiful ao dai to wear on important occasions. From that thought, I understand even more the wishes of women who cannot afford an ao dai. Some people come to choose an ao dai with great joy upon finding a suitable one, because they had never had the chance to own an ao dai of their own before. I hope the program not only supports women materially, but also brings beautiful experiences, helping everyone feel more confident on memorable occasions,” Ms. Nu shared.

Preserving traditional values 

Ms. Hoang Chuyen - Vice Chairwoman of the Southern Khanh Hoa Women Entrepreneurs Chapter said that the program “Handing Over Ao Dai - Honoring Vietnamese Beauty” has been implemented by the Southern Khanh Hoa Women Entrepreneurs Chapter since 2023. The idea for the program stemmed from the reality that many women have an ao dai tailored for special occasions, but rarely have the opportunity to wear it again afterwards. Meanwhile, there are still women who wish to have an ao dai to wear when attending weddings, events, or local activities, but cannot afford to buy one. From that, she thought of connecting and encouraging people to donate ao dai that are no longer used frequently, helping the garments continue to realize their value and reach those in need.

After 3 years of implementation, the program has gifted more than 400 ao dai to women. According to Ms. Chuyen, the organizers' joy lies not only in the number of ao dai given away, but also in the moments when women happily choose, try on, and find a suitable outfit. Some look for an ao dai to attend a relative's wedding, while others wish to wear traditional attire on special occasions, something they previously could not afford to do. Such images provide further motivation for the chapter to maintain and expand the activity on various occasions throughout the year, not only on women's holidays but also at local cultural events.

Each ao dai given away not only brings joy and confidence to the recipient, but also conveys care and sharing among women. Through these simple deeds, the program contributes to awakening pride in the national culture, allowing the ao dai to continue being present in meaningful moments of every woman's life and to be preserved and passed down through generations. “I hope the program will continue to be maintained and spread even more widely. Each ao dai given away is not only a material contribution, but also brings joy and confidence to the recipient. Through this, we also hope to contribute to preserving the cultural beauty of Vietnam, so that the ao dai continues to be present in daily life and community activities,” Ms. Chuyen shared. 

THANH HIEU