Tourists visit áo dài exhibition. VNA Photo

THỪA THIÊN HUẾ – The 2024 Huế Community Áo Dài (long dress) Week was launched on June 24 in the central province of Thừa Thiên - Huế, aiming to preserving and promoting the beauty of the Vietnamese traditional costume.

Director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports Phan Thanh Hải emphasised that the event will not only help people and tourists access and better understand áo dài but also contribute to educating the love for the traditional cultural values of the nation, promoting culture, attracting tourism, and boosting socio-economic development.

The programme, which will last to June 30, includes a wide range of activities, such as a fine art exhibition and space for experiencing, displaying the tailoring skills of artisans from the three regions, a pilgrimage to the tomb of Lord Nguyễn Phúc Khoát who "gave birth" to áo dài, the introduction of a book on five-flap áo dài, a seminar on standardising the traditional costume, an áo dài design and performance contest featuring 12 Zodiac motifs on postage stamps, and a cycling for the environment.

Response activities are expected to be implemented in agencies, units and schools across the province.

Nguyễn Phong, from the Huế garment association, said that not only known as the birthplace of the five-flap ao dai, Huế is also renowned for its traditional craft of making the traditional costume. - VNA/VNS