Artisan Nghiêm Văn Đạt is one of the most distinguished tailors in Trạch Xá Traditional Áo Dài Craft Village, located in Hòa Lâm Commune, Ứng Hòa District in Hà Nội. — Photos courtesy of the Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme in Hà Nội

HÀ NỘI — Born and raised in the renowned Trạch Xá áo dài craft village, located in Hòa Lâm Commune, Ứng Hòa District in Hà Nội, artisan Nghiêm Văn Đạt has spent more than 40 years tailoring thousands of traditional Vietnamese long dresses (áo dài).

With skillful hands and unwavering dedication, he has not only preserved the traditional techniques of his ancestors but also played a vital role in elevating the Trạch Xá áo dài—now recognised as a 4-star OCOP (One Commune One Product) product of Hà Nội — on the global stage.

Artisan Nghiêm Văn Đạt has devoted his entire life to perfecting his tailoring craft.

Đạt is one of the most respected tailors in Trạch Xá Village. Born in 1967, he learned the trade from his grandfather and father at an early age. He shared: “Because tailoring often required traveling long distances, our village had a tradition of passing the craft down to sons rather than daughters. My grandfather used to work in Kinh Bắc (present-day Bắc Ninh) during festival seasons, while my father led the Bắc Sơn Tailoring Cooperative at 434 Bạch Mai Street in Hà Nội.”

Artisan Nghiêm Văn Đạt with the modern-style Trạch Xá áo dài, one of five designs recognised by Hà Nội City as 4-star OCOP products.

In 2011, with a desire to preserve and develop the craft, he and fellow artisans established the Trạch Xá Traditional Áo Dài Craft Cooperative. The goal was to enhance product quality, expand markets, and align Trạch Xá áo dài with contemporary global fashion trends.

In 2024, five unique áo dài styles created by Đạt and his team — including modern, ancient-style, hand-embroidered, traditional, and hand-painted designs—were awarded 4-star OCOP certification by Hà Nội City.

According to Ngọ Văn Ngôn, Deputy Chief of the Hà Nội New Rural Development Programme Coordination Office, “This recognition not only confirms the superior quality of Trạch Xá áo dài but also opens the door for these products to reach both national and international markets.”

Artisan Nghiêm Văn Đạt and his wife wearing traditional áo dài designed and crafted by his own hands.

Currently, over 80 per cent of the 500 households in Trạch Xá Village remain committed to the craft. Their daily efforts help preserve a rich cultural heritage and promote Vietnamese identity through each meticulously tailored áo dài.

Creating a perfect áo dài is an art that demands deep understanding and precision. “It starts with choosing the right fabric, then carefully measuring the customer to ensure the dress highlights their figure,” Đạt explained. One hallmark of Trạch Xá tailoring is the use of vertical hand-stitching, resulting in seamless inner linings and straight, even stitches on the outside — proof of masterful craftsmanship.

Artisan Nghiêm Văn Đạt (second from the right) and members of the Trạch Xá Traditional Áo Dài Craft Cooperative participating in cultural festivals to promote Trạch Xá tailoring.

These handcrafted pieces, made with natural materials and heartfelt care, are more than clothing. They are cultural icons that carry Vietnam’s traditional elegance into the modern world.

In today’s fast-evolving fashion landscape, maintaining a foothold in the market requires both preservation and innovation. Trạch Xá artisans remain committed to the traditional áo dài form while constantly learning and creating new designs that appeal to modern tastes.

Đạt emphasised that for Trạch Xá áo dài to gain international recognition, artisans must actively promote the craft. Many have opened shops in major cities such as Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Hải Phòng, Huế, and Đà Nẵng—and even overseas. His own four sons each run a tailoring shop in Hà Nội or Ninh Bình, continuing the family legacy.

Young women in Hà Nội wearing modern-style áo dài designed by artisan Nghiêm Văn Đạt.

Thanks to his tireless efforts, artisan Nghiêm Văn Đạt has become a bridge between past and present, tradition and modernity. In early 2024, the Trạch Xá áo dài craft was officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage — an acknowledgment of the immense contributions by Mr. Đạt and the Trạch Xá community.

In 2021, the Chairman of the Hà Nội People’s Committee formally awarded Nghiêm Văn Đạt the title of "City Artisan" in recognition of his dedication to preserving and promoting Vietnamese cultural values. — VNS

The article is published under the coordination of the Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme in Hà Nội.