HÀ NỘI — Designer Đỗ Trịnh Hoài Nam will present a collection of áo dài (traditional Vietnamese dress) with brocade patterns during a festival dedicated to brocade held in the Central Highlands province of Đắk Nông on January 5-7.

He presented some designs from the collection at a press conference to announce the festival on Tuesday in Hà Nội.

The unique collection is inspired by brocade of ethnic minority people in the Central Highlands.

The brocade culture festival will be held to commemorate 15 years since the establishment of Đắk Nông Province.

It also aims to preserve the art of brocade, according to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tô Thị Ngọc Hạnh.

“Đắk Nông Province houses more than 40 ethnic groups with diversified and unique culture,” she said.

“Brocade is an important part of the local culture. It has a strong attachment to the daily life and festival occasions of the people.

“The festival honours the remarkable culture of Vietnamese ethnic groups and encourages them to preserve the traditional brocade craftsmanship. It also creates a place for local artisans to exchange experience,” Hạnh said.

“We expect that the festival will strengthen the solidarity among communities, encourage people to preserve and learn the making of brocade,” she said.

The festival will include an exhibition on brocade culture in the Central Highlands and other regions of the country, a brocade weaving presentation, culinary experiences and art performances. Troupes from Indonesia, Thailand and China will perform at the festival.

A conference on brocade culture and a brocade fashion show are also scheduled to take place. Nam will join designers Thảo Giang and Ngọc Hân to present designs inspired by brocade.

On the occasion, Hạnh introduced the local investment promotion conference, which will be held under the theme of ‘Đắk Nông – Potential and Opportunities’.

During the event, the organisers will present opportunities and policies for investment. It will see signing ceremonies between local and foreign businesses, with expected deals worth more than VNĐ92 trillion (about US$400 million). — VNS