A collection of áo dài by designer Lan Hương presented at the event. VNS Photo Thuý Tình

SUWON — Nguyễn Thị Tuyến and her 10-year-old daughter got up at 5am and eagerly prepared for the We Are Together festival held on April 27-28 in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

The little girl was one among special models performing traditional costumes of Việt Nam and South Korea during the festival.

Tuyến is one among many Vietnamese brides who married to Korean husbands and settled down in South Korea. She has lived in the country for 13 years.

Initiated by the Korea and Việt Nam Economic and Cultural Association (KOVECA), the annual festival has been held for three times.

The festival helps strengthen friendship between Việt Nam and South Korea, makes Vietnamese expatriates feel closer to home, and provides interesting experience for participants and makes Vietnamese culture known Korean people.

Tuyến said the festival has become an important event for Vietnamese community in Suwon.

“There are many Vietnamese people living in this city, including families, workers, students and Vietnamese brides like me,” she said.

“I am lucky that I have a happy family and South Korea now becomes my second homeland. We all wait for this festival because it provides a good chance for us to enjoy Vietnamese culture.”

The fashion show introduced collections of áo dài by Vietnamese designer Lan Hương and hanbok by designer Park Mi-yeon.

Hương presented áo dài inspired by lotus, traditional costumes of ethnic people in the Central Highlands region and flower seasons of Hà Nội. Meanwhile, Park introduced collections of hanbok in traditional style, modern style and wedding style.

Hương has more than 20 years designing áo dài and she has been known in Việt Nam as a master of áo dài. Both of the designers have presented áo dài and hanbok at many international events.

Other highlights included traditional games, art performance and cuisine presentation of the two countries. Participants also have a chance to try on áo dài and hanbok.

Pop idols from Việt Nam Thùy Chi, Trọng Hiếu and Uyên Linh from Việt Nam performed at the festival. Gummy and Suwon City Choir represented Korea at the festival.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyễn Vũ Tú said: “This year, Việt Nam and South Korea celebrate the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship. We have a good co-operation in all fields such as politics, economy, culture, education and people exchange.”

“The success of the We Are Together festival helps boost the ties between two countries,” said Tú.

There are nearly 300,000 Vietnamese people living in South Korea, according to Ahn Hye-young, vice mayor of Gyeonggi Province.

"Gyeonggi Province has a partnership between some provinces of Việt Nam like Hải Dương and Nghệ An, we look forward to having further co-operation with Việt Nam," she said.

"We expect that more festivals like this will be held to strengthen the ties between us. All designers and artists performing at the event are remarkable and have devoted to promote the national culture to the world." — VNS