Some designs by La Hằng to be presented in the Old Quarter in a series of activities to celebrate Heritage Day. — VNA/VNS Photo Lê Sơn

HÀ NỘI — A fashion show, photo exhibition and silk weaving demonstrations are among the activities taking place in Hà Nội's Old Quarter to celebrate Việt Nam Cultural Heritage Day.

The fashion show featuring designers Trịnh Bích Thủy (Trịnh Fashion), La Hằng (Áo Dài La Hằng) and Thùy Anh (TAF). They will present silk áo dài (traditional long dresses) collections made from the traditional material of Việt Nam.

While Hằng finds inspiration from patterns in Hàng Trống folk paintings, designer Anh presents simple white dresses with printed patterns. Designer Thủy will showcase a collection of dresses for the autumn/winter season.

The fashion show will take place on November 22 at the Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Centre, 50 Đào Duy Từ Street.

An exhibition on silk weaving will be taking place at the same venue until December 15.

Through the exhibition, visitors will learn about the traditional trade and all the processes, from raising silk worms to dying the cloth.

Artisan Phan Thị Thuận is the only person in the country who can control thousands of silkworms to weave natural silk blankets. The silk worms are set on a flat mat within wooden frames to make the blankets. She has also mastered the secret of using lotus stems to make unique scarves of lotus silk.

A concert The Old Quarter's Musical Story by Đông Kinh Cổ Nhạc (the Ancient Music Group of Tonkin) will take place on November 23 to mark the Heritage Day. The band will present traditional musical pieces including ca trù (ceremonial singing), tuồng (classical drama) and chèo (traditional operetta).

A space for traditional tea ceremonies hosted by artisan Nguyễn Cao Sơn will be arranged at the Heritage House on 87 Mã Mây Street. He will introduce Shan Tuyết tea, a delicacy that is famous in the northern province of Yên Bái. Visitors can sample the beverage and learn the process of making and enjoying Vietnamese tea.

A photo exhibition showcasing images of Hà Nội taken by photographer Lê Bích will take place at Kim Ngân Temple on 42 Hàng Bạc Street.

An exhibition of calligraphic art and paintings will be held at Quan Đế Temple, 28 Hàng Buồm Street, showcasing artworks by Most Venerable Thích Chỉnh Tuệ.

The activities would help preserve and promote the cultural values of the nation in general and the capital in particular, according to Trần Thị Thúy Lan, vice chairwoman of the Old Quarter's management board.

“We want to introduce our traditional heritage and promote the capital as a cultural tourism destination,” Lan said.

“We are focused on creating spaces for visitors to experiment with heritage. They will try to make tea, weave silk and paint calligraphy by themselves,” she said.

“The tourists will have a chance to exchange with the artisans, and join hands to preserve and promote the nation's traditional culture.” VNS