Saadi Salama, Palestinian ambassador to Vietnam shared about the Vietnamese ao ba ba (loose-fitting blouse) and the Southern region. |
According to Ambassador Saadi Salama, developing trade and investment relations with countries, provinces, and cities in the region should be accompanied by the promotion of cultural characteristics of the region.
Festival of ao ba ba (loose-fitting blouse)-Hau Giang 2023 will be an opportunity for international friends to learn about the province’s potential in promoting the development of economic, trade, and investment relations.
Saadi Salama, Palestinian ambassador to Vietnam and delegates took photos at the press conference. |
Speaking at the press conference, Ho Thu Anh, vice chairman of Hau Giang Provincial People’s Committee, said that the festival is one of the events in a series of emulation activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Hau Giang province (January 1, 2004-January 1, 2024).
The event aims to spread the unique cultural beauty of the people of Western Vietnam, creating a highlight to attract tourists to the beloved Southern land, contributing to preserving the traditional cultural values of the people there.
Some Vietnamese loose-fitting blouse in the collection showcased at the festival.. |
According to designer Minh Hanh, the general director of the festival, ao ba ba or ao dai has become a unique identity of the Vietnamese people and can be exchanged with global culture.
The message that the festival wanted to convey to people at home and abroad is an understanding of the good cultural identities of the Southern region, reflecting the achievements of the Vietnamese people in different fields.
The festival will take place for 3 days (from September 29 to October 1) in Vi Thanh city. |
The festival will take place for 3 days (from September 29 to October 1) in Vi Thanh city with diverse activities such as art performances, fashion, music, cuisine, photo exhibitions, a painting competition, and a parade.
They carry bold traditional values of the nation, the breath of Southern culture with the highlight being an art performance of ao ba ba (Vietnamese loose-fitting blouse), the photo exhibition of the blouse from past to present, traditional Southern cuisine, and Don ca tai tu performances.
The collection of Vietnamese loose-fitting blouse made of Cau Duc pineapple fabric (in Hau Giang) combined with silk made by silk weavers in Bao Loc (Lam Dong province) and Nha Xa (Ha Nam province) will be shown to the public.
The festival contributes to preserving and promoting cultural identity. |
Ao ba ba (Vietnamese loose-fitting blouse) is one of the traditional costumes of Southern women. This is also a symbol of the image of strong and resilient Vietnamese women in the wars against foreign invaders and to defend the country. Female farmers in the Mekong river delta used to wear a black blouse for their work in the field. The blouse is split on both sides along the hip and two flaps form big outer pockets, making it convenient for wearers. Today, ao ba ba has been modified into a close-fitting blouse with a collar. In the 1970s, the sleeves and shoulders of the blouse were seamless while the flaps were separated from the sleeves and shoulders. The sleeves were longer and flared. Sometimes, the outer pockets were removed, making the top look gentler. |
The Offering Ceremony at the Hamlet Entrance of the M’nong People
The offering ceremony at the hamlet entrance is considered the year’s most important communal activity the M’nong people. It is often held in late March and early April of the lunar calendar with the aim of praying to the genies for good weather, bumper crops, health and luck all year round.