Consultation workshop to prepare an Intangible Cultural Heritage nomination file of Ao Dai related values
Attending the workshop were Ms. Bui Thi Hoa - VWU Vice President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Van Bai - the Vietnam Heritage Council Vice Chairman, Ms. Dang Bich Lien - Former Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Chairwoman of the Women with Heritage Club, together with representatives of ministries, central and provincial agencies, Ao Dai experts and artisans.
The consultation workshop was a forum to exchange, discuss and select intangible cultural values related to Ao Dai to prepare the nomination file so as the values could be included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The workshop participants focused on discussing two main topics, i.e. selection of values related to Ao Dai to prepare the nomination file, and procedures, requirements and issues to be addressed while preparing the file.
VWU Vice President Bui Thi Hoa delivering remarks at the workshop
Honoring Ao Dai as part of the Vietnamese Cultural Heritage is the aspiration of the Vietnamese women. During the year 2020, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the VWU has cooperated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to organize exciting and influencing activities that involved the participation of numerous women which helped affirm and honor the values and beauty of Ao Dai.
According to Ms. Bui Thi Hoa – VWU Vice President, the VWU would continue to advocate, propose and organize activities to honor Ao Dai, e.g. organizing Ao Dai week on the March 8th occasion, modeling Ao Dai in several provinces and cities, communicating about the values and beauty of Ao Dai in the media and social networks, and mobilizing provinces and cities to help complete the National Intangible Cultural Heritage nomination file of Ao Dai related values.
Final Round "Pride of Vietnamese Ao Dai" design campaign
At the workshop, the delegates affirmed the importance of preparing the nomination file. The recognition of Ao Dai's values as a Cultural Heritage will not only have cultural significance but also political and economic one. To complete the file, however, the main task remains with the state management agency, and the VWU will be an accompanying partner that helps accelerate this process.
Mr Dang Van Bai highly appreciated the proactivity and enthusiasm of the VWU in initiating this project. If there had been no women’s voice, we could not have started this project. He also proposed the VWU continue to support the authorities in preparing the nomination file to recognize Ao Dai’s values not only as a National Cultural Heritage but also as a World Heritage.