Tay ethnic designer Vu Thao Giang (Photo courtesy of Vu Thao Giang)

Thao Giang has been passionate about fashion since her childhood. She often helped her cousin sew things and even made Ao Dai for her dolls. But it was not until she put on an Ao Dai and started modeling it in other countries that her love for Ao Dai really took off. When international friends admired her products and asked to take photos with her, she came to the realization that she had a responsibility to preserve and promote this part of Vietnamese culture.

“I’ve always viewed culture as a foundation for entrepreneurship. Vietnam’s rich cultural diversity provides me with an endless source of inspiration. For instance, the country has numerous traditional painting styles, so many that I’ve only been able to incorporate a small portion of them into my Ao Dai designs. The beauty of Vietnam’s ancient architecture also inspires my designs,” Giang said.

Giang’s designs respect the traditional spirit of the Ao Dai, but skillfully combines that with more modern elements. Each of her collections tells a story of history, culture, and art.

In the collection “Thuy Vu Nghenh Hy”, Giang celebrates the elegance of Hanoi women from the 1950s to 1970s, incorporating the aesthetic of Hang Trong folk paintings. Her goal was to revive the image of the Trang An woman – graceful, modest, and attractive. The collection is a tribute to cherished memories of Vietnam’s cultural past.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Minh, Director of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, praised Giang’s innovative fusion of traditional Ao Dai with folk art. “Hang Trong folk paintings are one of Vietnam’s fine art heritages which the museum is working to preserve and promote. Combining traditional Ao Dai with these paintings is a very innovative idea. Giang has helped to spread an appreciation of the beauty of Hang Trong paintings to the younger generation.”

Another of Giang’s collections, “Viet Nam Gam Hoa” is a journey through Vietnam, showcasing national heritage and scenic landmarks. Iconic sites like the Trang An Landscape Complex, Ha Long Bay, the former capital of Hue, Hoi An, and the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang are depicted using intricate embroidery and printing techniques.

“This collection tells the story of Vietnam’s beauty. Each item represents a different region. I believe that the Ao Dai is an effective way to promote Vietnamese culture and tourism to domestic and international audiences,” Giang explained.

Designer Vu Thao Giang and her Ao Dai collection featured in the program “Cau River – The Source of Heritage (Photo courtesy of Vu Thao Giang)

Thao Giang’s effort to promote the Ao Dai to the world has not been without difficulties. In the beginning she had trouble finding authentic cultural materials.Many old patterns and motifs were not well documented. Another challenge was reconciling modern technology with traditional values.

With perseverance and love for her craft, Giang works with cultural researchers and other artisans to revive the heritages she integrates into her designs. She intends to promote the Ao Dai to the whole world through cultural exchanges and international fashion shows.