The Vietnamese Women’s Forum in Europe and the Vietnamese Ao Dai Heritage Club in Europe - under the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association - have launched the campaign “Vietnamese Ao Dai Culture Month in Europe – Integration and Reach” from October 1 to 30.

The campaign celebrates Vietnamese Women’s Day (October 20), the successful founding congress of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association, and the one-year anniversary of the Ao Dai Heritage Club in Europe.

There are cultural symbols that transcend borders - symbols that not only belong to a nation but also connect people across continents. For Vietnam, the ao dai is one such symbol.

Its soft silhouette and flowing silk capture the grace of Vietnamese women, while reflecting the depth of national culture, history, and spirit.

As part of “Vietnamese Ao Dai Culture Month in Europe,” organizers are encouraging women, Vietnamese associations, and communities across Europe to participate in creative, practical activities that promote the ao dai’s cultural value.

These include ao dai exhibitions, fashion shows, and presentations targeting European audiences, as well as thematic discussions and seminars on the traditional dress.

A special highlight of the campaign is the initiative to gift ao dai to influential local figures in host countries. Designers from the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association will support the production and delivery of these cultural gifts.

Dr. Phan Bich Thien - President of the Vietnamese Women’s Forum in Europe, President of the Ao Dai Heritage Club in Europe, and Standing Member of the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Association - shared that the goal of the program is to promote the ao dai not only as Vietnam’s national costume but as a cultural ambassador.

It embodies a bridge between tradition and modernity, between East and West.

In Europe’s multicultural landscape - where modern cities meet ancient civilizations - the ao dai continues to shine with its unique beauty, becoming a vibrant cultural thread in Vietnam’s global integration journey.

Nguyen Lan Huong, President of the Vietnamese Women’s Association in the Netherlands and President of the Ao Dai Heritage Club in the Netherlands, believes that the Ao Dai Culture Month will also inspire second- and third-generation Vietnamese youth born and raised in Europe.

She sees it as a way for them to explore, connect with, and fall in love with the ao dai as a powerful link to their roots.

“When an ao dai flows in the European breeze,” she said, “it’s not just a garment - it’s the heartbeat of home, the soul of Vietnamese culture shining far from its land.”

Hoang Thuy Nga, Vice President of the Vietnamese Women’s Forum in Europe and Vice President of the Ao Dai Heritage Club in Europe, expressed confidence in the campaign’s success.

She said this cultural movement will bring together women and Vietnamese communities across Europe to preserve and spread the heritage of the ao dai - celebrating Vietnamese identity while promoting global integration.

PV