The Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2025 is not only an event honoring Vietnam’s traditional ao dai but also a stage for young designers to bring long-standing cultural values into high fashion. Among the outstanding faces, young designer Nguyen Trung Thanh, a third-year Fashion Design student at Van Lang University, made a strong impression by presenting two culturally rich collections: “Dieu Hat Than Tien” (Melody of the Fairies) and “Lac Thieng” (Lost in the Sacred Land). His showcase not only captivated industry professionals but also won over the audience, affirming the talent and vision of a young designer on his way to establishing himself.
Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2025 – Honoring the Vietnamese cultural identity
The Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2025 continues to be a significant cultural event, attracting widespread interest from fashion and Vietnamese culture enthusiasts. Held annually, the festival serves as a platform to promote the traditional beauty of the ao dai – a symbol of grace, elegance, and national spirit. More than just a fashion event, the Ao Dai Festival acts as a bridge for younger generations to understand and appreciate long-standing cultural values while offering designers the opportunity to showcase their creativity by blending traditional and modern elements.
With the theme “Vietnamese Spirit in Ao Dai”, the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2025 will feature a variety of activities, including fashion shows, specialized seminars, exhibitions showcasing ao dai through different historical periods, and interactions with skilled ao dai artisans. This festival also serves as a major platform for talented young designers to present their creations to the public. Nguyen Trung Thanh, with his deep passion for fashion rooted in cultural heritage, is one of the standout designers expected to introduce unique collections, further enriching the landscape of Vietnamese ao dai fashion.
Nguyen Trung Thanh – Young designer with international remarks
Nguyen Trung Thanh is currently a third-year Fashion Design student at Van Lang University. Despite his young age, he has already demonstrated a deep passion for fashion, especially designs that embody rich national cultural values. With creativity and a progressive spirit, Nguyen Trung Thanh continuously explores, learns, and applies traditional materials and patterns to modern designs, creating fashion pieces that carry a folk essence while aligning with international trends.
His name first gained attention when he designed a national costume for Miss Grand Vietnam 2023. His work left a strong impression on the public with its sophisticated blend of traditional materials and unique design style. This success paved the way for him to be invited again to design national costumes for Miss Grand Vietnam 2024. His creations not only showcase his artistic vision but also contribute to promoting Vietnamese culture on the global stage. With these achievements, Nguyen Trung Thanh is steadily establishing his position in both the Vietnamese and international fashion industries.
“Dieu Hat Than Tien” – Intersection of the arts and spirituality
Inspired by the art of “then” singing – a spiritual folk singing tradition of the Tay and Nung communities – “Dieu Hat Than Tien” brings a mystical and sacred fashion experience. Hat then is a musical performance with ritualistic elements, depicting a journey to the heavens to seek the Jade Emperor’s favor in resolving issues for the host. More than just an art form, it is an essential part of the spiritual life of ethnic minority groups.
In this collection, Nguyen Trung Thanh employs dominant colors such as deep blue, gold, and red – shades commonly seen in “then” singing ceremonies. The primary materials include silk and brocade, intricately embroidered with patterns inspired by the imagery of this sacred tradition. “Dieu Hat Than Tien” not only honors traditional beauty but also showcases creativity in blending fashion with folk artistry.
“Lac Thieng” – Legend of the origin of the nation
“Lac Thieng” is a collection that reimagines the legend of “Children of the Dragon and Grandchildren of the Immortals”, a foundational myth in Vietnamese culture. Drawing inspiration from the image of Mother Au Co giving birth to a sac of one hundred eggs, Nguyen Trung Thanh has created an ao dai collection imbued with sacred meaning, symbolizing national origins. Through this design, he seeks to convey the spirit of unity, national pride, and the enduring value of traditional culture.
The ao dai in this collection features dominant shades of red and gold, representing the “red blood, yellow skin” identity of the Vietnamese people. While maintaining traditional silhouettes, the designs incorporate modernized details in the sleeves and collars, adding a fresh touch that aligns with contemporary fashion trends. “Lac Thieng” is not only a tribute to national heritage but also a statement of solidarity and pride in Vietnamese culture.
With “Dieu Hat Than Tien” and “Lac Thieng”, Nguyen Trung Thanh has introduced a fresh perspective on the ao dai, seamlessly blending traditional and modern elements. His presence at the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2025 is sure to leave a lasting impression on fashion and Vietnamese culture enthusiasts.
