Traditional costumes and the new fashion wave of young Vietnamese people during Tet
Tet comes, spring returns, the atmosphere of reunion is everywhere, along with that is an opportunity for us Vietnamese to look back at the traditional cultural values that have been attached for generations. Today's youth are creating a new wave, when the Nhat Binh, Tac, Ngu Than costumes - which were symbols of the ancient nobility - are "revived" and become favorite costumes during Tet. The image of young people wearing traditional costumes in Tet photos, family reunions or spring trips is no longer too strange, expressing personality and clearly demonstrating the deep connection between the young generation and national traditions.
According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Loc, founder of the traditional costume brand Y Van Hien, this trend is not a temporary phenomenon but the result of natural development. “When society reaches a level of stability, people will seek traditional culture to affirm their personal and national identity. This is not only popular in Vietnam but also appears in countries like Japan with kimono, Korea with hanbok or China with hanfu,” he shared.
The Y Van Hien brand was born in 2018, marking a turning point in the restoration of Vietnamese traditional costumes. From the challenging beginnings, the brand has continuously developed, building a foundation based on core historical values but still innovating to suit modern needs. One of the important goals of Y Van Hien is to bring traditional costumes back to contemporary life. "We do not only restore them to display in museums or cultural exhibitions, but also want to bring these costumes into everyday life, so that they become a natural part of life," he emphasized.
Despite its increasing popularity, the introduction of traditional costumes into everyday life, especially during Tet, still faces many obstacles. Many young people are still afraid that traditional costumes are only suitable for formal ceremonies or worry about combining traditional costumes with modern styles, or simply about their applicability in modern life.
To overcome these barriers, Y Van Hien has made constant efforts to create many activities to promote and spread culture. Tea ceremonies and cultural exchange events are regularly held with the participation of young people wearing traditional costumes, giving them the opportunity to experience the reality and understand more about the value of traditional costumes. More in-depth research on traditional costumes also opens up diversity in choices: instead of just focusing on Nhat Binh shirts of the Nguyen Dynasty, they began to explore costumes of the Ly, Tran, Le Trung Hung, or even Dinh dynasties... This diversity not only enriches the fashion of young people but also brings new colors to traditional holidays, arousing national pride in everyone's heart.
“Deep inside every Vietnamese person is patriotism and national pride. When cultural values are widely and properly disseminated, they will naturally be accepted. Vietnamese traditional costumes not only have historical significance but also demonstrate self-respect and patriotism. Loving and using Vietnamese traditional costumes is also expressing one’s own patriotism and national pride,” Mr. Loc emphasized.
To meet the needs of the young generation and to suit today's social life, Y Van Hien applies modern technology such as 3D drawing, machine embroidery and using alternative materials to reduce costs while still maintaining aesthetics. At the same time, the brand also simplifies some steps such as replacing all hand embroidery with a combination of hand embroidery and machine embroidery.
Young people today also show creativity in the way they mix and match clothes and accessories when wearing traditional costumes. They can wear them as is or break the mold by combining them with sneakers, modern handbags or unique hairstyles, bringing a new and attractive look while still maintaining the traditional spirit.
Wearing traditional costumes during Tet is not only about aesthetics but also brings meaningful cultural experiences. Many young people believe that wearing traditional costumes helps them feel more deeply about themselves and the value of national culture. Each stitch and pattern contains historical stories, helping them connect more deeply with their roots.
The future of Vietnamese traditional costumes
An important factor contributing to the popularity of traditional costumes among young people is the strong development of social networks. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube have become places to introduce and spread images of traditional costumes in a close, creative and attractive way. Videos instructing how to wear Ao Nhat Binh, photo collections of traditional costumes in traditional spaces, or articles analyzing the history of costumes have created a strong wave of love in the community. We are living in the digital age and traditional costumes also need to blend into that flow.
“These costumes will be introduced to the public through many different channels: from stage, music videos, movies, youth photo shoots, to tailoring for ambassadors of many countries in Vietnam and abroad. This is not only an effective form of promotion, but also a way for traditional costumes to become an indispensable part of modern life,” Mr. Nguyen Duc Loc added.
With the development of the trend of wearing traditional costumes during Tet, Vietnamese costumes are gradually asserting their role as a unique cultural symbol of the nation. According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Loc, Vietnamese traditional costumes have the potential to become an international cultural symbol, like the Japanese kimono or the Korean hanbok. “When young people confidently wear traditional ao dai, they are not only honoring the beauty of the nation but also becoming cultural ambassadors, bringing the image of Vietnam to the world,” he affirmed.
Traditional Vietnamese costumes not only have historical significance but also demonstrate pride and patriotism.
In addition to Tet, Vietnamese traditional costumes also have the potential to expand into other fields such as performing arts, diplomatic events, and even on international fashion shows... The future of Vietnamese traditional costumes lies in preserving traditional values, how they are applied and commercialized to reach more domestic and international audiences. With the creativity and love of young people, Vietnamese traditional costumes are gradually reviving, becoming a source of cultural pride and a bridge between the past and present in the journey towards the nation's roots.
“The important thing is that we need to make the world realize the uniqueness and value of Vietnamese traditional costumes. This is the mission we are striving to fulfill,” affirmed Mr. Nguyen Duc Loc, founder of Y Van Hien.
