Watching TV a few nights ago, we saw someone wearing an \u00e1o d\u00e0i (\u201cowzeye\u201d) \u2014 the native dress of Vietnamese women. It caught our eye because it had flowers, or some design on it \u2014 we both remembered them\u00a0 usually being a solid color. Claire has an \u00e1o d\u00e0i \u2014 as a souvenir of Vietnam. So I thought that it might be a good day to talk about the \u00e1o d\u00e0i and how it came to be\u2026..<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The story starts in 1744, when Vietnam was divided into two territories, the Inner Land (D\u00e0ng Trong) and Outer Land (D\u00e0ng Ngo\u00e0i.) To distinguish his people, Lord Nguy\u0113n Ph\u00fac Kho\u00e1t of the Inner Land asked his subjects to wear a front-buttoned gown, with trousers. This five-part dress (\u00e1o ng\u016b th\u00e3n) was the inspiration for the modern \u00e1o d\u00e0i. Royals and elites made their dresses from the finest silk, with intricate details and vibrant colors to represent rankings in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the 1930s, the dress was simplified into two parts by Vietnamese artist Le Mur Nguy\u0113n C\u00e1t Tur\u00f2ng. The front flap was extended to reach the ankle, and the form became more fitted. Like many \u201cwesternized\u201d ideas, the style was only reluctantly received at first. But after Le Mur designed an \u00e1o d\u00e0i collection for Queen Nam Phur\u00f3ng, wife of Vietnam\u2019s last Emperor B\u00e5o Dai, urban women started to embrace and popularize the more contemporary style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, H\u014d Chi Minh wrote an essay, in 1947, noting that the \u00e1o d\u00e0i was not fit for the fields or the factory, asking Vietnamese to adapt their attire to be more efficient for work. As a result, the \u00e1o d\u00e0i became a dress saved for professional appearances and special occasions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When choosing an \u00e1o d\u00e0i, each color has meaning. In Imperial times, gold was a royal color and reserved for kings and queens. Red \u00e1o d\u00e0i are worn during T\u00e9t for luck and prosperity. Brides may also wear red on their wedding day, so it\u2019s a good idea to wear a different color if you\u2019re a guest. White symbolizes purity and innocence, and black is most often worn at funerals. Some Vietnamese women also choose \u00e1o d\u00e0i colors based on their zodiac sign element (metal, wood, water, fire, or earth) taken from their year of birth.
Today, Vietnamese usually wear the \u00e1o d\u00e0i for culturally significant events including lunar new year ceremonies\/celebrations, weddings and other special occasions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I always thought the \u00e1o d\u00e0i was attractive, refined and a bit elegant looking \u2014 one of the more attractive native costumes from the places I\u2019ve visited\u2026.
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Watching TV a few nights ago, we saw someone wearing an \u00e1o d\u00e0i (\u201cowzeye\u201d) \u2014 the native dress of Vietnamese women. It caught our eye because it had flowers, or some design on it \u2014 we both remembered them\u00a0 usually … Continue reading