Female diplomats in Vietnamese Ao Dai – Honouring the beauty and cultural identity of Vietnam
WVR - On the morning of October 20, in celebration of Vietnamese Women's Day, the Department of External Relations and Cultural Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Party Committee Office - Mass Organizations and the Vietnamese Ao Dai Culture Association, organized a commemorative program themed "Female Diplomats in Vietnamese Ao Dai". This special event aims to honour the beauty of Vietnamese women and spread the cultural values of the traditional Ao Dai.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang takes a group photo with delegates attending the program. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Attending the program from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Network of Vietnamese Female Diplomats were Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairwoman of the Network of Vietnamese Female Diplomats; Nguyen Xuan Anh, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Le Thi Hong Van, Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cultural Diplomacy. Also present were female ambassadors, leaders of various units, and numerous female staff members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From the Vietnamese Ao Dai Culture Association, the program was honoured to welcome Dr. Dang Thi Bich Lien, Chairwoman of the Association, former Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam, Deputy Director of the Fund for the Preservation of Vietnamese Cultural Heritage, Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the Association, along with Vice Chairpersons and over 100 association members.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang delivers the opening speech of the program. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang extended his best wishes to female leaders of departments, associations, and all female staff of the Vietnamese Foreign Affairs sector.
The Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed that Vietnamese women have always accompanied the nation through all eras, from nation-building and defense to development. Their contributions, especially those of female diplomats, hold enduring historical value and will stand the test of time.
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| On behalf of the Party Central Committee Secretary, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang presents a bouquet of fresh flowers to celebrate Vietnamese Women's Day. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
"We always cherish, appreciate, and thank the contributions of generations of female diplomatic staff. I believe that you will continue to write the story of Vietnam, a story of peace not only for Vietnam but for the world," Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang asserted.
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| Dr. Dang Thi Bich Lien, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Ao Dai Culture Association, speaks at the program. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Also during the program, Dr. Dang Thi Bich Lien, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Ao Dai Culture Association, expressed her emotion and pride in witnessing female diplomats donning the Vietnamese Ao Dai. She emphasized that the Ao Dai is not just attire but a vibrant cultural work, embodying the harmony between tradition and modernity, identity and integration.
"Each Ao Dai worn by female diplomats is a cultural message to international friends, about a Vietnam that is elegant, confident, and proud to assert its position on the international stage," Dr. Bich Lien shared.
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| Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cultural Diplomacy Le Thi Hong Van expresses gratitude to the Vietnamese Ao Dai Culture Association. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
On behalf of the female staff, Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cultural Diplomacy Le Thi Hong Van expressed pride in the image of Vietnamese female diplomats confidently and gracefully wearing traditional Ao Dai.
She affirmed that female diplomats are not only bridges of peace and friendship but also cultural ambassadors, contributing to spreading the identity and beauty of Vietnam to the world. She also extended heartfelt thanks to the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the cooperation of the Vietnamese Ao Dai Culture Association, and the support of ambassadors, colleagues, designers, and artisans who contributed to the success of the program.
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| The collection themed "Heritage in Hanoi" by designer Anh Thu – Ngân An Ao Dai brand, showcased by female diplomats from the Consular Department, Diplomatic Academy, and Northeast Asia Department. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The highlight of this year's program is the unique combination of fashion shows and cultural diplomacy, featuring renowned designers and performances by female staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Three Ao Dai collections were showcased: "Heritage in Hanoi" by designer Anh Thu - Ngân An Ao Dai brand, "Vietnamese Brocade" by designer Nguyen Lan Vy, and "Mountain Colors" by designer Han Phuong - Viet Phuong Ao Dai brand.
Notably, female staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confidently walked in Vietnamese Ao Dai, celebrating the harmonious beauty of Vietnamese women between tradition and modernity. From Bat Trang ceramic motifs, ink-wash lotus flowers to vibrant brocade colors, each collection tells a story of national cultural identity.
The sophisticated blend of professional models and female diplomats not only created an impressive performance but also sent a strong message: Vietnamese female diplomats are not only foreign ambassadors but also cultural ambassadors, helping to spread the beauty of Vietnamese Ao Dai to international friends.
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| Another beautiful aspect of Vietnam through the "Mountain Colours" collection by designer Han Phuong – Viet Phuong Ao Dai brand. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
During the interaction session, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairwoman of the Network of Vietnamese Female Diplomats, shared profound insights on the role and image of female diplomats in Ao Dai at multilateral diplomatic forums. The Ambassador affirmed that the Ao Dai is not only traditional attire but also a cultural symbol, reflecting the identity and qualities of Vietnamese women on the international stage.
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| Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga shares the story of how the Ao Dai has always been associated with Vietnamese female diplomats during their overseas service. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
At the end of the program, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Xuan Anh presented the most beautiful bouquets to female diplomatic staff, members of the Vietnamese Ao Dai Association, and designers participating in the program.
With the theme "Female Diplomats in Vietnamese Ao Dai", the commemorative program contributed to honoring the beauty and contributions of Vietnamese female diplomats, while promoting the image of traditional Ao Dai to the world, deeply affirming the cultural values and national identity of Vietnam.
Some images from the program:
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| This collection was also showcased at the World Culture Day in Hanoi, leaving a very special impression on international friends and is now being presented exclusively at the event of Vietnamese female diplomats. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
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| From the pride of the S-shaped country, where the vibrant colours of nature, culture, and people converge, designer Nguyen Lan Vy created the "Vietnamese Brocade" Ao Dai collection, as a journey to explore and honour the diverse beauty of the homeland. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
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| The collection was showcased by designer Han Phuong's model team and female staff, children of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
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| Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang and Dr. Dang Thi Bich Lien visit the exhibition space of traditional Ao Dai designers. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang and Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga visit the displayed products. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
