Viet Nam News
HA NOI — Ha Noi’s Old Quarter will host a celebration of the cultural charm of Hue Imperial City from today to December 2.
The celebration is part of the activities organised by the Management Board of Ha Noi’s Old Quarter to celebrate Viet Nam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23), according to Tran Thuy Lan, head of the organising board.
“Thang Long (the former name of Ha Noi) and Phu Xuan (the former name of Hue) are two old capitals of the country with unique culture and arts recognised by UNESCO,” Lan said.
The programme Huong Sac Co Do (Perfume and Beauty of Old Capitals) helps introduce the traditional culture preserved in Hue to the world.
The event aims to strengthen co-operation and exchange between Ha Noi and other Vietnamese cities on preserving national and UNESCO-recognised cultural heritages.
In addition, it aims to protect the value of heritage and promote Ha Noi’s Old Quarter.
The event draws the participation of cultural researcher Dam Quang Minh, musician Vu Nhat Tan, painter Ly Truc Son and designer Trinh Bich Thuy.
Accordingly, a show featuring ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long robes) will start the celebration at the Ha Noi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Centre (50 Dao Duy Tu Street).
Designer Thuy will present the collection Tho (Longevity) using the calligraphy of the old scripts imprinted and embroidered on the fabric.
“The calligraphy of the letter Tho is one among the patterns that were embroidered on imperial long robes in the past,” she said. “Through the collection, I want to reflect the sophisticated technique and aesthetics of the Vietnamese people. I also want to bring longevity and good fortune for the wearers.”
Members of the A Designers House including Nguyen Van Anh, Do Huong Ly and Nguyen Hong Ngoc, will present the collection Khuc Hoai Niem (Nostalgia). The long robes are made of traditional silk using special techniques such as hand-embroidery, sequins and painting on the fabric.
The designs feature familiar images of Hue such as the Huong (Perfume) River, the Royal Citadel and royal symbols such as clouds, phoenixes and dragons.
A musical event will take place on the following day, featuring beautiful melodies of old tunes such as xam (the blind’s music), ca tru (ceremonial singing) and nha nhac (Hue royal court music), which was honoured with a place on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Northern music will be performed by Dong Kinh Co Nhac group of People’s Artist Xuan Hoach and People’s Artist Thanh Hoai. Hue music will be performed by Phu Xuan troupe including artist Thanh Tam and instrumentalist Tran Thao.
On the same day, a seminar on the worship of ancestors of the trades will be held at Kim Ngan Temple, 42-44 Hang Bac Street. An exhibition will display photos taken by Le Bich depicting life and handicrafts in traditional trade villages and streets in the capital.
A collection of Hue traditional costumes of cultural researcher Thai Kim Lan and a collection of instruments of Hue royal court music will also be shown to the public.
The tea culture of the Vietnamese people will be on display on November 23-25 at the Ha Noi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Centre. — VNS