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Traditional fashion: Models in ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dresses) during a fashion show on the The Huc Bridge at Hoan Kiem Lake last night. The event was part of festivities to celebrate 1,000 years since Ha Noi's foundation. — VNS Photo Truong Vi |
Hoan Kiem Lake last night was transformed into a bustling party of artistic activities. Thousands of people flocked to Hoan Kiem Lake last night to find it transformed into a bustling party of artistic activities, complete with a fireworks display, decorative lights, a magnificent ao dai performance, music and a truly festive atmosphere.
"We chose the lake as the centre for the shows as many important historic events have taken place there," said musician Trong Dai, general director of the shows.
Five stages representing five gates of the ancient Thang Long citadel greeted guests that flocked to the festival to enjoy two hours of traditional and modern performances.
Different themes were featured covering the citadel in feudal times, French occupation, revolutionary wars and modern day Ha Noi. Thousands of artists from troupes across the country joined in the performances.
A light show lasting 60 minutes kicked off celebrations with laser effects combined with fire crackers and 3D images projected on big screens.
Dinh Tien Hoang was transformed into a street from the bygone era with Hanoian calligraphers writing on red paper, tricycles and street vendors carrying flower baskets.
An ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) performance followed the light show featuring 1,000 designs by leading designers including Ngan An and Duc Hung.
More than 100 models, including Miss World Viet Nam 2007 Ngo Phuong Lan and Miss Grand Slam Asia 2009 Tran Thi Huong Giang, joined other beauty pageant winners as well as actresses in the fashion show.
Designer Duc Hung's ao dai collection titled Dat Rong (Dragon' Land) consisted of 500 dress sets which he created during the past two years.
"I primarily chose the colours that symbolise the three regions of Viet Nam, namely pink (representing the north), yellow (the south) and violet (for the centre," Hung told Viet Nam News.
"The dresses are made of silk with designs inspired by traditional ao tu than [the long dress worn every day by northern women in the early 20th century]."
The whole show, which was broadcast live on Viet Nam Television's VTV1, VTV4 and VTV5 and HCM City Television's HTV1 and HTV9 and covered by CNN, CNBC, BBC, KBS and Bloomberg, concluded with a fire-works show.
Between October 1 and 10, as many as 245 shows by domestic troupes and 38 by international artists will take place throughout the city.
A list of some of the most exciting activities is available on page 27. — VNS