AO TU THAN, COSTUME BRINGS UNIQUE CULTURAL VALUES OF VIETNAM

Ao Tu Than is one of the unique traditional costumes of Vietnamese women, carrying many cultural and historical values. This costume not only shows the graceful and graceful beauty but also contains many profound meanings about the customs, thoughts and feelings of Vietnamese women through the ages. Designed with four panels, a combination of Ao Dai and Ao Dai, Ao Tu Than reflects the sophistication and ingenuity in the art of tailoring of Vietnamese people. When wearing Ao Tu Than, women not only want to enhance their physical beauty but also want to convey national cultural values to future generations.

The four-panel dress has a very long history, and is the product of cultural exchange between different regions and civilizations.

Appearing in the 1920s-1930s of the 20th century, the four-panel dress originated from the traditional costume of Northern women in Vietnam. Over time, the four-panel dress has been transformed and become the typical costume of Kinh women.

In the feudal society of the past, the four-panel dress was not only an everyday outfit but also had many symbolic meanings. It showed the class and status of women in the family and society. Noble women often wore four-panel dresses with higher quality materials and more elaborate patterns than ordinary people.

Ao Tu Than appears in many works of literature, paintings, and folk music. Images of women wearing Ao Tu Than are often depicted with gentle, elegant beauty, accompanied by nobility and intelligence. This makes Ao Tu Than not only a costume but also a cultural symbol of the Vietnamese people.

The four-panel dress consists of four main parts: two front panels, two back panels, and an inner brassiere. The front panel is cut separately, and the back panel is sewn together and is called the waistband. The length of the dress is about 20 cm above the knee. The dress has no buttons but will be opened in the front or has a separate belt. The design of the long sleeves, tight at the tube, the long skirt almost reaching the heel, often worn with a black skirt.

This design allows the wearer to move easily, creating a cool feeling on hot summer days. The skirt is cut to hug the body but still maintains the necessary comfort. The four-panel dress is worn with accessories such as a crow's beak scarf, conical hat, skirt, wooden clogs, etc.

Ao dai is often made of materials such as Chuc Bau, Diem Bau, Doi, Nam Dinh dragon fabric, fabric, silk, gauze, etc.

Inside is usually combined with a yếm shirt. The yếm shirt also has color regulations, young girls in their prime wear bright red yếm shirts, and older girls wear brown or dark-colored shirts. Outside the yếm shirt will be a thin white blouse. The belt is blue.

The special feature of the Ao Tu Than is the decorative motifs. The motifs are often elaborately hand-embroidered, demonstrating the skill and meticulousness of the tailor. These motifs are not only decorative but also tell a story, conveying cultural values and customs.

The four-panel dress has a special and profound meaning. The two front panels represent the biological parents, and the back panels represent the husband’s parents. The yếm dress worn inside represents the image of parents embracing and protecting their children.

The four-panel dress carries within it the beauty of ancient women. The dress also helps to spread the ideology and beauty of the nation’s culture and traditions.

Southern Ao Tu Than Unlike the Northern Ao Tu Than, the Southern Ao Tu Than will wear a dress instead of dark pants. With this outfit, everyone will have an Ao Tu Than on the outside, a Boi Yem inside, and a dress underneath.

First, you will have to wear a Boi Yem inside. You can choose a Boi Yem with a built-in collar or a deep-cut Boi Yem. The Boi Yem should be a tight-fitting type to show off your figure and accentuate your bust. With the outer Ao Tu Than, girls wear it as usual, gently tightening it at the waist so that the overall outfit is elegant and graceful while showing off their slim waist.

Nowadays, the Ao Tu Than is not only a traditional costume but also an indispensable part of modern cultural life.

Many young designers have incorporated the Ao Tu Than into their collections, combining tradition and modernity. They use new materials and more diverse designs to attract young people.

This innovation helps the Ao Tu Than become closer to the younger generation while preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.

Ao Tu Than has become a symbol of cultural tourism. Many foreign tourists coming to Vietnam not only want to admire the beauty of Ao Tu Than but also want to experience trying it on.

Tourists' interest in Ao Tu Than has contributed to promoting the development of cultural tourism, helping to promote the image of Vietnam to international friends.

The Ao Tu Than also has a profound educational meaning for the younger generation. Through learning about the Ao Tu Than, young people will better understand the cultural and historical values of the nation.

Education about traditional costumes will help the younger generation become more aware of national identity, thereby preserving and promoting Vietnamese culture in the future.

Ao Tu Than is not only a beautiful costume but also a symbol of Vietnamese culture, expressing the elegance and grace of women. With the development of modern fashion, Ao Tu Than is being revived and preserved as an important part of the cultural life of Vietnamese people. Hopefully, Ao Tu Than will always be loved and preserved, becoming a bridge between generations, between tradition and modernity.