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Monday 18 February 2013

Traditional Vietnamese dress for men

The special features of the national Vietnamese dress for men have been preserved through the ages. Vietnamese man is proud of wearing this dress because it is part of Vietnamese nation, their history and their culture in general. Moreover, it is part of Vietnamese social customs which includes respect for superiors, dignitaries and relatives. In the past, the people who wore different traditional dresses also showed their status in Vietnamese society.

A revived interest in the national Vietnamese dress for men was demonstrated at an Lions International Club meeting held in Tokyo in 1969. The assembled Lions, along with thousands of Japanese observers on the streets and perhaps millions more at their television sets, were treated to a look at the Vietnamese national dress worn by the Vietnamese Lion delegates.
This was the first time Vietnamese men have worn their national dress at an international gathering since the fall of the late President Diem in November 1963. Before that time it was not unusual for Vietnamese diplomats to appear at official functions in their national attire. In Tokyo, however, the "fashion models" were private business men, delegates to the Lions meeting.
Anyone who has seen the exquisite costumes worn by Vietnamese women will recognize similarities in the traditional dress of the male. Both costumes are tailored from the same fabric, worn with the conventional snug collar and buttoned down on the left side to the waist, with no crease in front or back. The male dress extends only to the knees. The female dress flows with graceful lines from a tight waist down to the heels.
The national Vietnamese dress has preserved its essential features through the ages. Vietnamese take great pride in wearing this dress for it is part of their nation, their history and their culture. It is part of Vietnamese social customs which includes respect for superiors, dignitaries and relatives. Elders in the family continue to receive this recognition as did once emperors, mandarins and court teachers, all of whom had traditional dress variations according to their status in Vietnamese society.
There are many variations on the basic theme. At the top of the list is the elaborate dress of the emperor and the mandarins. Their rank was shown in the display of color in the brocade and embroideries. Gold brocade with embroidered dragons was for the emperor only. Gold is the national color and the dragon heads the fabulous mythical animal world. Purple is the color reserved for high-ranking court mandarins, while blue is for those of lower rank.


King Dong Khanh in imperial costume
Costumes worn for religious ceremonies also have their special colors. Dresses for ceremonial occasions usually have very wide and ample sleeves. Wedding dresses are similar to the popular fashions, and the color is usually purple or blue brocade. Dresses for mourning have frayed fringes or a line up the back and may be either black or white in color.
Vietnamese dress styles underwent changes since the beginning of French influence in the country. Many Vietnamese employed by the French had a tendency to look down upon those who continued to wear the traditional dress. European styles were popular mainly among civil servants and university students.

The majority of people, especially those in the rural areas, remained faithful to their national dress and it even became a symbol of silent opposition to French colonialism. During the colonial war against the French from I945 to I954, many people concealed their social status. The revolutionaries wore black, those who were pro-French wore western clothes while others wore the simple pajama-type shirt and trousers. Following independence the traditional dress came back into its own and was once again the required attire for all ranking officials at government ceremonies or functions of the diplomatic corps.


Artist in traditional dress
When President Diem was overthrown in 1963, the national dress was so closely identified with his administration that it sank with him into oblivion. This neglect, however, was not officially inspired but rather a reflection of political turmoil, frequent government changes and resulting chaos. Today, there is serious thought to restore the Vietnamese national dress for men to its traditional and rightful place, for it is a symbol of pride in the cultural heritage of an ancient and proud Asian land.

Young boy in traditional dress

Sunday 13 January 2013

Halong bay: Khmer Ceremony attracts tourists

Halong bay: Khmer Ceremony attracts tourists: Ok-Om-Bok ceremony, one of the Khmer people’s three biggest festivals, lured thousands of people from some provinces gathered in Tra Vinh...

Khmer Ceremony attracts tourists

Ok-Om-Bok ceremony, one of the Khmer people’s three biggest festivals, lured thousands of people from some provinces gathered in Tra Vinh City’s Ao Ba Om area. The ceremony was held on the evening of November.

Khmer ethnic minority Ok-Om-Bok ceremony attracted thousands of people from several locations gathered in Tra Vinh City’s Ao Ba Om area on the evening of November 28.

Khmer Traditional Ceremony lured Thousand of People
Ok-Om-Bok Ceremony

Despite the Khmer traditional ceremony only, attendants from other ethnic groups paid attention to the celebrations.

The ceremony started at 8pm but people arrived at the festival site from early afternoon. The Ok-Om-Bok ceremony or Le Cung Trang worships the moon. It is often held on the 15th day of lunar October annually. This is one the Khmer people’s three biggest festivals.

People hold the ceremony to pay tribute to the moon for their harvests and good forthcoming crops.
If tourists travel to Vienam with this area on the occasion of ceremony will have chance to take part in this interesting event. You will understand about one of the annually biggest festivals of the Khmer people.

Followings are some wonderful photos taken from the ceremony:
Khmer Traditional Ceremony lured Thousand of People
Sparkling Ao Ba Om
Khmer Traditional Ceremony lured Thousand of People
The moon adds to the beauty of Ao Ba Om
Khmer Traditional Ceremony lured Thousand of People
Khmer Traditional Ceremony lured Thousand of People
Khmer Traditional Ceremony lured Thousand of People
Khmer dancing
Khmer Traditional Ceremony lured Thousand of People
A girl portrays the moon
Khmer Traditional Ceremony lured Thousand of People
People are paying the tribute to the moon
Khmer Traditional Ceremony lured Thousand of People
Feeding the little boy with the hope of a new abundant crop