Dai Viet Phong Lien

A traditional garment is more than something beautiful to wear. Its silhouette, embroidery, and motifs carry stories of social identity, craftsmanship, and the people who once wore it. Yet as Việt phục gains popularity among younger generations, I began wondering whether we were rediscovering its history or simply admiring its appearance.

That question inspired me to found Dai Viet Phong Lien, an 11-member cultural heritage club organized into five teams spanning research, content, media, finance, and events. Guided by cultural historian Ton That Minh Khoi, a 10th-generation descendant of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, we set out to make Vietnamese historical attire not only more visible, but better understood.

I wanted our research to move beyond written archives and become something people could experience, question, and carry into everyday life.

In July 2026, we co-hosted “Gấm Sắc Kinh Kỳ” with Hoa Nghiem Viet Phuc, bringing over 30 restored and reimagined historical costumes onto the runway before more than 100 attendees. Covered by Phu Nu Newspaper, the show turned historical dress into a living visual narrative.

But bringing heritage to a runway was only one part of the story. Through “Chuyện Xưa Việt Phục,” our five-episode podcast series reaching over 5,000 Facebook views, we explored how Gen Z interprets traditional attire, from TikTok trends to the tensions between historical authenticity and modern reinterpretation. At our “Nếp Áo Nước Nam” workshop, 80+ participants learned why different garments were worn according to rank and occasion, moving beyond dressing up for photographs toward understanding the traditions behind them.

I also wanted cultural knowledge to travel beyond our events. Drawing from our research in Huế, I adapted historical motifs into bandanas through HEM Merch. Each piece came with a card explaining its cultural origins and a QR code linking directly to our research, turning an everyday accessory into an invitation to discover Vietnamese heritage.

Through Dai Viet Phong Lien, I learned that preservation does not have to mean keeping traditions behind glass. It can mean creating thoughtful ways for younger generations to engage with them, while respecting the histories that give them meaning.