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| Training rooted in local culture gives students additional sources of creativity and helps them develop designs that reflect Hue’s identity |
For Huynh Le Khai Hoan, a fashion design student at the University of Arts, Hue University, motifs associated with the Nguyen Dynasty’s royal court open up many creative ideas. What interests Khai Hoan is how to make these motifs stand out on garments rather than simply using them as decorative elements.
Drawing on familiar patterns found in royal architecture and ornamentation, Hoan seeks to bring them into every detail of a design. They may appear on collars, garment panels, or through shaped cuts that make the motifs stand out more clearly against the fabric.
For a student still learning the profession, translating ideas from sketches into finished products requires a great deal of experimentation. Beyond ensuring the harmony between motifs, silhouettes, and materials, designers must understand the cultural values of these patterns and apply them appropriately, rather than reducing meaningful details to mere decorative elements. “I like traditional motifs because each has its own distinctive character. When bringing them into clothing, I have to consider where they will look best. I want each garment to have a focal point while retaining its own distinctive design,” shared Khai Hoan.
Meanwhile, Tran Duy Duc, a designer of the Hoa Nghiem Viet Phuc brand, chose to pursue traditional culture while still at university. After graduating in fashion design in 2025, Duc continued to focus on Viet Phuc (Vietnamese traditional attire), modernized garments and souvenirs that reflect cultural identity. For him, the challenge lies not only in preserving the distinctive features of the traditional attire, but also in making these values relevant to contemporary needs.
Choosing a career path rooted in culture also means accepting many exacting demands in the profession. Duy Duc shared: “I chose this path because I love traditional clothing and culture. However, completing a product requires a great deal of time and effort. I always consider how to preserve the distinctive features of culture while ensuring that the garments are beautiful, easy to wear, and suited to practical needs so that the products are well received.” These efforts have begun to bring Duc’s products to overseas markets, including France and South Korea.
From royal court motifs and phap lam enamel art to mother-of-pearl inlay and hoa kim sa art technique, Hue offers designers a wealth of materials to draw upon, each with its own distinctive beauty.
At the Faculty of Applied Arts, the University of Arts, Hue University, nearly 400 students are studying interior design, graphic design, fashion design, multimedia arts, and traditional design. Exposure to local cultural values provides students with additional inspiration while creating opportunities for them to explore creative approaches rooted in Hue’s identity.
Mr. Hoang Minh Tuyen, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Applied Arts, the University of Arts, Hue University, said: “In our training, the faculty always encourages students to connect their professional knowledge with learning about local culture. We also regularly connect with businesses and organizations working in cultural and creative sectors, creating opportunities for the students to undertake internships and gain practical experience. Through these activities, they can better understand market demands, apply what they have learned to their designs, and develop practical products that embody Hue’s cultural identity.”