The journey of lacquer from heritage to the future

After nearly 80 years of existing as little more than a foundation, Dai Cung Mon - the main gate of the Forbidden Purple City – will be reconstructed. The project will help complete the central axis of Hue Imperial Citadel and open up a new heritage experience space for visitors.

Artisan of lacquer and gilding Bui Van Trinh has recently been honored with the title of Meritorious Artisan, awarded by the President, marking more than thirty-five years of dedication to preserving national cultural heritage in the field of handicrafts. Yet, for him, the greatest joy has always been the moment of contemplating a completed work, shimmering with lacquer and gold under his own hands.

Kicking off Hue Ao Dai Week 2026, scheduled to take place from July 3 to 10, is the event “Ao dai Connecting Tourism and Heritage”, which will be held on the morning of July 3 at the Quoc Tu Giam area.

With the exhibition themed “Hue's intangible cultural heritage - Inspiring creativity and development”, Hue City Museum of History showcased the cultural beauty and artistic essence of the Ancient Capital to domestic friends.

Amid the rhythm of modern life, as fashion becomes increasingly diverse and is constantly changing, the traditional ao-dai continues to remain a lasting presence in the lives of women in the former imperial capital. In Hue, the graceful image of women’s association members wearing Ao-dai is not only a symbol of beauty but also a way of preserving and spreading the traditional cultural values of their homeland.