As a response to the third HCM City Ao dai Festival, relatives of composer Trinh Cong Son are hosting a one-week festival which kicked off on Monday at Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in downtown HCM City, honouring a collection of ao dai designs inspired by songs of the composer.

The “Ao dai Week-Cultural Bridge” are exhibiting 10 women’s traditional robes designed by Trinh Hoang Dieu, the younger sister of the late composer. Each one was inspired by a song.

“The ao dai is not only a kind of costume, but also a work of art that requires elegance and aesthetics,” Dieu said. “My heart always stirs whenever I paint on ao dai.”

Dieu has chosen to paint her designs on brocade and silk. Her paintings mostly honour conjugal affection.

Also on show is an exclusive issue of Thu tinh gui mot nguoi (Love Letter to a Person), a book of letters and images Son sent to Ngo Vu Dao Anh, the leading female character in most of his songs composed in the 1964-1989 period.

Visitors can also view paintings of the composer by a Canadian painter at the festival, and listen to Son’s well-known songs performed by singers Duc Tuan, Thanh Bui, and others at an evening of music on Friday.

VNS