Sharing gifts of love and joy

Recently, the charity program “Donating Ao dai to women in need” has been widely deployed by women’s associations at all levels in Khanh Hoa Province. Giving is receiving, bringing happiness to both givers and recipients.

Holding Ao dai

Sharing with women in need

"Ao dai” is known as a Vietnamese traditional garment. On the occasion of the 115th anniversary of International Women’s Day and the 1985th anniversary of the Trung Sisters’ uprising, Khanh Hoa Provincial Women’s Union held the charity program “Giving Ao dai, receiving happiness”. The program was initiated by the union since March 2024. Accordingly, members and women in the province donate new or used Ao dai or cloth to members and women in financial hardship. On the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day, since the beginning of March, the Provincial Women's Union has received nearly 1,300 Ao dai and fabric from agencies, companies and schools such as Khanh Viet Corporation; Tan Lap 1 Primary School, Tan Lap 2 Primary School, Phuoc Long Kindergarten, Phuoc Tan Kindergarten (Nha Trang), etc. The clothing items are neatly folded, clearly marked with sizes and carefully packed.

At the hall, the female cadres and members were present early, arranging and hanging the Ao dai for the women to easily choose from. Many in Nha Trang came to get one for themselves. Ho Thi Than (born in 1956, Phuong Sai ward) sells groceries to earn a few tens of thousands of dong. She only has one Ao dai to wear on special occasions.

“There are so many beautiful Ao dai varied in sizes. I am very happy to get one that suits me the most. This event is very meaningful for the needy. We are so grateful for the warm gifts,” she said. In addition, there are also seamstresses with 2 sewing machines available to support repairing Ao dai for free.

The leader of Nha Trang City Women's Union (left) receives the ao dai from representatives of the Provincial Women's Union.

In response to the program initiated by the Provincial Women's Union, the Women's Union of Vinh Trung Commune (Nha Trang) successfully encouraged female leaders, members and teachers to contribute Ao Dai. As a result, the commune's Women's Union has received 110 Ao dai and 6 pieces of fabric.

On March 5, at the "free booth" of the Women's Union of Vo Canh Village (Vinh Trung Commune, Nha Trang), the association organized the program "Giving Ao Dai, Sending Love, Preserving cultural identity". At the program, the union presented 56 Ao dai to women; the remaining were given to the "free booth" for women in need.

Arranging the Ao dai for the women to choose from.

Further expanding

The meaningful program, bringing joy to both the givers and the recipients, has been expanded by the association at all levels so that more and more women can have beautiful Ao dai. "Free closets of Ao dai" have been developed in some communes and wards such as Ninh Ich, Ninh Quang, Ninh Thuy, Ninh Tho, Ninh Trung, Ninh Tan (Ninh Hoa Town); Cam Lap, Cam Thanh Nam (Cam Ranh City); Ngoc Hiep, Vinh Luong (Nha Trang)... Some other localities have mobilized donations of Ao dai or fabric for members and women in need.

Many women come to get Ao dai from the program.

According to Nguyen Quynh Nga, Chairperson of the Provincial Women's Union, since launching the program in 2024, the Provincial Women's Union at all levels has received nearly 13,800 Ao dai for poor members and women. The program not only shares love and support but also helps poor women have beautiful costumes. In the coming time, the unions at all levels will continue to mobilize more donations for more people in need as well as help honor and promote the charm of the Vietnamese traditional costume.

C.T

Translated by N.T