Nhà nghiên cứu Nguyễn Đình Tư kể chuyện áo dài

 

Nhà nghiên cứu Nguyễn Đình Tư kể chuyện áo dài

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Nhà nghiên cứu Nguyễn Đình Tư (sinh năm 1920) chuyên ngành sử học, địa chí Nam Bộ Việt Nam, nổi tiếng với tinh thần làm việc miệt mài dù đã ngoài 100 tuổi. Ông quê ở huyện Thanh Chương, tỉnh Nghệ An. Không mang học hàm học vị nào, nhà nghiên cứu này vẫn sở hữu gia tài đồ sộ về tri thức với hơn 60 đầu sách nghiên cứu về văn hóa, lịch sử, địa chí, như bộ tiểu thuyết lịch sử Loạn 12 sứ quân, Từ điển địa danh hành chính Nam Bộ, Chế độ thực dân Pháp trên đất Nam Kỳ (1859-1954), Địa chí hành chính các tỉnh Nam Kỳ thời Pháp thuộc (1859-1954), Gia Định - Sài Gòn - Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, dặm dài lịch sử (1698-2020)…Hiện nay 106 tuổi ông vẫn minh mẫn tiếp tục viết sách nghiên cứu mỗi ngày.

Researcher Nguyễn Đình Tư (born in 1920) specializes in history and the regional studies of Southern Vietnam. He is well known for his tireless work ethic, even after the age of 100.

He was born in Thanh Chương District, Nghệ An Province. Despite holding no formal academic titles or degrees, this researcher possesses a vast intellectual legacy, with more than 60 research publications on culture, history, and regional geography. His works include the historical novel series The Turmoil of the Twelve Warlords, Dictionary of Administrative Place Names in Southern Vietnam, The French Colonial Regime in Cochinchina (1859–1954), Administrative Geography of the Provinces of Cochinchina during the French Colonial Period (1859–1954), and Gia Định – Sài Gòn – Ho Chi Minh City: A Long Historical Journey (1698–2020).

Now at the age of 106, he remains sharp-minded and continues to write scholarly works every day.

Áo dài cưới

 Áo dài cưới truyền thống

A wedding áo dài is a traditional áo dài reserved specifically for the bride. It is prepared by the groom’s family and placed in the ceremonial wedding trays (mâm quả) that are carried to the bride’s home during the bridal procession (the wedding ceremony). This is not merely a garment, but a ritual offering with legal and ceremonial significance, representing the legitimacy of the marriage according to traditional Vietnamese customs.

Marriage is a momentous matter. A well-fitted wedding áo dài reflects the groom’s family’s careful preparation and their respect for the bride from the very beginning. According to folk belief, the wedding áo dài symbolizes destiny and marital union. Having it tailored in advance and made to fit properly signifies harmony and thoughtful preparation. Therefore, altering the áo dài after it has been formally presented is traditionally considered taboo.

The áo dài described here was made from fabric purchased at Thủ Đức Market, embroidered with apricot blossoms symbolizing good fortune. It was carefully tailored by an experienced female seamstress in Linh Trung Ward, with several parts meticulously hand-sewn to ensure a perfect fit without the need for later alterations.

Before the groom’s family brings the wedding trays to the bride’s home, the bride may wear a different áo dài while waiting. The girl in the photo is wearing a red áo dài embroidered with motifs of a young woman in a traditional áo dài strolling joyfully to welcome spring.

When the groom’s family brings the wedding áo dài to the bride’s home, it signifies the formal acceptance of the bride into the groom’s family as a daughter-in-law. The wedding áo dài is usually placed in a separate tray, known as the áo dài tray or sính y tray. The garment is neatly folded, wrapped in red cellophane, and covered with a red cloth, sometimes accompanied by a khăn đóng or head wrap and wedding shoes. This tray is often positioned at the front or center of the procession, highlighting its ceremonial importance.

Traditional colors:

Red, pink, yellow, and orange-red — symbolizing joy, good fortune, and prosperity.

Design:

The traditional two-panel áo dài with a high collar and long sleeves.

Motifs with auspicious meanings:

Dragons and phoenixes (marital harmony); lotus and peony flowers (blessings, nobility, purity); the Double Happiness character or the character for good fortune.

Today, modern variations are possible, but the solemn and respectful spirit is always preserved.

The bride wears the wedding áo dài prepared by the groom’s family during:

– The bridal procession

– The ancestral rites ceremony

– The formal introduction to the groom’s relatives

Afterward, the bride may change into another outfit for the wedding banquet or reception.

Cultural and symbolic value:

The wedding áo dài in the ceremonial trays is not merely a gift; it is:

– A symbol of a legitimate marriage

– A milestone marking a woman’s transition in social status

– A ritual bond connecting two families