The central province of Thua Thien-Hue city has approved the establishment of the Non La (palm-leaf conical hat) and Ao Dai (Vietnamese gown) Association to preserve the beauty of Vietnamese non la and ao dai.

This is the first association of non la and ao dai in Vietnam. The association aims to preserve and honour the beauty of Vietnamese non la and ao dai, and advertise Vietnamese culture in general and Hue culture in particular.

Ao dai appeared in the early 17^th century in Vietnam. After many changes, the ao dai has become a traditional dress of Vietnamese woman.

Ao dai and non la are symbols of Vietnamese women in general and Hue girls in particular.

In Hue, making non la has been a traditional job for hundreds of years.

VietNamNet/DT