On August 23 and 24, Baiyoke Sky Hotel – the tallest building in Bangkok – became the global fashion spotlight with Thailand International Fashion Week 2025, founded by Dr. Chirawan Lewis. Amid the vibrant international rhythm, Dac Ngoc Designer House in collaboration with Ken Design By Hanh Nguyen presented the collection “Mong Ho Sac – Dreams of Dong Ho”, where Vietnamese folk culture was elevated through the language of contemporary creativity, leaving a powerful impression on the international audience.
The legacy of Dong Ho and inspirations for creativity
By the Duong River, Dong Ho painting village has long been a source of pride in Vietnamese folk art. Hand-printed woodblock paintings such as “Dam cuoi chuot” (Rat’s Wedding), “Em be om ga” (Child Holding a Chicken), and “Vinh hoa – Phu quy” (Prosperity and Honor) embody both everyday humor and profound philosophies of life. This beauty became the wellspring of inspiration for “Mong Ho Sac – Dreams of Dong Ho”, allowing a familiar heritage to step into the international spotlight.
On the Bangkok runway, that heritage was transformed through layers of creative expression. Traditional colors were harmonized with modern materials, folk motifs were stylized, exquisitely embroidered, and placed within contemporary silhouettes. Flowing skirts evoked the waves of the Duong River, velvet coats with motifs of chickens, rats, and horses recalled village festivals, yet carried the vitality of global fashion. Each outfit became a “moving painting,” at once reviving memories and opening a new chapter in the journey of cultural integration.
Thailand International Fashion Week 2025: Convergence of creativity
Bangkok has long been known as the “shopping paradise” of Southeast Asia, and with TIFW 2025, the city further affirmed its position as the region’s creative hub. At Baiyoke Sky Hotel, where city lights blended with stage lights, this year’s event brought together a wide range of international brands and fashion houses. The showcases were not only about presenting new designs but also about cultural dialogue, as the identities of different nations came together in harmony.
Within that space, “Mong Ho Sac – Dreams of Dong Ho” emerged as a distinctive symphony. The collection was not merely a showcase but a retelling of folk stories through fashion, carrying the Vietnamese spirit confidently onto the international runway. This became the highlight that marked Vietnam’s presence within Bangkok’s colorful fashion landscape.
The horse: The mascot for thriving aspirations
Among the many folk motifs, the horse emerged as the central symbol throughout the collection. In Vietnam, the horse is both a familiar presence in daily life and a representation of endurance, loyalty, and the aspiration for success. From the humor of “Dam cuoi chuot” to the noble spirit of “Ma dao thanh cong” (Galloping to Success), the horse has always been tied to wishes for prosperity and good fortune.
On the runway, this image was reimagined through cuts evoking the motion of galloping hooves, warm hues reminiscent of sunsets over the steppes, and stylized patterns resembling hoofprints across earth and sky. The horse was not only a striking visual element but also a messenger of breakthrough spirit and confidence to reach the world. Each design thus became a symbol that was both aesthetically captivating and deeply infused with cultural meaning.
Vietnam’s remarks in the journey to integration
The moment the models donned “Mong Ho Sac – Dreams of Dong Ho” at TIFW 2025 transformed the Bangkok hall into a living art space. Layered gowns in green, red, and yellow evoked the rhythm of festive celebrations, velvet ao dai adorned with intricate hand embroidery, and velvet coats decorated with folk motifs—all blended into a moving Dong Ho painting.
As the showcase concluded, “Mong Ho Sac – Dreams of Dong Ho” left a lasting impression of pride: Vietnamese heritage not only exists in memory but can also shine vibrantly and endure on the global stage. From a village by the Duong River, Dong Ho spoke out in Bangkok, and from Bangkok, the story of Vietnamese culture spread to friends across the five continents.
