In the Vietnamese fashion industry, Nguyen Ngoc Tu has quickly made a name for himself with his unique designs that elegantly blend traditional culture with modern aesthetics. Despite still being a fashion design student, he has already left a mark with collections rich in national identity, such as “Do Son Nguu Dau” and “Kham Xa Cu”, which have gained recognition not only in Vietnam but also on the international stage. With relentless creativity and a deep passion for fashion, Nguyen Ngoc Tu is steadily captivating the global fashion scene and playing a vital role in bringing Vietnamese culture closer to the world.
Nguyen Ngoc Tu: From the design major to a promising designer
Nguyen Ngoc Tu is currently a fashion design student at Van Lang University. From a young age, he displayed a deep passion for fashion, particularly designs infused with traditional cultural elements. Rather than following contemporary fashion trends, Tu has chosen a unique path – integrating Vietnam’s traditional artistic values into each of his creations. This approach not only allows him to produce highly aesthetic designs but also ensures that each outfit carries cultural depth and significance.
Beyond excelling as a design student, Nguyen Ngoc Tu actively participates in major competitions to challenge himself and refine his skills. With a progressive mindset and relentless creativity, he has achieved remarkable milestones, most notably winning Best National Costume Performance at Miss Grand Vietnam 2023 and Best National Cultural Costume at Miss Grand Vietnam 2024. These accolades not only affirm his talent but also open doors for him to further his career in fashion design.
“Do Son Nguu Dau”: When traditional culture is recreated via fashion
The collection “Do Son Nguu Dau” (Do Son Buffalo Fighting) by Nguyen Ngoc Tu is inspired by the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, one of Vietnam's oldest and most famous traditional festivals. With the spirit of honoring folk culture, Tu skillfully incorporated the image of powerful buffaloes into his designs, using distinctive patterns and special materials to recreate the festival's vibrant atmosphere. The harmonious combination of colors, lines, and fabric treatment techniques made this outfit one of the most impressive designs at Miss Grand Vietnam 2023.
Not only did “Do Son Nguu Dau” win Best National Costume Performance, but it also received high praise from experts and the public. This collection is not just a fashion piece but also a story about the resilience and strength of the Vietnamese people. With this success, Nguyen Ngoc Tu continues to solidify his unique path in the fashion industry, proving that fashion is not just about clothing but also a powerful medium for conveying meaningful cultural values.
“Kham Xa Cu”: A blend of handicraft and high-end fashion
Building on the success of “Do Son Nguu Dau”, Nguyen Ngoc Tu once again amazed the public with his collection “Kham Xa Cu” (Mother-of-pearl Inlay), inspired by mother-of-pearl inlay art—one of Vietnam’s most highly valued traditional crafts. This design earned him the Best National Costume award at Miss Grand Vietnam 2024, affirming his serious dedication and relentless creativity.
To complete this masterpiece, Tu invested over 120 million VND and spent more than a year researching and crafting it. He shared, “More than 1,000 pieces of synthetic leather, imitating the shells of pearls and mollusks, were meticulously hand-embellished over two months. For me, spending a significant amount to create a design rich in traditional cultural identity and leaving a lasting impression on the audience is absolutely worth it”. Beyond its high aesthetic value, “Kham Xa Cu” carries a profound message about cultural preservation. Through this design, Tu hopes to inspire young people to embrace their role in nurturing and safeguarding Vietnam’s long-standing cultural heritage. He emphasized, “Let’s strive to create works that are not only innovative but also ignite inspiration and instill national pride in the younger generation. Every stitch and detail in ‘Kham Xa Cu’ tells a story of perseverance, passion, and love for our homeland”.
Aspiration of promoting Vietnamese culture to the world through fashion
Nguyen Ngoc Tu does not stop at personal achievements – he carries a grand ambition: bringing Vietnamese culture closer to the world through fashion. To him, each outfit is not just a fashion piece but an artistic creation that tells cultural and historical stories. That is why he constantly seeks traditional values to incorporate into his designs, allowing the international audience to better appreciate the beauty of Vietnam.
Sharing his vision for the future, Tu expressed, “I always want to integrate the beauty of traditional culture into my designs to introduce and promote it to the world. I want to tell everyone that Vietnam is a country with a rich and diverse cultural heritage”. Through relentless effort, he is gradually turning this dream into reality, elevating Vietnamese fashion onto the global stage. Looking ahead, he plans to create more collections deeply rooted in national identity while participating in major fashion events to showcase Vietnam to the world.
With exceptional talent and unwavering passion, Nguyen Ngoc Tu is solidifying his place in Vietnam’s fashion industry. His collections are not only a testament to creativity but also embody the essence of Vietnamese culture, helping to promote the country’s image internationally. In the future, with perseverance and continuous innovation, Nguyen Ngoc Tu is poised to become one of the most promising young designers, pushing Vietnamese fashion further onto the world stage.
Cameron Truong
