Royal Costumes

Costumes are one of the factors that reflect cultural imprints in each era and are an important component of the lifestyle of a region or a nation.

Ngu Than Attire

Is a type of traditional Vietnamese costume. It has high collar straight and square, with 5 buttons made of metal, jade or wood. The shirt has five bodies representing the four mothers and fathers, and one inside represents himself (the wearer). The hem of the shirt is not tight, but wide, the lower it is, the more it spreads and the tail is curved. There are two main types: Áo ngũ thân tay chẽn (sleeves are tightly tied to the wearer's hand) and Áo ngũ thân tay thụng (also known as the tunic).

‍

In addition to the unique ruong house architecture, sophisticated cuisine, we, Ancient Hue, officially, bring carefully-prepared áo tấc, áo ngũ thân tay chẽm và áo Nhật Bình to present to you. To delve into these cultural treasures, we cordially invite you to make inquiries and reservations at our reception area.

‍

Nhật Bình Attire

The Nhật Bình attire is a traditional royal costume worn by noblewomen and princesses during the Nguyễn Dynasty in Vietnam. Characterized by its square collar and flowing silhouette, the garment features intricate hand-embroidered motifs symbolizing prosperity, harmony, and imperial elegance.

Regarding colors, the Nhật Bình worn by the empress was in the imperial yellow and orange shades; the princesses wore red; second-rank concubines wore scarlet; third-rank concubines wore purple; and fourth-rank concubines wore light purple.

Regarding materials, the empress’s Nhật Bình was made from precious gold-threaded silk, while the Nhật Bình of princesses and concubines of second and third rank were made from regular silk, dyed according to court regulations.

‍

What makes Costumes Experience at Ancient Hue different from others?

‍While many local tailors produce beautiful and high-quality Nhật Bình garments, Ancient Hue takes authenticity and craftsmanship to the highest level. We collaborate with master artisans who are not just experienced tailors, but are the very same craftsmen serving the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre within the Imperial City (Đại Nội). These specialists dedicate their work to preserving royal garments for museums and state heritage, ensuring every stitch and embroidery detail in our Nhật Bình is as historically accurate and culturally refined as possible. This level of authenticity and hand embroidery is rarely found elsewhere.

More importantly, beyond the clothing, the Kim Long Dining space itself exudes heritage. With wood carvings and mother-of-pearl inlays crafted by renowned artisans from Huế, the atmosphere reflects centuries of royal artistry. An original Nhật Bình, made as a reserve for the last empress of the Nguyễn dynasty but never worn, is displayed in the center of the restaurant. Alongside it is a small armrest pillow, which, though modest in size, is one of the final masterpieces by the late artisan who created it. The pillow was commissioned personally by Emperor Bảo Đại, made exclusively by this artisan for the emperor to use and to gift to distinguished guests.

This is the story behind the armrest pillow displayed here.

‍

‍