Vietnamese art, fashion and music will be introduced at Vietnamese Cultural Days in Washington DC and New York City from August 8 to 12 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Sewn together: Designs by Diego Cortizas bearing images of the US will be displayed during the Vietnamese Cultural Days held in Washington DC and New York.

Fashion shows by Vietnamese designers will be held in each city. They will be entitled Miraculous Transformation, referring to the years leading up to recognition.

Designer Lan Huong will show off traditional, hand-embroidered ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress), while Minh Hanh will display outfits made from brocade woven by ethnic women.

Quang Nhat will use denim, a popular material among Americans, to create dresses printed with images of Vietnamese architecture.

Diego Cortizas, owner of Hanoi-based Chula brand, will use Vietnamese silk carrying images of the American flag, the Chrysler Building and the Statue of Liberty.

Minh Hanh, whose family lives in the United States, said overseas Vietnamese were hungry for art and music shows from back home.

"This will be an opportunity for American people to better understand the soul of Vietnam today," said Terry White, Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Vietnam.

"The more our people learn about each other, the more that Vietnam and the US will be able to work together to find solutions to many global challenges."

Folk concerts entitled Essence of Vietnam, Colours of Vietnam and Night of Lotus will also be held at both the Terrace Theatre and Millennium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington.

Various kinds of music from regional Vietnam will be featured, such as quan ho (love duets), gong music, nha nhac (royal court music) and southern folk singing. The performances will be broadcast live back to Vietnam.

During the event, an exhibition of traditional Vietnamese costumes and musical instruments will be held at the New York Historical Society Museum. Visitors will be able to try on the costumes and handle the instruments.