Chapter 11 — The Ao Dai Shop at the End of the Street

While the war outside continued, a new conflict began to arise within Doan's family. As document preparation and community activities took up more and more time, Ms. Ngoc Huong began to worry about the salon's business being affected.

"You've neglected too many orders in the past month," she told Doan one evening, her voice unable to hide the worry. "I understand you want to protect the shop, but if we don't have enough income, how can we maintain the shop to protect it?"

Doan felt a little hurt by that scolding, although she understood that her mother's concerns were legitimate. "I know, Mom. But if I don't put all my effort into this, we might lose the store completely before we can even worry about revenue."

"I don't deny the importance of what you're doing," Mrs. Ngoc Huong replied, her voice softening. "But I think we need to find a better balance. You can't shoulder everything alone."

That conversation made Doan realize that she had been so focused on the fight to protect her heritage that she had unintentionally neglected other responsibilities that were equally important to the survival of the shop. She decided to take the time to rearrange her work and divide responsibilities more appropriately among members of the salon.

***

Along with the tensions in the family, Bich Ngan also began to express different thoughts about the future of traditional ao dai sewing. During a conversation, she shared with Doan about her desire to experiment with more modern designs, combining tradition and contemporary fashion trends.

"I think, if we want to attract more young customers, maybe we need to innovate a bit," Bich Ngan said, her voice full of youthful enthusiasm. "It's not about completely abandoning tradition, but about finding ways to combine it to better suit modern tastes."

Doan pondered that proposal. "I understand what you mean, but I'm worried that if we change too much, we might lose the unique identity that has made the shop famous for many generations."

"I'm not saying it's changed completely," Bich Ngan explained further. "It's just that, perhaps we can develop a new product line, for young customers who want to wear ao dai on less formal occasions, combining more modern materials and patterns, while still keeping the traditional product line for important ceremonial occasions."

That idea made Doan think seriously. She realized that preserving tradition does not have to be completely opposite to innovation, as long as that innovation is done consciously, respecting core values.

"I will think about your proposal," Doan said. "Perhaps, after resolving the immediate problem with the beautification project, we can test this new direction."

***

In the evening, when sharing with Quang Duy about the new thoughts that arose in his heart, Doan received an interesting perspective from him. "I think Bich Ngan's idea is really valuable," he said. "In planning work, I also always believe that the most effective preservation is not to completely freeze a place in the past, but to help it continue to live and develop in a way that is suitable for the present, while still retaining its core soul."

"You're right," Doan admitted, feeling enlightened by that perspective. "Perhaps, the fight to protect this street is not only about preventing destruction, but also about finding ways for it to continue to develop in a sustainable, meaningful way for both the present and the future."

"That is exactly what I hope to contribute, if the project is adjusted in the right direction," Quang Duy said. "It's not about completely eliminating it, but about developing responsibly, respecting the values that already exist."

That conversation opened up for Doan a new vision of the future, not only about protecting the status quo, but also about proactively shaping a sustainable direction for the Vinh Xuan shop and the entire Hoai Xuan ancient street, harmoniously combining heritage preservation and adapting to the inevitable changes of the times.

***

The next day, Doan convened a small meeting with his mother, Bich Ngan, and both of the shop's longtime workers, to discuss restructuring the work to be more reasonable. She realized that in order to both maintain her business and continue the fight to protect the street, there needed to be a clearer and more effective division of tasks.

"I think we should divide the work into two groups," Doan proposed, presenting the plan she had been thinking about all night. "One group focuses entirely on production, serving customers, ensuring stable revenue. The remaining group, mainly children, will continue advocacy work, coordinating with lawyers and conservation funds."

"I think it's a reasonable plan," Mrs. Ngoc Huong agreed, feeling relieved to see that her daughter had listened and adjusted her approach. "Mom will take on the main supervisory role for daily production operations."

Bich Ngan, with her growing enthusiasm and talent, volunteered to take on the additional responsibility of receiving and consulting new customers, and at the same time began testing new design ideas that she had long cherished.

"I will try not to disappoint you," Bich Ngan said, her eyes filled with determination at the new opportunity given to her.

"I trust you," Doan replied, smiling at the young student's increasingly obvious maturity. "This is also an opportunity for me to develop more management skills, not just sewing skills."

This new work assignment quickly became effective. In the following weeks, the shop's revenue gradually stabilized, while Doan still had enough time to continue important advocacy activities for preserving the street.

***

One afternoon, while checking business books, Doan received a surprise call from Ms. Kim Chi, her voice full of excitement. "I have good news, Doan. The Department of Culture has completed the first round of appraisal, and they highly appreciate the historical and architectural value of our street."

"So what does that mean?" Doan asked, her heart beating fast because of nervousness.

"It means that the possibility of the application being approved is very high," Ms. Kim Chi explained, her voice unable to hide her joy. "They will hold an official field appraisal in the next two weeks, with the participation of the provincial expert council. This will be the final step before making an official decision."

That news filled Doan with hope, although she also understood that the next two weeks would be an important time, requiring the most careful preparation to ensure the appraisal went smoothly, bringing positive results to the entire Hoai Xuan ancient street that she and the community had worked hard to protect for many months.

Immediately after the call, Doan convened an emergency meeting with the neighborhood leader and representatives of households to announce the news and plan preparations for the field appraisal. The atmosphere in the meeting was filled with excitement mixed with determination.

"We need to make sure every corner of the street is neat and clean, but still retains its natural beauty, without artificial painting," Doan said, outlining the preparation plan. "The appraisal board needs to see the true value of this place, not a staged version."

"We will mobilize people to thoroughly clean the neighborhood this weekend," the group leader proposed, receiving agreement from everyone present at the meeting.

Mrs. Xuan, despite her old age, also proposed a meaningful idea. "She thought, we should organize a small but meaningful performance about the street's traditional handicrafts on the day the council comes to appraise - not only the ao dai shop, but also other crafts such as paper making and wickerwork, so that they can see the richness and diversity of the intangible cultural heritage here."

That idea received a warm response from everyone present at the meeting. Over the next two weeks, the whole Hoai Xuan ancient street became busier than ever with an atmosphere of excitement and solidarity - from cleaning, decorating, to practicing for the traditional craft show, all aimed at a common goal: proving to the appraisal council that this street truly deserves to be recognized and preserved as a precious cultural heritage of the whole region, an irreplaceable place in the hearts of countless generations who have been born and grew up here.