The seventh Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai (traditional long dress) Festival kicked off on October 11 at the Vietnam History Museum in district 1, with many excellent collections of famous designers on show.
Children in Ao Dai perform on the opening night of the festival.
The event aimed at honouring traditional cultural values and the love for Ao Dai – the country’s intangible cultural heritage. Particularly, it is part of activities to welcome the city’s 11th Party Congress for the 2020-2025 tenure.
Besides popularising Ao Dai, the festival is expected to introduce HCM City’s tourist sites and people to domestic and international friends.
Delegates present flowers to the 2020 Ao Dai Ambassadors.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong said the annual festival contributes to preserving and promoting the nation’s traditional values, and it is held in response to the “Ao dai – Vietnam’s cultural heritage” event, organised by the Vietnam’s Women Union in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Phong highlighted the necessity to preserve the beauty of Ao Dai, explaining it will help build a modern Vietnamese culture.
This year’s event drew the participation of 14 designers, including Nguyen Tuan, Viet Hung, Vo Viet Chung, Ella Phan, Tuan Hai, Nhat Dung and Do Trinh Hoai Nam.
The HCM City Ao Dai Festival was initiated in 2014 as an outstanding cultural and tourism event of the city. It is also a key tourism product, which was identified while HCM City studied and built its tourism development strategy until 2030.
Ao Dai performances during the opening night of the festival.