Ao Dai - the graceful ambassador of Hanoi Tourism
The Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival has become a radiant cultural highlight in Vietnam’s capital city, reflecting heritage, beauty and national pride.
THE HANOI TIMES —The Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival, the annual event, honors the timeless Vietnam’s traditional dress Ao Dai, as both a symbol of grace and an ambassador of Hanoi’s tourism identity.
The opening ceremony of the Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival 2025 takes place on November 6. Photo: Le Nam/ The Hanoi Times
This year, the Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival 2025 opened with the spectacular show “Hanoi Ao Dai - Shining the Quintessence of Heritage” on November 6 at the Hanoi Museum, lighting up the capital with colors, music and creativity that blended tradition with modernity.
At the opening, Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said the festival aims to spread love for Ao Dai, preserve its value in social life and affirm its role as a symbol of Vietnamese elegance.
She noted that Ao Dai is not only part of Vietnam’s cultural identity but also a tourism ambassador, connecting friends worldwide, contributing to Hanoi’s image as an elegant, civilized and creative city and supporting its green tourism goals.
The festival is a platform for designers, artisans and artists from across Vietnam to showcase Ao Dai as a bridge between past and present, a living heritage that connects Hanoi with the nation’s diverse cultures.
Vietnamese traditional Ao Dai showcases its beauty at the Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival 2025.
Among the highlights is the “Golden Imprint” collection by artisan Nghiem Van Dat, Chairman of the Trach Xa Traditional Ao Dai Sewing Village Cooperative, who expressed hope to revive and spread the beauty of ancient Ao Dai designs.
"We use silk from traditional craft villages like Van Phuc and Nha Xa in Hanoi, and Bao Loc in Lam Dong, to weave a story that blends creativity with tradition," said Dat.
Equally captivating is “Purple in the Heart of Hue” by designer Duc Hung, featuring velvet, chiffon and silk to represent Hue’s gentleness and elegance. “With this collection, I hope to rekindle love for Hue among the younger generation through its signature purple, the color that forever lingers in our cultural memory,” he said.
Beyond the runway, the festival offers a range of cultural experiences.
Until November 9, visitors can join workshops on embroidery, Ao Dai painting and bamboo craft. Traditional ca tru and quan ho performances fill the open-air space of the Hanoi Museum, enriching the festive atmosphere.
Programs such as the children’s show “I Love Hanoi” and the final round of the “Ao Dai – Connecting Heritage” design contest aim to inspire young people to appreciate and preserve Vietnam’s traditional attire.
On November 9, the program “Women of the Capital – Integration and Development” will take place at the Hanoi Museum, with around 600 participants from various sectors across the city.
The excitement continues on November 15 with the Ao Dai Parade around Hoan Kiem Lake, followed by a double-decker bus tour, two experiences that beautifully merge Hanoi’s heritage with its modern spirit.
As the festival unfolds, Hanoi becomes a living canvas of color and pride, where every Ao Dai tells a story and every visitor joins in celebrating the capital’s enduring charm.
