(Photo: hanoimoi.vn)

The highlight of the opening ceremony was an art performance called “Quintessence of Ao Dai,” in three parts – Golden History, Bridge of Interaction, and Inspiration Journey. The program merged traditional and modern elements in recreating the 70 years since the Liberation of the capital, using the Vietnamese ao dai as the central theme.
Designer Do Trinh Hoai Nam, President of the Vietnam Ao Dai Club, said: “I designed 50 ao dai outfits for the event—25 for men, adorned with dragon and phoenix motifs and traditional patterns, and 25 for women, focused primarily on lotus designs. This collection highlights traditional Vietnamese symbols, notably hand-painted and embroidered dragon and phoenix motifs by skilled artisans from craft villages.

An Ao Dai Carnival will take place on Saturday, from Doan Mon Square to the Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center, along Hoang Dieu, Hoang Van Thu, and Doc Lap streets, before returning to the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

The festival will also include ao dai fashion shows by multiple designers, the final round of an ao dai design competition, exhibitions, and displays of top ao dai brands. Additionally, craft villages, tourism products, and Hanoi's cuisine will be showcased.

Other planned activities include an ao dai design competition for young designers, a free city bus tour for tourists wearing ao dai, and multiple art performances.

Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said: “The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage. Holding the event at the site underscores its historical and cultural value and its perfect fit as a backdrop for showcasing ao dai.”

The Ao Dai Festival is an annual event organized by the Hanoi Department of Tourism to promote tourism in Hanoi and Vietnam, and to preserve and honor the cultural heritage of the traditional Vietnamese ao dai.