Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau is the 7,000^th member of a group called “Viet Communal House” and they are launching a project to make Vietnamese Ao dai more popular to the world. As a senior diplomat, Chau has made it his personal habit to wear Ao dai in major diplomatic events and he has done so for 10 years. 

He stressed the importance of adopting Ao dai as Vitenam's national costume at more and more international events. “While abroad, we should show more clearly Vietnam’s cultural essences to the world. One way to do so is to wear Ao dai. That’s why I wear Ao dai when I present a letter of credential, or meet with a foreign head of state, during Vietnam’s National Day and Lunar New Year celebrations, or at other major events.” 

The ambassador and other members of  the“Viet Communal House” enter the communal house for an incense offering ritual. 

People admire the Ambassador’s dedication, calling him the “communal house chief” and the “ambassador of Ao dai”. 

Ambassador Chau said he admires the “Viet Communal House” group for their passion to preserve national tradition and heritage. It shows the great power of community and people. 

Ambassador Chau said he hopes Ao dai for men will become as popular as Ao dai for women and be the official national attire that only Vietnamese have.   

Ambassador Chau said he hopes Ao dai for men will become as popular as Ao dai for women and be the official national attire that only Vietnamese have. 

Despite drizzle and responsibilities preceding the Lunar New year festival, Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau enthusiastically joined locals in So village to celebrate an authentic Vietnamese festival. 

All participants don the simple traditional Ao dai, recalling the Vietnamese countryside of a bygone time.