Themed “Discovering Hanoi’s Beauty”, the 3-day festival opened on Friday, offering a glimpse into the lives of Hanoians and the Vietnamese people throughout different periods. It features a community ‘ao dai runway’ and an exhibition space showcasing the creations of renowned ao dai designers across the country.

Dang Le Minh Tri, the festival’s consultant said, "Ao dai from three regions beautifully line the area around Hoan Kiem Lake. Each region’s ao dai holds its own charm. It’s the Vietnamese ao dai that fills us with pride.”

The festival includes a parade featuring 1,000 members of the Hanoi Women’s Union and an ao dai performance by 600 female students, civil servants, and children. Pham Thi Thanh Huong, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi Women’s Union, said that these activities are intended to rekindle the community’s pride of and sense of responsibility for preserving and promoting national cultural identity.

The ao dai isn’t just a source of pride for women but for the whole community, Huong said, adding "we want to generate community interest and promote the ao dai’s significance in social life, especially tourism."

Besides the Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2023, the Hanoi Women’s Union initiated an Ao Dai Week earlier this month when graceful women in the ao dai were frequently seen in government buildings, offices, schools, and on the streets. The Ao Dai Week received a strong response from Hanoi’s women.

Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi Women’s Union, said, “Women’s unions have organized various events to promote the ao dai. They’re also giving the ao dai to women in need throughout 2023, receiving a positive response from many women and the community at large.”