Ms Doan Thi Nguyet (Photo: Minh Tam)

After more than 20 years in the tailoring profession, Ms. Nguyet realized that many women longed to own an ao dai but couldn’t afford one.

"Many of my customers told me they wore the traditional long dress only once or twice and didn’t know who to give them to afterward. Meanwhile, many women still dream of having one but lack the means to buy it. My sister and I saw two unmet needs—those who wanted to donate but didn’t know where, and those who wanted to receive but had no access. That’s why we created a community space where this iconic dress could be shared with love, and that’s how the 'Zero Dong Ao Dai Shop' was born," said Ms Nguyet. 

The shop welcomes women from all walks of life, from factory workers to lottery sellers and . But no matter who they are, they are warmly welcomed by Ms. Nguyet and Ms. Linh.  

“We give away ao dai for free to anyone who wants one. As long as you love the ao dai, you will get one. We don’t differentiate between people who are struggling and people who are not, because we believe that people who are truly well-off will not take anything from those who are in need. So, everyone who comes into our store is received with warmth and love,” said Ms Linh. 

For those unable to visit in person, the shop offers an online service where customers can select ao dai via video. The two sisters will pack and ship them.

Every ao dai donated to the shop undergoes a meticulous sorting, repair, and cleaning process. They are sorted by color while bust, waist, and hip measurements are attached to each ao dai so each customer can find one that fits them well.  

"When I receive an ao dai from a customer, I check it thoroughly. Those in good condition with no stitching issues are set aside. If repairs are needed, such as replacing zippers, fixing buttons, or re-sewing seams, I place them in a separate pile. If an ao dai is generally in good shape but shows signs of wear or is soiled, I soak it and wash it. Ones that are wrinkled I iron. Once an ao dai is hung up, it’s ready to shine, with no visible defects," said Ms. Nguyet. 

Ms Doan Thi Nguyet (Photo: Minh Tam)

The store quickly became popular with donors. People from all over the country send ao dai to spread the love.

Ms. Nghiem from Hai Phong said: "I have a shop offering ao dai for rent. I send Nguyet and Linh the slightly outdated ones. They are still beautiful ao dai, not worn out. Every time I send an ao dai, I feel very happy to be  contributing something. The work that Ms. Nguyet and Linh are doing is very meaningful. Every Vietnamese woman should have an ao dai," said Ms. Nghiem from Hai Phong. 

Balancing the tailoring work with managing the Zero Dong store sometimes overwhelms the two sisters, but seeing the joy of their customers gives Linh and Nguyet the strength to keep going.  

 "One customer, a woman over 70 years old, came in to get an ao dai and told me it was the first ao dai she ever had. She said she would treasure it and keep it as a keepsake until the end of her life. The way she said it really touched me. She was an old woman who had never had an ao dai of her own, and had spent her entire life working hard for her family. I thought to myself, why did I take so long to open this store? If I had opened it earlier, she might have had a few more years to wear her ao dai," said Ms. Nguyet.

As Vietnam joyfully celebrates Vietnam Ao Dai Week in early March—a tradition that began in 2019 to honor the elegance of this iconic garment and the spirit of International Women's Day—the "Zero Dong Ao Dai Shop" is set to welcome a flurry of visitors. More than just a place to find a dress, the shop embodies the timeless beauty and cultural pride of the Ao Dai, ensuring that every woman, regardless of circumstance, can embrace its grace and wear it with pride.