Ao Dai - Connecting heritage with modernity

Experts and guests interact at the festival

The Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Cultural Festival 2025 will take place on June 21, 22 and 28 at the City Book Street with a variety of activities for the public and visitors to experience. This will be an annual event of the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Association.

The opening of the Festival series is the Photo Exhibition “Ao Dai Moments - Saigon Past and Present” displaying 100 works by 20 photographers. In addition, the Festival also has discussions such as “The Art of Photography with Ao Dai” and “Developing Tours to Explore the Culture of Dressing in Ho Chi Minh City”. The highlight of the series of events is the Gala Night of Ao Dai Art Performance, which will take place at the Youth Cultural House at 6:00 p.m. on June 28, promising to create a new space for people and tourists. Along with that, there are many activities that will last until October 20, 2025.

Delegates visit the exhibition "Ao Dai Moments - Saigon past and present"

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Anna Hanh Le, Acting President of the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Association, said that the event not only honors the Ao Dai as a symbol of national culture but also contributes to promoting sustainable fashion trends through the use of natural, environmentally friendly materials. In particular, the theme "Ao Dai in Gratitude" has a profound meaning, expressing the message of solidarity, sharing and gratitude to those who preserve national culture - from designers, artisans to the silent workers behind each Ao Dai.

According to Ms. Anna Hanh Le, the ao dai is not only a traditional costume but has become a living symbol of Vietnamese identity - present from wartime to peacetime, from Vietnam to the world. Although modern life has changed, the ao dai still retains its Vietnamese character in every family. Today's festival is a testament to that journey, when the ao dai has become a part of modern urban life.

Delegates visit the exhibition "Ao Dai Moments - Saigon past and present"

Ms. Anna Hanh Le hopes that the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Cultural Festival will continue to spread the love of Ao Dai through images, actions and simple gestures of gratitude. So that in the future, when someone asks what is special about Vietnamese culture in modern times, each person can answer, "We have an Ao Dai called gratitude."

In addition to collaborating with designers to launch unique ao dai collections and organizing exhibitions, the festival will sell products to raise funds to support local artisans, tailors, and embroiderers.

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/19/174290/ao-dai-ket-noi-di-san-voi-hien-dai