Overview of the event (Photo: TITC)

Attending the event were Former Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh; Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai; leaders of ministries, departments and central branches; leaders and former leaders of City agencies and localities; representatives of diplomatic agencies, associations, tourism businesses, airlines, tourism training schools, press agencies…

Ao Dai is one of the typical costumes associated with the production and cultural life of Vietnamese people for many generations. Along with the country's socio-economic development, with Vietnam's increasingly deep participation in international activities, ao dai has become familiar and become one of the symbols of Vietnam in the hearts of international friends. Preserving and promoting the traditional value of ao dai is contributing to nurturing, cultivating and building a Vietnamese culture rich in national identity and promoting the country and people of Vietnam.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung speaking at the event (Photo: TITC)

Giving an opening remark, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee stressed, over the past 10 years, with an ever-expanding scale and increasingly rich content, the Ao Dai Festival has left a deep impression and become an annual event that City residents and tourists look forward to every March. Ao Dai Festival is an outstanding culture and tourism event, contributing to creating a brand for the City's tourism. The festival is also an opportunity to review the nation's patriotic traditions and highlight the indomitable will of Vietnamese women when associated with the events such as the celebration of International Women's Day 8th March, Hai Ba Trung Uprising…

City leaders giving flowers to festival ambassadors (Photo: TITC)

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai festival has become a public festival by attracting an increasing number of Ao Dai tailoring establishments, artisans, designers, artists, domestic and foreign tourists… contribute to turning ao dai into a popular, highly applicable outfit among all classes, all ages, and genders. Ao Dai Festival is also a festival of sharing and spreading when there are many meaningful activities aimed at the community; is a cultural bridge expressing affection and appreciation for the relationships of solidarity, friendship, and good cooperation between Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular with international friends.

Leaders giving flowers to express gratitude to the designers who accompanied the festival (Photo: TITC)

The organising board giving certificates of merit to groups and individuals who made many contributions to the festival (Photo: TITC)

Establishing a Vietnamese record as "The Ao Dai Festival is held most continuously every year in Vietnam" (Photo: TITC)

City residents and tourists had a satisfying night filled with many emotions when admiring the performance of unique ao dai collections from 30 famous designers across the country.

The festival takes place from 7-17th March at many locations in the City such as: President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park and Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, Lam Son Park, Youth Cultural House, Ao dai Museum, QT4 Square (Saigon Riverside Park, Thu Duc), at historical relics, cultural relics, tourist destinations... with a series of activities such as: Ao dai performance show (8th March); Art programme with the theme "Ao Dai - Colours of the Ho Chi Minh City” (8th March); Contest "Charming Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai” (9th March); Online Ao Dai Contest (February and March); Exhibition and interaction space with Ao Dai (7th - 17th March); Forum "The beauty of Vietnamese Ao Dai and international integration" (10th March); Showroom displays traditional ao dai fabric (10th - 15th March)…

A number of photos of the ao dai performance at the opening night:

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