Held from March 1 to 31, 2026 (with peak activities from March 6 – 8), the 12th Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union, concluded successfully with a wide range of activities celebrating the beauty of the Vietnamese Ao Dai and promoting the City’s vibrant cultural identity.
After 11 editions, the Festival continued to be a key cultural and tourism event of Ho Chi Minh City each March. It not only honored the Ao Dai as a national symbol but also supported tourism by attracting visitors, and promoting the City’s image internationally.
The year 2026 was especially meaningful, marking 50 years since the City was named after President Ho Chi Minh and 40 years of Doi Moi reforms. In this context, the Ao Dai was seen not only as a traditional costume but also as a symbol of creativity, and future aspirations.
The Opening Ceremony took place on the evening of March 6 at Nguyen Hue Walking Street, under the theme “Cocoon Transforms into Butterfly.” The program brought together 37 designers, nearly 400 Ao Dai designs, over 600 performers and models, and 37 ambassadors, showing the development of Vietnamese culture through the image of silk and Ao Dai.
Another highlight was the mass folk dance and Ao Dai parade on March 8, attracting about 50,000 participants across the City. The event created a strong image of unity, pride, and the spirit of Vietnamese women.
Exhibition and experience spaces were set up at Nguyen Hue Walking Street, metro stations, and the central showroom, giving visitors chances to explore, take photos, and experience Ao Dai in a modern city setting.
The Festival also featured 17 main activities, including art shows, the “Charming Ao Dai” contest, children’s painting competitions, and international talkshows. These activities helped bring the Ao Dai closer to the public, especially young people and international friends. At the same time, the programs “Accompanying Vietnamese Ao Dai” and “Loving Ao Dai” encouraged people to wear Ao Dai, support those in need, and spreading meaningful social values throughout the City.
With its large scale and wide community participation, the Festival continued to highlight its role as a unique tourism product, promoting a friendly, dynamic, and culturally rich Ho Chi Minh City.
| The Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival is an annual cultural event honoring the beauty of the Vietnamese Ao Dai, promoting traditional values, and spreading its presence in modern life. The Festival attracts thousands of participants each year and continues to be one of the City’s key cultural highlights. Official press releases and photos of the Festival are updated at the link: https://bit.ly/4aAcSHF and the following QR code: |
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