Bridge" connects tradition and modernity
In the vibrant pace of life in Ho Chi Minh City, the image of graceful ao dai is increasingly appearing in daily life, from offices, schools to streets, tourist attractions and cultural spaces. Not only traditional costumes, ao dai is becoming a symbol contributing to honoring the beauty of Vietnamese culture and spreading the image of a modern city but still rich in identity.
For many young people, wearing ao dai is not only in response to the movement but also a way to show respect for traditional cultural values.
Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha (25 years old, office worker in Ho Chi Minh City) shared that in recent days she often chooses to wear ao dai when going to work or participating in community activities.
Wearing the ao dai, I feel both confident and proud. This is not only a beautiful outfit but also shows the cultural identity of Vietnamese people" - Ms. Ha said.
Especially in March, Ho Chi Minh City promoted many activities to honor Ao Dai through a series of events in the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2026 such as Ao Dai performances, Ao Dai parades, exchanges and learning about the history and cultural values of Ao Dai...
Spreading the image and tourism attraction of the city
Continuing the image of people in traditional ao dai on the streets, representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City tourism industry said that the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival not only has the meaning of honoring culture but also creates a positive impact on promoting destinations and economic development.
Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa - Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism - said that through the series of activities of the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival, the tourism industry not only promotes and promotes destinations but also has a basis to assess the economic impacts of each event. In 2026, the tourism industry aims to invest more deeply in assessment work, in order to have specific data on the contribution of festivals to the socio-economic development of Ho Chi Minh City.
Also according to Mr. Hoa, reality shows that promoting destinations through cultural factors, including ao dai, brings positive effects. The image of ao dai has been introduced many times at international tourism events and received attention and good feedback from international friends.
In the coming time, the city's tourism industry will strengthen the organization of Ao Dai performance programs abroad, thereby helping international tourists better understand the history of formation, development and cultural values of Vietnamese Ao Dai. At the same time, coordinate with relevant agencies to implement Ao Dai promotion programs in the Vietnamese community abroad, contributing to spreading love for the homeland through the image of traditional costumes.
According to Ms. Tran Thi Dieu Thuy - Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, in working life and spiritual activities, ao dai is always closely associated with the Vietnamese nation through many generations. Along with the historical flow, this costume is constantly being innovated in style, material and aesthetic language to suit each stage of development.
In any form, the ao dai still persistently present in daily life, becoming a part of collective memory, a familiar image of homeland in the minds of every Vietnamese person and a symbol of identity, of soul and Vietnamese spirit.
When each citizen is a cultural ambassador, each ao dai is a story told with emotion and belief, the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival will not only stop at the days in March but will become a cultural movement spreading throughout the year" - Ms. Dieu Thuy emphasized.
