HÀ NỘI — Thousands of women across the nation this week dressed up in áo dài (Vietnamese traditional dress) to support "The Week of Áo Dài".

Vietnamese women in 'áo dài' pose for photos by Hoàn Kiếm Lake in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Đức

Launched by the Việt Nam Women's Union to celebrate the 113th anniversary of International Women’s Day (March 8), the week-long event aims to raise individual awareness and people's pride and responsibility in preserving and promoting the traditional costume regarded as a national cultural heritage.

Women's union members, particularly those who are officials, civil servants and businesswomen, are encouraged to wear áo dài throughout the week.

Miss Universe Vietnam 2018 H'Hen Niê (2nd left) participates in a parade entitled ‘I Love Vietnamese Áo Dài’ in HCM City on March 5. The parade is part of HCM City’s 9th Áo Dài Festival. — VNA/VNS Photo Thu Hương

In the capital city of Hà Nội, a áo dài donation campaign for poor and disadvantaged women received enthusiastic responses from hundreds of women.

Representatives of diplomatic missions in HCM City lean about Vietnamese silk and 'áo dài' at a discussion entitled ‘The Beauty of Vietnamese Áo Dài - Preservation and Development’. The event was held by the city’s Department of Tourism, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Women’s Union. — VNA/VNS Photo Mỹ Phương

In HCM City, several cultural activities related to áo dài, such as a parade, photo contest, and a pageant, have been held.

The city's Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Women’s Union, organised a discussion entitled "The Beauty of Vietnamese Áo Dài: Preservation and Development" to promote the cultural values of the traditional dress to international friends.

In Huế, both Vietnamese and foreign women in áo dài at any tourism spot under the management of the Huế Monuments Conservation Centre have been offered free entrance.

In Huế, women in 'áo dài' can visit many tourism spots for free. — Photo courtesy of Võ Thạnh

The offer is also under an ongoing project, "Huế - Capital of Áo Dài", conducted by the province's culture authority to revive the elegant dress to its former glory, aiming to attract more visitors. The reviving of the áo dài would also reaffirm Huế was the birthplace of the traditional dress.

More than 2,000 women participate in an 'áo dài' parade in Nha Trang City, Khánh Hòa Province. VNA/VNS Photo Phan Sáu

The traditional dresses are suitable for all ages. It has become the standard costume for women on formal occasions, national holidays, graduation days, weddings, New Year festivals, and other festivities.

A symbolic image of Vietnamese beauty, áo dài has made a great contribution to promoting the image of Vietnamese women worldwide. — VNS