Models show off new 'áo dài' collections at the opening ceremony of the ninth HCM City Áo Dài Festival on March 3. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Tuyết

HCM CITY — Twenty-one new collections of áo dài (traditional long dress) created by well-known fashion designers were showcased at the opening ceremony of the ninth HCM City Áo Dài Festival on March 3.

It was held on Nguyễn Huệ Street in District 1.

The designers included Sĩ Hoàng, Đỗ Trịnh Hoài Nam, Việt Hùng, Trisha Võ, Trung Đinh, Liên Hương, Ella Phan, Đức Huy, Vũ Huy, Tuấn Hải, and Tạ Linh Nhân.

The collections highlighted the origin, heritage, aspirations, and global integration of the Vietnamese traditional long dress.

Dương Anh Đức, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, said the beauty of the áo dài provided endless inspiration for designers and artists to make the festival an attractive and popular annual event.

"It has become the city’s signature culture and tourism event, promoting the traditional cultural values and the beauty and grace of the dress and the city as a friendly, vibrant and safe tourist destination," he said.

A workshop on preserving and developing the costume and a roundtable on its beauty were held at the Youth Cultural House on March 4.

A number of the national costume-related activities will be organised at cultural and historical sites and popular tourist landmarks in the city throughout this month, including a design contest and photo and video online competition and exhibitions.

The event is organised by the city's tourism authority and the Vietnamese women’s union chapter. —VNS