The opening ceremony of 10th Áo dài Festival  on the evening of March 7. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY - The 10th Áo dài Festival, a signature event of HCM City, officially kicked off with many fun activities.

At its opening ceremony on the evening of March 7, the public was treated to a spectacle of over 800 áo dài designs meticulously crafted by 30 renowned local designers, with more than 20 prominent writers, artists, and celebrities serving as ambassadors for the event.

Particularly noteworthy was a performance of female consuls general and consuls general's spouses wearing ao dai, showing the charm of the Vietnamese traditional attire and the friendship and cooperation between nations.

At the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Dũng attributed the success of the festival over the last decade to concerted efforts and support among authorities, organisations, businesses, and locals.

On the occasion, the annual event also earned a special record for the biggest number of consecutive annual editions held so far.

The festival marks 10 years of its development. The event has become an annual unique cultural tourism product spreading the love for Vietnamese traditional dress to local people and foreign visitors.

The festival and other festive events of the city are expected to contribute to promoting images of Việt Nam and HCM City to the world, presenting national culture and identities of the southern metropolis, he emphasized.

On the morning of Women's Day ( March 8), there were a special performance of áo dài with the participation of more than 1000 womens from city's departments and districts' authority and student from high schools. 

The special performance of áo dài with the participation of more than 1000 females. VNS Photo Xuân Đăng

The annual Áo dài festival which is co-organised by the municipal Department of Tourism and the city Women’s Unio and took place in HCM City from March 7 to 17.

During the festival, several interactive activities are set to be held, including an art programme, competitions, exhibition spaces, and an event where ao dai are presented to disadvantaged women. VNS