Suggestions for tourism development and cultural exploration through Vietnamese Ao Dai

Vietnamese Ao Dai - a symbol of the Vietnamese soul has long been not only a traditional costume but also a cultural bridge, national pride and endless inspiration for tourism and art.

On the morning of June 22 at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Association, Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association, Ho Chi Minh City Book Street Company, Ho Chi Minh City Tourism and Travel Association, Ho Chi Minh City People's Radio, Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper organized a seminar on Developing tours to explore the culture of wearing in Ho Chi Minh City , part of the series of events of Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Culture Festival 2025 with the meaningful theme of Ao Dai gratitude .

Guests of the seminar included Prof. Dr. Huynh Quoc Thang - Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Voanh - Deputy Head of Communication -Education - International Relations Department (Southern Women's Museum) and Acting President of Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Association - designer Anna Hanh Le...

Vietnamese Ao Dai - symbol of Vietnamese soul, a cultural bridge with the world

PHOTO: THANH PHAM

Cultural experience travel

The guests attending the discussion all affirmed that the Vietnamese Ao Dai is a cultural symbol imbued with national identity, expressing the graceful and elegant beauty of Vietnamese women. The Vietnamese Ao Dai has changed over time with many styles and materials, from modern to innovative... But no matter what, the traditional Ao Dai of Vietnamese women still retains the graceful, sexy, and discreet features that no other outfit can bring, and has become an indispensable part of the cultural life of Vietnamese people.

HCMC female student graceful in Ao Dai on the street

PHOTO: NGUYEN A

Movie actress Ly Huong loves to wear Ao Dai when attending events.

PHOTO: NVCC

Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association Huynh Quoc Thang shared: "I really agree with the issue raised by the organizing committee, which is how to combine Vietnam's ao dai cultural heritage to develop tourism. We are preparing a dossier to be recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, and it is necessary that ao dai becomes a tourism product, a characteristic of Vietnamese culture."

"We must bring tourism products to places with many tourists so that they can not only take pictures and experience. We must have beautiful, professional tailors so that tourists can immediately bring home finished products. The products must be packaged and marketed in a professional manner," Mr. Huynh Quoc Thang emphasized.

Designer Anna Hanh Le affirmed: "For me, ao dai is not just a costume, but a living cultural symbol. When ao dai is included in cultural discovery tours, it is a way for us to light the fire of love, arouse national pride and honor the talent of the Vietnamese people. Visitors not only admire but also experience the journey of creating an ao dai - from natural silk fibers to hand-sewn and hand-embroidered techniques. Thereby, culture is no longer contained in books but becomes a living experience, connecting the past, present and future."

Having experienced a lot with Ao Dai at the Southern Women's Museum, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Voanh said: "Foreign visitors who come to visit and see museum staff wearing Ao Dai all really like and are fascinated by the graceful Ao Dai of Vietnam. For me, the image of Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh in Ao Dai at the signing of the Paris Agreement is very touching every time I look back. Now, many young men and women at special events also like Ao Dai, I am very proud and wish to spread the love of Ao Dai to everyone, especially through tourism".

Nowadays, many young families also choose to wear traditional ao dai when traveling.

PHOTO: TRUNG LE

Designer Anna Hanh Le added: "Currently, the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Association is gradually developing cultural experience tours - where visitors can participate in silk selection workshops, try on designs, tailoring, and even wear Ao Dai to participate in traditional ceremonies or explore historical sites. It is a journey to discover Vietnamese culture through the lens of beauty, fashion, and above all, of spiritual connection."

The speakers recommended that cultural tours should include fabric selection experiences, introductions to the silk weaving process, and visits to craft villages, thereby spreading the message of loving beauty, the environment, and indigenous culture. Because when tourists witness the craftsmanship and dedication of artisans, they will feel more deeply the true value of the Vietnamese ao dai - not only beautiful but also sustainable and extremely humane.

"Ho Chi Minh City is a modern city but still preserves its unique cultural identity. When combining Ao Dai with historical destinations such as Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, Ben Thanh Market or Nguyen Van Binh Book Street..., we are creating a travel journey that is experiential, learning and leaves emotional impressions. That is a great potential to develop a unique cultural tourism model, with the center being Ao Dai - a symbol of the Vietnamese soul", said Anna Hanh Le, Acting President of the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Association.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hien-ke-phat-trien-du-lich-kham-pha-van-hoa-qua-ta-ao-dai-viet-nam-185250622121809047.htm