Over 58,000 people performed a mass ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) parade in Ho Chi Minh City.

On March 7th and 8th, over 58,000 people at various locations across Ho Chi Minh City participated in a mass folk dance performance and a parade in traditional Vietnamese ao dai. This was a highlight event within the framework of the 12th Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival in 2026.

Báo Sài Gòn Giải phóng•08/03/2026

A large crowd of people performed folk dances and paraded along Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. (Photo by: TIEU TAN)

On the morning of March 8th, at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park and Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, a mass folk dance performance and a parade of traditional Vietnamese dresses (áo dài) attracted a large number of members of the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Union, along with the attention of local people, domestic and international tourists.

Former female leaders, including members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, the Secretariat, and the City Council, along with leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and a large number of citizens, paraded in traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. Photo: DUNG PHUONG

According to the organizers, in addition to the central area, people in many localities, tourist spots, historical and cultural relics, and parks throughout the city also organized mass performances and parades to support the festival. The event attracted more than 58,000 people, including about 3,000 participants on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street.

Former female leaders, including members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, the Party Secretariat, and the City Council, along with leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and a large number of citizens, paraded in traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. Photo: DUNG PHUONG

3,000 people performed a mass dance on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. Photo: DUNG PHUONG

Miss Nguyen Hoang Phuong Linh - ambassador of the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2025 at the event. Photo: DUNG PHUONG

Young people perform folk dances and parade along Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. Photo: DUNG PHUONG

Present at the event, Ms. Hoang Doan Trang, a member of the Women's Union of Cau Ong Lanh Ward, said this was her seventh time participating in the ao dai parade. According to her, the ao dai has long been a symbol of the gentle and elegant beauty of Vietnamese women and the national cultural identity. The mass performance and parade, with the participation of thousands of women members in the center of Ho Chi Minh City and many other locations, demonstrated the pride, solidarity, and aspirations for development of the city's women.

Representatives of the Women's Union of Cau Ong Lanh ward at the event. Photo: TIEU TAN

Ms. Le Thi Hieu, 65 years old, a member of the Women's Union of Nhieu Loc Ward, shared that this is her fifth time participating in the activities of the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival. According to her, the activities are becoming more innovative and spectacular, and the atmosphere of the mass performance on the morning of March 8th was very lively, strongly spreading love for the Vietnamese Ao Dai.

Representatives of the Women's Union of Nhieu Loc Ward at the event. Photo: Organizing Committee.

Wearing a traditional Vietnamese ao dai, Simon, a tourist from New Zealand, said he was very impressed with Ho Chi Minh City's ao dai parade. He shared that he had worn an ao dai a few times before, but this was the first time he had participated in such a lively parade.

Mr. Simon and women from Ho Chi Minh City at the parade on the morning of March 8th on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. Photo: TIEU TAN

Many international tourists enjoyed the Ao Dai parade.

A large number of people wore traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Organizing Committee.

Ảnh chụp Màn hình 2026-03-08 lúc 12.18.40.png — The Women's Association of Hamlet 64, Tan Vinh Loc Commune, performed folk dances at the 1968 Tet Offensive Memorial Site. Source: Organizing Committee.

Earlier, on March 7th, a mass folk dance performance combined with a parade of traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses also took place in the Tam Thang Tower area, Vung Tau ward, and the Becamex Administrative Center, Binh Duong ward.

At Tam Thang Tower Square, 1,200 women from Vung Tau, Tam Thang, Rach Dua, and Phuoc Thang wards participated in a vibrant event, dressed in dazzling ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dresses). The lively program attracted the attention of many locals and tourists, contributing to a joyful atmosphere on the weekend. The event also demonstrated a spirit of interaction, connection, positive living, and the spreading of a beautiful image of women in the modern era.