A feast for the eyes: A stunning ao dai fashion show along the Han River.

On the evening of April 24th, a large number of locals and tourists gathered along the Han River (Da Nang City) to enjoy the spectacular ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) performances as part of the Da Nang Ao Dai Festival 2026.

Báo Tuổi Trẻ•24/04/2026

Áo dài - Ảnh 1. — On the evening of April 24th, a large crowd of locals and tourists gathered along the Han River ( Da Nang City) to enjoy the spectacular ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) performances as part of the Da Nang Ao Dai Festival 2026. - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

With the theme "The Quintessence of Vietnamese Ao Dai - The Silk Colors of the Han River," the Da Nang Ao Dai Festival 2026, organized for the first time by the city, aims to honor and spread the value of the Ao Dai in contemporary life.

The festival takes place from April 24th to 26th in various central areas of Da Nang city and connects with the ancient town of Hoi An.

At the opening night on April 24th, performances of singing, dancing, and fashion shows featuring traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses representing various regions and ethnic groups created a unique artistic atmosphere. Simultaneously, the presentation of designer Tuan Nguyen's "Essence of Heritage" collection, set to the song "The Silk of Ha Dong," evoked strong emotions in the audience.

The festival marks a new step for Da Nang in its approach to the ao dai, shifting from symbolic value to practical value, bringing the traditional costume from the performance space closer to everyday life.

Through this initiative, the city aims to build an image of a creative, friendly, and distinctive cultural destination, while encouraging the community, businesses, designers, and artisans to participate in developing and promoting the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress).

Áo dài - Ảnh 2. — With the theme "The Quintessence of Vietnamese Ao Dai - The Silk Colors of the Han River," the first-ever Da Nang Ao Dai Festival 2026 aims to honor and spread the value of the Ao Dai in contemporary life. - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

Besides the opening ceremony, the festival's diverse activities offer many experiences for locals and tourists, such as the "Da Nang Impression" ao dai parade, the "Hoi An - Colors of Silk" fashion show, an on-site tailoring and experience space, and the "Convergence of the Han River" art program held at Nguyen Van Troi Bridge...

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoi An, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang City, said that the festival aims to continue to honor, preserve and promote the value of Vietnamese ao dai in contemporary life.

The city also hopes to gradually develop the festival into an annual cultural event with its own unique identity, contributing to the development of distinctive tourism products and attracting domestic and international tourists. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to rekindle pride in national heritage, creating a space for connection and creativity among researchers, artisans, businesses, and the community.

Through this festival, the image of the Vietnamese ao dai is expected to become more widely present in daily life, from schools and offices to tourism and international exchanges, contributing to the spread of traditional cultural values in a modern context.

Each ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) bears its own unique mark, reflecting the cultural beauty of each region through its materials and patterns. All of this creates a colorful and distinctive picture of Vietnamese traditional attire.