Z Hanoi do Hue: podróż festiwali Ao Dai i misja promowania pięciopanelowego dziedzictwa Hue

Across Vietnam’s cultural landscape, the Ao dai (Áo dài ngũ thân) has transcended its role as traditional attire to become a national symbol of beauty and identity. In recent years, Ao dai festivals in Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City have grown in scale and creativity, attracting thousands of young people, designers, artists, and tourists. Together, these festivals form a vibrant tapestry that celebrates both the past and the present of Vietnamese fashion.

 

 Event “Vietnamese Elegance: A cultural convergence” (Việt phong hội tụ) in Huế city.

 Among the many variations showcased on these dazzling stages, the Hue five-panel Ao dai (áo dài ngũ thân) stands out for its historical depth and artistic elegance. Its resurgence is not only a cultural revival but also an innovative strategy for promoting tourism in Hue, a city seeking to strengthen its place as the cultural heart of Vietnam.

 Hanoi: Ao dai in the poetic charm of Hoan Kiem Lake

 In Hanoi, the “Bách Hoa Bộ Hành” Parade on the Hoan Kiem pedestrian street has become a beloved urban festival. Unlike typical runway shows, this event transforms the entire lakeside walkway into a flowing river of colors and movement. Here, everyone (artists, students, families, and even foreign visitors) can participate simply by wearing an Ao dai.

 As twilight settles over Hoan Kiem Lake, hundreds of young men and women stroll gracefully along the tree-lined streets. Their Ao dai, traditional, modern, embroidered, painted, or creatively stylized, flutter gently in the evening breeze. The serene reflections of lights on the lake, the scent of fresh flowers, and the soft melodies performed by street artists create an atmosphere that feels both festive and deeply nostalgic.

 

 

The “Bách Hoa Bộ Hành” around Hoan Kiem Lake.

 Particularly striking are the elegant silhouettes of the five-panel Ao dai among the crowd. Its high Mandarin-style collar, symmetrical structure, and hand-crafted buttons evoke a regal charm rarely seen in everyday fashion. In the middle of Hanoi’s historic quarter, this traditional Hue garment becomes a bridge connecting two cultural capitals.

 The “Bách Hoa Bộ Hành” event is more than a fashion show, it is a community ritual. Anyone wearing an Ao dai becomes a part of the living heritage, helping reaffirm Ao dai as an enduring symbol of Vietnamese grace.

 

 The “Bách Hoa Bộ Hành” around Hoan Kiem Lake.

 Hue: where Ao dai festivals embody history, spirituality, and artistic excellence

 If Hanoi brings youthful vibrance, Hue contributes depth, reverence, and historical authenticity. Here, Ao dai heritage is not simply celebrated, it is experienced, honored, and revived through meaningful rituals and large-scale cultural festivals.

 The Memorial Ceremony of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat: honoring the origin of Vietnam’s national dress

 One of the most poignant events in Hue is the memorial ceremony of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, held at Truong Thai Tomb and Trieu To Temple. As the historical figure who officially established the Ao dai as everyday attire in 1744, Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat is deeply respected as a cultural ancestor.

 During the ceremony, participants, including artisans, researchers, students, and local residents, dress in traditional five-panel Ao dai to pay homage. Their presence, clad in attire that echoes the styles of the 18th century, creates an atmosphere that feels solemn yet profoundly beautiful. The crisp collars, structured panels, restrained colors, and meticulously hand-sewn buttons reveal the aesthetic philosophy of the Nguyen Dynasty.

 This ceremony is not only a tribute to a historical figure but also a reaffirmation of cultural responsibility. It reminds the community that the five-panel Ao dai is more than an item of clothing, it is a bearer of values, memories, and identity.

  

Ao dai fashion show on The Memorial Ceremony of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat.

 Hue Community Ao dai Week: a cultural highlight of Festival Hue

 The annual Hue Community Ao dai Week has become one of the signature events of Festival Hue. Over several days, the city transforms into a grand stage celebrating Vietnamese dress culture through exhibitions, parades, workshops, and large-scale shows.

The festivities open with the spectacular Hue Ao dai Night at An Đinh Palace.

 Against the backdrop of French-colonial architecture and imperial motifs, models present collections that range from traditional designs to contemporary interpretations. Five-panel Ao dai, Nhật Bình gowns, northern ceremonial dress, and other regional forms appear side by side, weaving a narrative of Vietnam’s sartorial evolution.

 Throughout the week, the city buzzes with activities:

   - The “Ao dai Through the Streets” parade, where thousands of participants fill the boulevards in an ocean of colors.

   - Exhibitions showcasing traditional tailoring techniques, from pattern drafting to hand stitching.

   - Workshops where artisans teach visitors to create fabric buttons, fold collars, or understand symbolic motifs.

  - Photography corners at imperial sites, encouraging tourists to wear Ao dai while exploring heritage spaces.

 The festival concludes with the emotional “Ao dai and Music” night in front of Quoc Hoc Hue, where traditional melodies, contemporary arrangements, and the flowing Ao dai create a poetic fusion unique to this ancient capital.

 Reviving the five-panel Ao dai, the new heartbeat of Hue tourism

 The revival of the five-panel Ao dai plays a central role in Hue’s tourism strategy. The garment embodies the essence of Hue’s cultural identity, and promoting it offers multiple benefits.

- Reaffirming Hue as “Vietnam’s Capital of the Ao dai”.

- Creating unique cultural tourism products such as heritage photo tours, Ao dai experiences, and imperial-themed events.

- Encouraging sustainable craft livelihoods by supporting local tailors, artisans, and designers.

- Enhancing visitor engagement through immersive activities like donning traditional attire at the Imperial City or along the Perfume River.

For many travelers, wearing a five-panel Ao dai in Hue is not merely dressing up, it is stepping into history, feeling the rhythm of the ancient capital, and capturing moments that blend culture, elegance, and memory.

 Ho Chi Minh City: youthful energy and modern creativity

 In contrast to Hue’s quiet elegance, Ho Chi Minh City contributes a vibrant, dynamic, and cosmopolitan spirit to the nationwide Ao dai movement.

 The Ho Chi Minh City Ao dai Festival is one of the largest of its kind, drawing tens of thousands of participants each year. Staged across iconic locations such as Nguyen Hue Walking Street and the Municipal Theatre, the festival features energetic performances, large-scale parades, and innovative fashion shows.

Here, designers boldly experiment with:

- New fabrics and textures

- Contemporary patterns and vibrant color palettes

- Creative accessories and styling

- Fusion concepts that blend tradition with urban aesthetics

Yet, amidst the modern designs, traditional silhouettes, including the five-panel gown, still hold a place of honor. Their appearance on modern stages demonstrates their timeless appeal and cultural significance, even in Vietnam’s most fast-paced metropolis.

 Ao dai Festivals: where culture, community, and tourism converge

 Across Vietnam, Ao dai festivals are creating meaningful cultural and economic impacts:

- Cultural preservation: Reviving traditional tailoring, embroidery, and craft knowledge.

- Education: Helping young people understand the historical value of Vietnamese dress.

- Tourism: Offering memorable experiences and attracting international visitors.

- Creative economy: Generating opportunities in fashion, photography, design, and cultural services.

 For Hue in particular, the revival of the five-panel Ao dai is becoming a cornerstone of tourism promotion. The city leverages its imperial legacy to offer experiences that no other destination can replicate: wearing Ao dai inside ancient palaces, participating in memorial rituals, or joining enchanting Ao dai parades along the Perfume River.

 Conclusion: a living heritage carried by the people

 From the blooming streets of Hanoi to the heritage-rich festivals of Hue and the dynamic stages of Ho Chi Minh City, the journey of the Ao dai in modern Vietnam is both inspiring and powerful. Each festival, each performance, and each person who chooses to wear the Ao dai helps ensure that this cultural treasure continues to flourish.

 The five-panel Ao dai of Hue, once at risk of fading away, is now returning with remarkable vitality. No longer confined to museums or old photographs, it is alive, worn proudly by young people, celebrated in festivals, and embraced by travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences.

 Through the collective efforts of communities, artisans, cultural institutions, and the tourism industry, the Ao dai remains a living heritage, flowing gracefully from the past into the future./.

 

Photo: Dieu Quyen, Text: Quynh Lien