The ao dai (áo dài) is a Vietnamese national costume primarily for women. In its current form, it is a tight-fitting silk dress worn over pantaloons. Áo is derived from a Middle Chinese word meaning “padded coat” (襖). In modern Vietnamese, áo refers to an item of clothing that covers from the neck down. Dài means “long.”

In Vietnamese, the word áo dài was applied to various garments historically, including the áo ngũ thân, a 19th century aristocratic gown influenced by Manchu Chinese fashions. Inspired by Paris fashions, Hanoi artist Nguyen Cat Tuong redesigned the áo ngũ thân as a dress in 1930. In the 1950s, Saigon designers tightened the fit to produce the version worn by Vietnamese women today. The dress was extremely popular in South Vietnam in the 1960s and early 1970s. The communists, who have ruled Vietnam since 1975, disapproved of the dress and favored frugal, androgynous styles. In the 1990s, the ao dai regained popularity.The equivalent garment for men, called an áo gam (”brocade robe“), is also worn on occasion, such as during Tet, at weddings or death anniversaries. Today however, the áo gam is most frequently worn by old men.

Academic commentary on the ao dai emphasizes the way the dress ties feminine beauty to Vietnamese nationalism, especially in the form of “Miss Ao Dai” pageants, popular both among overseas Vietnamese and in Vietnam itself. “Ao dai” is one of the few Vietnamese words that appear in English-language dictionaries.

More info: visit Wikipedia, keyword “ao dai”

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There is a saying about a dress “it hides everything and it also shows everything”. It must be Ao Dai, Vietnam national dress. Ao Dai are made of two pieces, a trouser and a top. The top is combined of long sleeves and two floating splits. Ao Dai are custom-made by your shape. Therefore, it shows all a girl’s body shape. Time by time, Ao Dai are designed with many styles depending on your body’s structure. For example, with almost Vietnamese, we have small shoulders so that high collar is taken in use.

However, for Western girl, designs will take the advantage of low collar or no collar to make the shape balance between the top and the whole dress. Moreover, the wide shoulders are hidden in some ways so that, there are many styles and colors for you to choose a suitable Ao Dai with your body shape and your interest. Some of them will be performed here for you to choose and awake your interest in Vietnam fashion!

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Performers:

Ms. Ha Do,

Ms. Duyen Nguyen,

Ms. Trang Nguyen,

Ms. Van Mai,

Ms. Loan Duong,

Ms. Hue Vo,

Mr. Nguyen Nguyen

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