With its long and extensive history, that dates back to as early as the 18th century, Ao Dai (a traditional Vietnamese long dress) is not only a unique symbol of the feminine beauty, but is also a deeply ingrained part of our culture and mind. Despite overcoming some difficult times in the country’s history, Ao Dai has carried its national identity and spirit, and has never lost its unique vitality, since its creation. Almost unanimously, it is considered to be an outstanding work of art – a distinctive, elegant beauty of the Vietnamese.
This famous traditional dress has changed its appearance several times over the centuries, but its beautiful allure and appeal will never be out of date. As you can probably see, it is not just a costume – it is the essence and the glory of the Vietnamese culture. It’s what the Vietnamese people identify most with. In summary, it is that ideal combination of beauty, modesty, and grace.
Normally, the Vietnamese Ao Dai is made from the finest silk or other special types of soft fabrics, which not only attract the attention of others, but also ensure the comfort of its owners. The elegant and soft features of Ao Dai can also be interpreted as the indirect symbols of Vietnam as a peace-loving country, with a rich traditional culture.
A traditional Ao Dai usually has long sleeves, fits tight around a mandarin neckline and the breast area, and is notably split on the sides from the waist to the ankle. It is typically worn with loose pants under a high-necked, long-sleeved, fitted tunic with slits along each side.
As people commonly say: “It covers everything, but hides nothing.” In other words, this type of dress covers the entire body, but it can still be considered provocative, especially when it’s made of thin and sheer fabric. Some modern versions now include shorter panels and open necklines in a round, V, or square shape. Ao Dai also comes in different colors, materials, patterns, and designs.
In the recent times, once the world fashion took off and women started showing off their curves, the Ao Dai ’s style needed to be refreshed and updated, to keep up with the modernity. As the result, Ao Dai is being redesigned constantly to catch up with the latest trends and popular demands. A lot of designers have been recreating and breathing in new styles and forms into the costume, nevertheless Ao Dai still retains its distinctive Vietnamese identity.
Two laps of the Ao Dai’s costume extend from the neck down to the ankles and wrap around the feet, with cuffs that touch the ground. The cuts have become bolder and styles are now varied, some are even embellished with numerous embroidery and detailed patterns.
All kinds of material – from silk, lace to sheer, are used to create Ao Dai nowadays, meanwhile some ladies prefer to wear khakis or jeans instead of the traditional loose trousers. From the north to the south, designers make every effort to retain the femininity and aesthetics while still taking into the consideration its practical use and the convenience for its wearers.
What’s also important to note here – the color of Ao Dai traditionally expresses Vietnamese women’s age and status. Most younger ladies would rather wear a white Ao Dai for its purity and its youthful spirit, however the married women usually prefer the rich, stronger colorful shades. There are some certain colors such as blue, brown, or purple, that are mostly worn for the religious worshipping ceremonies.
On another hand, this costume with more intricate and colorful patterns and designs is chosen for some special occasions such as weddings, traditional Tet, and other national festivals. Nowadays, Ao Dai is worn more commonly in the daily life – for example: teachers and students wear Ao Dai to school; flight attendants, office workers, hotel and restaurant receptionists wear it on their jobs, and so on. In addition, Ao Dai is also highly regarded as the symbol of proper behavior, and women often wear it on their visits to temples and churches.
To sum it all up, fashion is not only about wearing something beautiful, but is also about revealing your unique, personal style and preferences. It is not surprising then, that the long-lasting impression on any foreigner visiting Vietnam is the elegant beauty of the Vietnamese women in their Ao Dai. Hence, it is easy to conclude here, that the costume makes a great contribution to the development of our tourism, as it greets and attracts millions of international travelers visiting Vietnam.
Some recommended tours
