Ao Dai Festival to be Held in Hanoi on October 10, 2014

A grand Ao Dai Festival will be held in Hanoi on October 10, 2014. The event is a part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of Hanoi's liberation. As many as 250 samples of Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) designed by well-known designers will be showcased to honor traditional craft villages in Hanoi that have been developing for many years.

Along with a concert themed Ha Noi, Niem Tin Va Hy Vong (Ha Noi, Belief and Hope), the festival will take place at Cach Mang Thang Tam (the August Revolutionary) Square and at King Ly Thai To Monument in Van Mieu (Temple of Literature). The 45-minute Ao Dai performance will be broadcast live by Vietnam Television, followed by a 15-minute light festival and fireworks display.

A series of celebration activities have been held since July and will run until November in Hanoi. If you have time in Hanoi, don't miss this chance to learn more about Vietnamese history and culture.

About Vietnamese Ao Dai:

Ao Dai is a tight-fitting gown worn over pantaloons by Vietnamese girls. As the traditional dress of Vietnam, Ao Dai plays a great role in Vietnamese culture. It is Vietnam's national outfit; today it is usually worn by females for special occasions such as Tet (The Vietnamese New Year Holiday), and weddings. Besides special occasions, Vietnamese high school girls also wear Áo Dài to class every day. The most popular style of Ao Dai fits tightly around the wearer's upper torso, highlighting the feminine bust and curves. The dress must be individually fitted and tailored tailor-made. The best place to tailor-make an Ao Dai is the ancient town of Hoi An, where many tailor shops can be found.