Some of the best ao dai designs have been introduced at the Ao Dai Festival on Friday night in Hanoi.
The opening ceremony was attended by officials including NA chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, chairwoman of the Vietnam Women's Union, Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Hanoi People’s Committee chairman Nguyen Duc Chung and his deputy Ngo Van Quy.
The show started with a collection featuring old-style ao dai by designer La Hang. The long dresses in her collection all have many layers.
Designer Quang Huy took the idea of the old houses and daily life in Hanoi into his collection which was introduced in the melodies of a famous song about Hanoi.
Designer Quang Huy (right) besides actress Lan Huong and actor Tien Hoi showing his collection
Ngoc Han impressed the audience with bright colours and patterns inspired by traditional Hang Trong paintings. Ngoc Han said that through her collection she also wanted to introduce the once popular Hang Trong folk paintings of the capital.
Besides Hang Trong paintings, Dong Ho paintings, old village gates or flower sellers' bicycles were used by many other designers including Lan Huong, Duy Nguyen and Vu Viet Ha.
32 designers who have special love for the Vietnamese traditional long dress including Chula, Duc Hai, Nhi Hoang, Thanh Thuy and Cao Minh Tien all impressed the audience with their carefully-made collections.
According to designer Do Trinh Hoai Nam, an ao dai was not just an outfit but it also tells a cultural story. And this time he wants to tell the stories of Hanoi ceramics and the national flags in his two collections.
The Ao Dai Festival is being held at the Thang Long Citadel from October 14 to 16.
Some photos of the opening ceremony of the Hanoi Ao Dai Festival:
The main stage at the Thang Long Citadel before the festival
Designers and artists participating in the Ao Dai Festival on October 14 evening
A lot of fresh flowers and conical hats used as decorations for the festival
Designer Ngoc Han’s collection
Paintings about Hanoi's old buildings on Ao dais
Designer Ha Duy and a disabled model
Italian ambassador to Vietnam (centre) performed at the event
Haiti ambassador's wife