The festival’s main events are taking place from March 6 to 8 along Nguyen Hue Walking Street and other venues across the city.
This year’s festival features 17 key activities showcasing nearly 400 ao dai collections, with more than 600 models and performers participating alongside 37 ambassadors from different fields.
A highlight of the event is the participation of 36 fashion designers from across Vietnam, along with several international designers. Notably, a designer from Japan is joining the festival for the first time.
According to Le Truong Hien Hoa, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the festival aims to further promote Ho Chi Minh City as a cultural and tourism destination while honouring the cultural value of the ao dai.
Following the opening ceremony, several major activities are scheduled, including a large-scale folk dance performance and an ao dai parade on the morning of March 8.
The event is expected to attract around 50,000 participants across the city, with about 3,000 people gathering at Nguyen Hue Walking Street, creating a vibrant celebration of Vietnam’s traditional costume.
An exhibition space has also been set up along Nguyen Hue Walking Street and nearby venues, where visitors can try on ao dai, take photos and learn about the history and evolution of the traditional attire.