More than just a piece of clothing, ao dai is a traditional Vietnamese dress that embodies the rich culture, history, and artistry of Vietnam. Recognized for its elegant silhouette and versatility, ao dai has become a national symbol that reflects the spirit of Vietnamese. In this article, let’s explore this Vietnamese dress with Lua Viet Tours!
Ao dai – A renowned traditional Vietnamese dress.
Ao Dai – The Iconic Vietnamese Dress
Ao dai is perhaps the most iconic traditional Vietnamese dress. This elegant dress, known for its flowing lines and delicate beauty, has captivated the hearts of both locals and foreigners. Ao dai embodies the grace and femininity of Vietnamese women, making it a timeless and cherished piece of cultural heritage.
More than just clothing, ao dai is a cultural icon that reflects the country’s rich history and traditions. It has been worn by Vietnamese women for centuries, evolving through different periods and styles.
Vietnamese women wearing the iconic ao dai and non la. (Image source: Internet)
The history of ao dai
Currently, there is no consensus on the history of the ao dai, however, many sources suggest that it originated in 1744 during the time when Vietnam was divided into Dang Trong (Inner Land) and Dang Ngoai (Outer Land).
At that time, King Nguyen Phuc Khoat, the ruler of Dang Trong, required his people to wear ao ngu than (a front-buttoned gown with pants) to easily distinguish them. This is considered the predecessor of ao dai. Ao ngu than quickly became a symbol to differentiate social status, with the royal and elite often wearing garments made of high-quality materials and with more complex designs.
Ao ngu than is considered the predecessor of the ao dai. (Image source: Internet)
Later, in the 1930s, the traditional ao dai was redesigned by artist Nguyen Cat Tuong (French name: Lemur) into a simplified version with two flats and a more form-fitting style. This more modern design of ao dai faced some criticism. However, over time, it gradually gained widespread acceptance after the collection of ao dai that Lemur designed for Empress Nam Phuong (wife of Emperor Bao Dai).
From the 1950s onwards, the design of ao dai was updated to suit the times and for more occasions, from festivals to everyday wear. The beautiful and sophisticated design of this traditional Vietnamese dress has increasingly penetrated the hearts and culture of the country. Although not officially recognized as the national costume, ao dai is considered a dress that carries the soul of the Vietnamese people.
The ao dai designed by artist Nguyen Cat Tuong. (Image source: Internet)
The structure of ao dai
- Collar: The classic collar is approximately 4-5 cm high, but today it has been diversified with various styles such as heart-shaped, round, and U-shaped collars.
- Body: The body of ao dai is measured from the collar to the waist. From the waist, ao dai is split into two flats (front and back), with the slits located on both sides of the hips. Traditionally, the front flat was the same length as the back flat, but today there are many styles where the front flat is shorter.
- Buttons: Buttons typically slant from the collar to the shoulder and then down to the hip.
- Sleeves: The sleeves are measured from the shoulder and are fitted to the arm. There are both short and long sleeve styles.
- Pants: The pants are ankle-length and wide-legged. Traditionally, ao dai was made of stiff fabrics, but now it is often made with soft, flowing fabrics. The most common color is white. However, current fashion trends have seen ao dai being made in coordinated sets with the pants and ao dai in the same color.
The structure of Ao dai.
Occasions people wear ao dai
Ao dai is worn in many events, from daily activities to important meetings. However, you will be more likely to see ao dai on the following occasions.
Lunar New Year
Tet, or Lunar New Year, is the most significant and largest holiday of the year in Vietnam. For this reason, Vietnamese people often wear traditional ao dai during Tet. Both women and men often wear ao dai on Tet. Wearing ao dai is not only a way to honor the traditional values of the country, but also because they are extremely beautiful.
Ao dai is worn during Lunar New Year. (Image source: Internet)
Weddings
Weddings are considered a significant event in Vietnam, therefore, ao dai is often worn on this occasion. Besides the bride and groom, parents and close relatives also wear ao dai. The color often chosen is deep red, symbolizing happiness and prosperity.
Ao dai appears at weddings. (Image source: Internet)
Government and cultural events
In cultural or government events, Vietnamese leaders often wear this traditional Vietnamese dress, considered the national costume, as a sign of respect for their counterparts and to promote Vietnam’s image to the world.
>>> You can also see ao dai performance in the Hoi An Memories Show
In high school
Ao dai was once a uniform for female high school students in Vietnam. To facilitate daily activities, schools now only require students to wear it one day a week. The image of graceful female students in ao dai cycling through the streets has become an endless source of inspiration for artists and has been featured in numerous works of art.
Vietnamese students looks graceful in ao dai. (Image source: Internet)
Where to buy ao dai in Vietnam?
- In Ho Chi Minh City: You can find ao dai at the famous Ben Thanh Market while exploring the market. There are many stalls selling ready-to-wear ao dai at affordable prices here.
- In Hanoi: Hang Gai Street (Cho Hom Market) is home to many shops selling fabrics and ao dai with a variety of designs, colors and materials for you to choose from.
- In Hoi An: In the Hoi An ancient town, you can see various ao dai shops run by skilled artisans. Some famous shops are Bebe Tailors, A Dong Silk, B’lan Silk, Yaly Couture & Custom Tailor.
Other Traditional Vietnamese Dresses
In addition to the iconic ao dai, there are a variety of vietnamese dresses in different regions, each has its own unique style and cultural significance. Let Lua Viet Tours introduce to you some of them!
Ao ba ba
The ao ba ba is a traditional dress of people in southern Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong Delta. It is a collarless blouse with a single-piece back and a front consisting of two panels joined by a vertical row of buttons. The shirt is fitted at the waist and has a modest slit on each side.
When one thinks of ao ba ba, images of rural women in the Mekong Delta come to mind, embodying simplicity, authenticity, and warmth. Visitors to the Mekong Delta often see locals wearing ao ba ba while working on boats or engaged in other water-related activities. Ao ba ba is also symbolic of the Vietnamese woman’s resilience and strength during wartime.
Ao ba ba – traditional dress of Southern Vietnamese people. (Image source: Internet)
Ethnic group traditional dresses
H’mong ethnic people traditional dress
The traditional H’mong dress is usually made from self-woven fabric, reflecting the distinct character of the ethnic group in its design and decoration. Using silk threads in four primary colors: blue, red, white, and yellow, their attire is adorned with various patterns and motifs, creating a rich and warm aesthetic.
H’mong women typically wear a four-panel blouse with an open neckline and no buttons, and the hem is often left unstitched or tucked into the skirt. The skirt is an indispensable part of the H’mong women’s attire, usually a full, pleated skirt that flares out into a circle, creating a charming look.
H’mong women in traditional costumes. (Image source: Internet)
Muong ethnic people traditional dress
Muong women wear a long flowing black dress with a white or brown long-sleeve blouse with a row of buttons. They drape a gorgeous white or indigo head scarf over their heads to lend an elegant touch to their attire. The beautifully embroidered dress hem and belt are the highlights of the Muong costume.
Traditional costumes of Muong women. (Image source: Internet)
Thai ethnic people traditional dress
Thai ethnic people wear a costume consisting of three fundamental pieces: a simple blouse, a long skirt, and a Pieu scarf. Thai ethnic garments are beautiful because of their rich patterns and textures, which are inspired by natural figures like flowers, the sun, dragons, and clouds.
Thai women’s blouses are designed to highlight their natural shapes, and their outfits are completed with belts, caps, leggings, bangles, and necklaces. During traditional festivals and major events, Thai ladies dress up in complete accessories, making them seem extraordinarily lovely and stunning.
Traditional costumes of Thai ethnic women. (Image source: Internet
Conclusion
Ao dai stands as the most symbolic traditional Vietnamese dress with its elegant design. It is not just clothing but also carries the soul and the pride of Vietnamese. If you have an opportunity to visit Vietnam, don’t forget to try on an ao dai and admire its cultural beauty. Besides, there are Ao ba ba and other traditional costumes, which will also offer insights into this S-shaped country.
>>> Check out our tour to discover Vietnam’s attractions and culture with local experts!
