(VOVWORLD) -The ongoing 5th annual Ao Dai Festival in Ho Chi Minh City features artistic and community activities honoring the charm of Vietnam’s traditional long dress. It will be open from now until March 26th.
Themed “I love Vietnamese Ao Dai” the festival introduces 1,000 Ao Dai from 22 designers. Festival performers will include Miss Vietnam My Linh, actress Diem My 9x, Emeritus Artist Thanh Loc, and American singer Kyo York.
111 Ao Dai tailor shops will offer free services and discounts for customers. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of Ho Chi Minh City’s Tourism Department, says: “11 Ao Dai ambassadors will promote the image of the traditional costume. We hope the Festival will promote Ho Chi Minh City as a friendly, safe, and attractive city.”
The Festival consists of 15 interactive activities, including something called an Ao Dai charm contest and an Ao Dai talk show for students. Over 3,000 state employees, members of Ho Chi Minh City’s Women’s Union, and students will attend an Ao Dai show on the streets around the Ho Chi Minh City Statue.
Nguyen Thi Nhung, a member of district 4’s Women’s Union, says: “I’m proud to be part of the Ao Dai show, honoring our national costume and displaying our solidarity.”
The organizing board will award 200 scholarships and free Ao Dai fabric to poor students at secondary schools.