Starting September, the ao dai will be the official uniform on the first Monday of each month —the day of the flag salute ceremony, according to the department.

Staff at the Thua Thien Hue provincial Department of Culture and Sports wear ao dai at a flag salute ceremony
Wearing an ao dai to work is compulsory on Monday

Mr. Tran Huu An from the department said that after the seminar "Hue – Capital of Vietnam’s Ao Dai" in early July, the department asked its staff to wear ao dai as uniforms to preserve the traditional costumes of the nation.

After that, Mr. An and other staff of the department voluntarily registered. They chose purple ao dai with lotus patterns on the front for women and dark green five-panelled ao dai and white pants for men. The male staff are accompanied with a card printed with four Chinese words that means preserving the old habits.

The Thua Thien Hue provincial Department of Culture and Sports is the first and only agency that requires its staff to wear ao dai to work. The Hue Monuments Conservation Center and several other agencies have encouraged their staff to do the same.

Nguyen Xuan Hoa, a researcher of Hue culture, said male staff wearing ao dai to work is highly encouraged.

Researcher Nguyen Xuan Hoa in the five-paneled aristocratic gown (Photo: vnexpress)

The five-paneled aristocratic gown is inherited from the reign of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat and was made the national costume by King Minh Mang, the second emperor of Nguyen Dynasty, after his tour to the North. This outfit was used for both important events and everyday wear.

“The ao dai has represented Vietnam's cultural identity”, according to Mr. Hoa.

Men of the past in ao dai

Chairman of Thua Thien Hue People's Committee Phan Ngoc Tho in ao dai receives the Australian ambassador to Vietnam on July 10, 2020.

(Photo: thuathienhue.gov.vn)

Ambassador Pham Viet Anh presents the State President's letter to the Dutch King

(Photo: The world and Vietnam Newspaper)
Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau has been wearing ao dai at important diplomatic events over the last 10 years

As Hue is on its way to become the city of cultural heritage of Vietnam, male staff at the Monuments Conservation Center and museums should also wear ao dai to work at least once a month, said researcher Nguyen Xuan Hoa.