The designs of Ao dai were inspired by Vietnamese 21 UNESCO-recognized Cultural Heritages  such as: Giong Festival at Phu Dong and Soc Temples, Trang An scenic landscape complex, Hung Temple Festival, Southern Don Ca Tai Tu, Dong Van Karst Plateau, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi, Ca Tru, Vietnamese Belief in Mother Goddesses, and Xoan singing. 

 The models in Ao dai paraded in a stage by the Thien Quang Well in the Temple of Literature. 

On the soundtrack of Vietnamese traditional songs, 60 professional models, 100 students of the Vietnam Women’s Academy, 50 children, and a number of expats living in Hanoi who are wives of ambassadors, television editors and Vietnamese meritorious artists showcased the best designs of Ao dai.

The program aims at honoring Ao dai as Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage, telling the history of Ao dai through the creations of designers who have been devoted to the Ao dai for many years.

Vietnamese designer Minh Hanh said that as the Temple of Literature was the first university in Vietnam,  the Ao dai catwalk in this place would best highlight the blend of history and heritage value of the traditional dress, with the aim of educating the young generations on a national heritage. 

“With the purpose and desire of portraying the Ao dai as Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage and the intangible cultural heritage of the world, the Temple of Literature is my No.1 choice,” she added.

“We are writing the pages of the history of the Vietnamese silk road through the Ao dai. The contributions of the designers for the Ao dai show are the identification and positioning of the Ao dai by the scientific basis, not only by our emotion and passionate love,” Designer Minh Hanh said.