“Vietnam Ao dai week” is an campaign held by Vietnam Central Women’s Union to praise the beauty of Vietnamese women in the traditional dress on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8).

The female civil servants in Hanoi response to the campaign of “Vietnam Ao dai week”. Photo: Ngoc Tu

In response to the program, female officials, civil servants and businesswomen from Women's unions at all levels dress in Ao dai at work throughout the week. Accordingly, Vietnamese are encouraged to wear their Ao dai for one week. The “Vietnam Ao dai week” (ends in March 8) is a part of the national campaign titled “Ao dai - Vietnamese Cultural Heritage” held across the country.

On the special weeks, a variety of cultural activities are also held in response to the initiative.

The Vietnam Women Museum, besides requesting staff and employees to wear Ao dai, held an exhibition under the theme “Memories and Heritage” with more than 1,000 set of Ao dai donated by people around the country, of which 20 sets were already presented at the show “Ao Dai - Vietnamese cultural heritage” at the Temple of Literature in 2020.

In addition, the Vietnam Women's Museum participated in the media campaign on the International Women's Day organized by the Vietnam Central Women’s Union, with the message: “female servants from museums believe in change and wish to contribute to a more equal world.”

Many woman from all over the country has joined the event by holding photo contest of “beautiful women in Ao dai” on Facebook or organizing fashion shows of Ao dai at their working places.

According to the representative from Central Women’s Union, Ao dai is not only a great work of art, a national beauty but also a symbol of the identity and spirit of Vietnam.  

The event jointly launched by the Vietnam Central Women’s Union and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism aims to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the union’s establishment and 111th anniversary of International Women’s Day.