On June 6, at An Dinh Palace, the “Hue Ao dai” art program 2025 was officially kicked off, beginning Hue Community Ao dai Week 2025 – a special cultural event within the National Tourism Year and Hue Festival 2025. Attendees included Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee; Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Yamashita Makoto, Governor of Nara Prefecture, Japan, and Head of the Secretariat of the East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress; Ms. Dong Biyu, Chinese Consul General in Da Nang; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Vice Permanent Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee; and delegations representing local governments attending the 14th East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress.
Under the theme of honoring the traditional and contemporary beauty of Vietnamese Ao dai, its historical flow, and enduring beauty, the opening program delivered an emotional art night, elegantly combining Ao dai performances with music, dance, and modern light installations. An Dinh Palace Stage was transformed into a vibrant performance space, where each Ao dai was not just clothing but also a cultural and artistic message conveyed through the movements of models and artists.
The collections presented on the opening night are associated with Hue cultural imprints such as materials, patterns and hand-embroidery techniques. Many designs were inspired by imperial architecture, royal motifs, and the poetic landscapes of Hue. Additionally, contemporary innovations showcased the creative continuity between tradition and modernity of young designers.
According to the Organizing Committee, “Hue Community Ao dai Week not only honors Ao dai as an aesthetic symbol but also provides an opportunity for the community to reflect, preserve, and promote the value of a living cultural heritage”.
This event attracted a large number of local people, artists, designers, domestic and international tourists, creating a start to a series of activities until June 15. In the coming days, Ao dai will continue to spread throughout Hue’s streets through parades, seminars, performances, educational activities, and community connections as indicated in the spirit of Hue Summer Festival 2025 – freshness, intimation, and rich identity.
Mr. Yamashita Makoto, Governor of Nara Prefecture, Japan, and Head of the Secretariat of the East Asia Local and Regional Government Congress attends the program
On the side line of the art program, an exhibition space for traditional Ao dai tailoring will be held for 4 days (from June 6 to June 9). This is an opportunity for visitors to witness steps of making a truly “Hue handcrafted” Ao dai from selecting fabric, measuring and sewing, shaping, to embroidering patterns. Skilled artisans will “tell stories” with their needles and threads, taking viewers back to the golden age of Ao dai in the ancient imperial court.
Hue Community Ao dai Week 2025 is not only a fashion show but a series of rich activities connecting community. On the morning of June 7, hundreds of people wearing Ao dai will participate in the “Ao dai qua pho” cycling program along the city’s most beautiful routes, spreading messages about environment and culture. In the afternoon of the same day, the “Ao dai ve nguon” journey will take place at Truong Thai Tomb and Minh Mang Tomb, honoring the Emperors who helped shape Vietnamese imperial Ao dai style. In the evening, An Dinh Palace stage will continue to light up with the “Sac mau van hoa” art program.
On June 8, the “Viet Phong hoi tu” parade gathering thousands of people in traditional Ao dai, will move through central streets – expected to be one of the activities attracting a large number of tourists and locals. This will be followed by the “Ao dai – Sac tham Co do” program introducing new collections by Hue designers and artisans at 23-25 Le Loi Street.
Performances at the program
The following days will feature vibrant activities including “Ao dai xuong pho” flashmob (June 9), “Ao dai trong truong hoc” seminar (June 10), “Vu dieu Ao dai” program (June 12), an art exhibition inspired by Diem Phung Thi’s art (June 13), and a rural market fair and Ao dai performance with Phuoc Tich pottery products (June 14). Activities specifically for children will also be organized, such as the “Ao dai va tuoi tho” painting exhibition and the “Ao dai – niem vui cua em” festival.
On June 15, the incense offering ceremony commemorating Vo Vuong Nguyen Phuc Khoat and Emperor Minh Mang in the early morning will wrap up the “ve nguon” journey, before the closing ceremony takes place at 8:00 PM on the Huong River stage.
With the spirit of “Ao dai – ket noi truyen thong va hien dai, Hue va the gioi” (Aodai – connecting tradition and modernity, Hue and the world), Hue Community Ao dai week 2025 is not just a series of cultural events but also an invitation to the community to join hands in preserving and spreading a symbol of national culture.
Source: hue.gov.vn – June 7, 2025
