Hanoi Set To Embrace Áo Dài Revival To Enrich Vietnam’s Tourism Experience: Everything You Need To Know!

Published on December 10, 2025

The classical Vietnamese long dress, the áo dài, is being recast as a cultural-tourism asset for both international and local travelers in a vibrant celebration that incorporates history, fashion and tourism at the same time. The renewed attention indicates a new trend in Hanoi, Vietnam which is (and beyond) promoting the áo dài not merely as garments but as a lively symbol of Vietnamese heritage, ideal for deep travel experiences.

The recent Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2025, held at the Hanoi Department of Tourism and hosted at the Hanoi Museum and other historic venues, showcased how the áo dài is evolving into a tourism ambassador for the city and indeed the country.

Festival Highlights: A tapestry of heritage, fashion and visitor engagement

• Over 80 booths brought together designers, craft-village artisans, silk-weaving communities and tailoring workshops, giving visitors a rich insight into the full lifecycle of an áo dài, from raw silk to finished garment.
• The event opened with a show titled Hanoi Áo Dài-Shining Heritage Elegance, in which the evolution of the áo dài, from traditional village craft to modern interpretations, was presented through performance and display.
• A design competition named Áo Dài-Connecting Heritage allowed young talents to reinterpret traditional motifs for today’s audiences; the winning collection was lauded for bridging historical aesthetics with contemporary style.
• From children’s catwalks to mass performances by hundreds of women, public events celebrated the áo dài, emphasising its role in fostering cultural pride and intergenerational connection.

Beyond the runway and exhibition halls, the festival introduced immersive experiences: visitors were invited to rent áo dài for photo-sessions around iconic sites like the Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the old quarters, and a “Touching Autumn in Hanoi” bus tour allowed them to explore the city in traditional garb, a vivid blend of sightseeing and cultural immersion.

From fashion to identity: Why the áo dài resonates with travellers

Once seen primarily as formal wear for special occasions, the áo dài has in recent decades taken on a broader role: symbol of national identity, tradition, and aesthetic grace.

For travellers, wearing an áo dài while exploring city alleys, ancient temples or colonial-era architecture is more than a costume, it’s a doorway into the collective memory of the place, a respectful nod to Vietnamese heritage, and a deeply photogenic way to engage with the environment. Many visitors, domestic and international alike, now seek this cultural-clothing experience as part of their Vietnam itinerary.

In the words of tourism officials, the goal is not just to display the áo dài, but to make it accessible: to let people live in the heritage, to weave traditional craftsmanship into the tourist journey, and build a sustainable tourism product rooted in identity and community.

Beyond Hanoi: Other destinations embrace áo dài tourism

The cultural-tourism movement with the áo dài is not limited to the capital. In the southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, authorities and cultural institutions are ramping up efforts to integrate traditional dress into tourism offerings.

The city’s recent festival reportedly attracted millions of visitors, both foreign and domestic, underscoring the broad appeal of áo dài-centred travel experiences.

Furthermore, in older towns such as the beautiful historical centre of Hội An, tailors and craft-shops welcome travellers seeking made-to-order áo dài, turning what was once a souvenir into a bespoke keepsake that carries stories of local artisanal tradition.

What this means for travellers: A new way to experience Vietnam

For tourists, the rise of áo dài tourism offers a fresh, immersive way to connect with Vietnam’s cultural soul. Whether by joining a festival parade in Hanoi, having a custom áo dài made in Hội An, or riding around Ho Chi Minh City in traditional dress, visitors are no longer just observers, they become part of the living cultural landscape.

The renewal of traditional garments offers more than aesthetic pleasure: it helps sustain craft villages, supports local artisans, and fosters appreciation for intangible heritage, weaving fashion, memory, and tourism into a tapestry that benefits communities and travellers alike.

For those planning a visit soon: consider renting or buying an áo dài. Walk the ancient streets, explore heritage sites, and let the colours and folds of fabric open up a deeper encounter with Vietnam’s past and present.

Final Thoughts

As the sun sets over the red-rooftoped alleyways of Hanoi and the colonial facades of Ho Chi Minh City begin to glow under city lights, travellers donning áo dài are not just dressed up. They carry with them centuries of cultural expression, in silk threads, tailoring traditions, and timeless elegance.

The rejuvenation of the áo dài as a symbol of tourism is not just a revival of fashion but a telling of something deeper: a reclaiming of identity, a bridging of old with new, and an invitation to the world. For those who want to see Vietnam in a different way, an áo dài may be the most poetic way to do it.