Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival

The Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival is an annual cultural event organized by the Department of Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union to honor and promote the beauty of the Vietnamese ao dai (traditional long dress). The 12th iteration in 2026, themed “Golden Threads – Weaving Aspirations”, took place across various city landmarks including President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the Export Showroom at 92–96 Nguyen Hue (Sai Gon Ward), stations along Metro Line No. 1, and other historical/cultural sites, tourist attractions, hotels, and iconic landmarks. Activities typically include an opening ceremony, ao dai art program, commemoration of Hai Ba Trung Uprising and International Women’s Day, a mass folk dance performance in ao dai, an ao dai parade, the Grand Final of the Ho Chi Minh City Charming Ao Dai Contest, a children’s ao dai design contest, an online beautiful ao dai photo contest, an ao dai seminar, and themed tours. A 'peak week' encourages residents to wear ao dai, with tailors and businesses offering promotions and free or discounted admission for participants wearing the traditional dress.