32 designers have introduced their ao dai collections before the Ao Dai Festival takes place in Hanoi from October 14 to 16.

"The previous Ao Dai Festival, which was held at the Temple of Literature, had 19 designers, but this year we’ll have work from 32 designers from all cities and provinces," said Pham Huy Hoan, Dan Tri's editor-in-chief and one of the festival's organisers.

Designer Do Trinh Hoai Nam said an ao dai was not just an outfit but it also tells a cultural story.

Nam will present two collections, one is created based on Hanoi ceramics where he uses familiar patterns cast in gold to make the outfits shine. The other is about national flags or world heritage sites.

Miss Vietnam 2010, designer Dang Thi Ngoc Han introduces a collection inspired by Hang Trong paintings and the paintings about Hanoi by small children. Designer Xuan Hao uses paintings of Bui Xuan Phai in the collection.

Designer Cao Minh Tien then uses sketches about Hanoi's popular destinations as the source of creativity and how Hanoi is viewed through pop art.

Dong Ho paintings, old village gates or the windows to flower sellers' bicycles are used by many other designers including Lan Huong, Duy Nguyen and Vu Viet Ha.

This year's festival will be held at Thang Long Citadel.

Pham Huy Hoan, Dan Tri's editor-in-chief and one of the festival's organisers

Dtinews