As an annual event, the festival is part of the capital’s efforts to promote Hanoi as a tourism destination while honoring and preserving the intangible cultural heritage of the Vietnamese Ao Dai.

Through a vibrant program, the festival aims to foster a love for the national dress, especially among younger generations, while affirming Hanoi as a “safe, friendly, high-quality, and attractive” destination.

“Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2025 serves a dual mission: celebrating the cultural value of the Ao Dai and increasing community awareness about preserving national identity, especially among the youth, while also boosting tourism and connecting heritage conservation with economic development,” said Nguyen Tran Quang, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism.

The grand opening night, themed “Hanoi Ao Dai - Radiance of heritage,” will take place on November 7 at the main stage of the Hanoi Museum. The show will feature celebrated artisans, designers, models, and performers, delivering sophisticated performances that reflect the harmony of tradition and modernity, linking Hanoi with regions across the country through a shared cultural heritage.

At the Hanoi Museum, over 80 beautifully arranged booths will gather top Ao Dai designers, brands, traditional weaving and embroidery villages, silk artisans, and craftspeople from Hanoi and other provinces.

Visitors can explore the “Hanoi - Ao Dai Heritage” photo exhibition, offering an artistic and cultural journey through the evolution of the Ao Dai. They can also rent pre-designed Ao Dai in various styles for personal photoshoots.

Beyond visual admiration, the festival invites visitors to "live within the heritage" through hands-on creative workshops running throughout the three days. Activities include embroidery of folk patterns, painting Ao Dai motifs, making accessories and jewelry such as rattan bags, wooden clogs, bracelets, and bamboo dragonflies.

At the same time, a series of traditional performances will showcase Vietnam’s intangible cultural arts, such as ca tru, cheo, quan ho, and xam, further enhancing the cultural depth of the event.

The festival will also feature several special highlights, including the “I love Hanoi” children's Ao Dai show, the final round of the Ao Dai design competition “Ao Dai - Connecting heritage,” and a large-scale parade around Hoan Kiem Lake on the afternoon of November 8.

This parade will reenact the traditional procession honoring the founder of Trach Xa tailoring village and include vibrant public activities such as the “Hundred Flowers Walk” and modern Ao Dai showcases by women from Hoan Kiem Ward. Over 1,000 participants from the Hanoi Heritage Ao Dai Club will don traditional and court attire, creating a colorful spectacle at the heart of the capital.

Another unique feature is the “Touching Hanoi Autumn” double-decker bus tour, where tourists can wear Ao Dai while passing famous landmarks and capture the golden moments of Hanoi in the fall.

The festival will close with the mass performance “Capital women - Integration and development,” celebrating Hanoi’s dynamic spirit through the lens of traditional fashion.

The Dinh