Vietnam’s national dress, the áo dài is one of the country’s most striking symbols of beauty. Over hundreds of years, the áo dài has evolved alongside Vietnam, going from regal to practical, humble to high fashion, and back again. The Vietnamese áo dài is appreciated by the young and old alike, and its elegant lines flatter both men and women. If you’re interested to learn more about the story of áo dài and tips for making your own, read on.

The story of áo dài

The story of the áo dài starts in 1744, when Vietnam was divided into two territories, the Inner Land (Đàng Trong) and Outer Land (Đàng Ngoài.) To distinguish his people, Lord Nguyễn Phúc Khoát of Inner Land asked his subjects to wear a front-buttoned...

Modern styles of áo dài

Boat neck, cropped length, short sleeves-modern designers are not afraid to explore creative routes when it comes to áo dài. Some of these new takes on the traditional dress have made it more practical, which means they can be worn in less formal settings. Knee-length styles are convenient for wearing on motorcycles and bicycles, and you’ll see a variety of more casual collars worn on summer days, including scoop neck and boat neck styles.

When to wear áo dài

Vietnamese women love wearing áo dài for photo shoots in beautiful settings. Golden Autumn days in Hanoi call for photo sessions around Hoàn Kiếm Lake. During Tết (Lunar New Year) you’ll see the dress in all its glory as women wear it to visit friends and family, and pay tribute at temples and shrines. A wedding is the perfect time to wear one’s best áo dài. In Vietnam, the bride and groom and the wedding entourage will wear elaborate áo dài at the traditional ceremony, then guests will show up for the reception in simpler but equally colourful designs.

Áo dài colours

When choosing an áo dài, each colour has meaning. In Imperial times, gold was a royal colour and reserved for kings and queens. Red áo dài are worn during Tết for luck and prosperity. Brides and grooms may also wear red on their wedding day, so it's a good idea to come in a different colour if you're a guest. White symbolizes purity and innocence, as seen in the white dresses of highschool students, and black is most often worn at funerals. Vietnamese women also choose áo dài colours based on their element (metal, wood, water, fire, or earth) taken from their year of birth.

Making your own áo dài

Anyone can wear áo dài as a way of showing respect. Fancy dinners, important meetings, and celebrations are all suitable occasions, just be sure to always wear your áo dài over pants or trousers. If you are looking for ready-to-wear áo dài, you will be spoilt for choice at shops in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the Hội An Ancient Town. Hội An’s tailors can also make you an entirely new dress in a matter of days. Feel free to choose your own style and colours to add a personal touch. To create a personalised áo dài, visit Vạn Phúc silk village, 20 minutes from Hanoi. Here you can shop for high-quality silk from the source, learn about silk-making, get your áo dài tailored and take gorgeous photos among flowing silk ribbons.

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