For a long time, Ao Dai is a cultural symbol associated with the image of Vietnamese women.

Through many development periods, the ao dai has constantly changed but still ensures the
tradition, contributing to the elegant and gentle beauty of Vietnamese women.
We have 4 characteristic of Ao Dai:
 Human culture- Human civilization:
- Ao Dai - the traditional costume has "creeped" into the daily life of Vietnamese
women naturally and easily. Through many studies, the Ao Dai is confirmed to be
a pride of the Vietnamese people, because not all ethnic groups have costumes that
are both discreet, graceful and sexy.
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 Symbol- Creation:
- Ao Dai is a typical cultural product imbued with national identity, a symbol of
Vietnamese women.
Because, over the past hundred years, Ao Dai has gone from life to cinema, music,
painting… even becoming a symbol, a part of Vietnamese soul in their own homeland
or around the world. .

If Korea has Hanbok, Japan has Kimono, Scotland has Kilt skirt... then Vietnam is
known for its graceful ao dai. The word "Ao Dai" was originally included in the
Oxford dictionary. and is explained as a type of costume of Vietnamese women with
the design of two ankle-length front and back skirts covering the outside of the
trousers.

- Traditional Ao Dai is considered a symbol containing the quintessence of

Vietnamese culture.
Ao dai is used in many events, from formal ceremonies in the family, office, society,
diplomacy... to art performances, daily application, especially on festivals and ancient
New Year. transmission; performing in festivals, fashion weeks, beauty contests,
domestic and foreign beauties...

Unlike the traditional costumes of many countries in the world, wearing Ao Dai,
Vietnamese women do not need to spend much time, and are simple, neat, graceful
and elegant.
 Transmision:
- This national costume appeared thousands of years ago.
+ The oldest known image of the Ao Dai is Giao Linh (circa 1744). At this stage,
the country was ruled by Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat in the South, and in the North
by Lord Trinh. At that time, Ao Dai has a large size, the body is sewn with 4
pieces of fabric, reaches the heel, splits 2 sides, the sleeves are long, and the wrists
are wide. The shirt is worn with a black skirt inside and a cloth belt outside.
+ In the 17th century, to be more convenient in farming and trading, the Giao Giao
shirt was compactly designed into a four-body shirt, in which the front flap was
 split into 2 flaps, the wearer could tie 2 pieces. this flap together at the front of the
abdomen.
+ In the 19th century, the five-body Ao Dai was born to create a distinction
between the luxurious aristocracy and the peasant class. Based on the four-body
shirt, the front flap of the five-body Ao Dai is added with a flap as a discreet
lining, which is the 5th lap.
+ In the 1960s, Raglan Ao Dai (also known as Jack Lang Ao Dai) was created by
Dung tailor in Dakao, Saigon. The biggest difference of the Raglan Ao Dai is that
it hugs the body more tightly, the way the arms are connected from the diagonal
neck down to a 45-degree angle to help the wearer feel more comfortable and
flexible. The two flaps are connected by a row of buttons on the side. This is the
style of Ao Dai that contributes to shaping the style of Vietnamese Ao Dai in the
future.

- Ao Dai is a "emissary" in promoting Vietnamese tourism. Tourists coming to

Vietnam, especially female tourists, often choose Ao Dai as a unique and special
souvenir.

 Universal – Unique
- Ao Dai is a part of culture that express the mandarin and encapsulates the
Vietnamese national spirit, encapsulates the Vietnamese spirit. Ao Dai is used by
all ages, it has become the national costume of Vietnam, used in special occasions
or national ceremonies. Vietnamese women always choose Ao Dai to appear on
special occasions because it contributes to enhancing the beauty of women and at
the same time expressing national pride.
- Ao Dai often has seams that hug the body to reveal slender lines, honoring the
body in detail to the truth, somewhat seductive, eye-catching but extremely
discreet behind the glossy silk fabric. Unlike the national costumes in other
countries, the sleeves of the Vietnamese Ao Dai will usually have no shoulders,
have a length from the collar to the wrist and are also sewn to hug the body.

- The pants of the Ao Dai are usually sewn in the same color as the shirt, with white
pants or the main light color. Ao Dai can be sewn from many different fabrics, but
most of the fabrics used to make Ao Dai are thin, soft, light and airy.