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The Long Dress - A journey of identity discovery

Since the production started last July, filmmakers of The Long Dress have been busy capturing beautiful images of Ao Dai across Vietnam and the globe. The film brings together a Vietnamese and international film crew, with the common goal of honoring the beauty and value of the Vietnamese Ao Dai (Ao Dai), while demonstrating the power of connection through the costumes and the stories behind them.

The film revolves around three main characters from the US, UK and Vietnam, who share a love for the Ao Dai. They are Thai Nguyen - a Vietnamese-American designer, the first person to bring the Vietnamese Ao Dai to the Oscar red carpet; Anna Hoang - a young girl who started creating unique Ao Dai designs at the age of 10 in the UK. The last character is a famous Ao Dai designer in the country, representing the connection between tradition and modernity.

Viet Filmmaker Han Le (Photo: Courtesy of Han Le).

One of the major inspirations for the film came from the image of Queen Nam Phuong wearing Ao Dai at the Vatican in 1939, a symbol of identity and cultural integration. The film also captures the transformation of Ao Dai when it appeared at international fashion events, on the red carpet with Vietnamese artists such as Ali Wong.

According to film producer Han Le, the message of The Long Dress is that no matter how time changes, Ao Dai is still a living symbol of Vietnamese identity, connecting the past and the future, helping each person confidently express themselves. Therefore, the film is not only a journey to discover the beauty and sophistication of Ao Dai but also a discovery of identity. Han Le hopes that Ao Dai can connect Vietnamese people around the world, from the previous generations to the younger generations who continue to carry Vietnamese blood in their veins. That is how traditional cultural values ​​can connect communities and find intersection with other cultures.

During the filming process, Han Le not only encountered technical difficulties but also internal conflicts as she sought to balance between tradition and modernity, between preserving the original values ​​and the development of Ao Dai in the context of globalization.

"In difficult moments, I had to struggle with big questions: Am I preserving the integrity of Ao Dai when I want to introduce it to the world? Does making Ao Dai popular globally mean losing its inherent quintessence? These moments of struggle are not easy, but thanks to them, the film becomes deeper, reflecting the internal conflicts of people when facing the new and the old," said Han Le

The Long Dress is expected to be completed in July 2025 and will be promoted in Vietnam as well as around the world.

Changing the world's perception of Vietnamese culture

Filming crew (Photo: Courtesy of Han Le).

Although The Long Dress focuses on Ao dai, it is not simply a film about the beauty of the dress but will convey deeper cultural values. It is about the story of the people who have preserved and developed the ao dai over many generations.

According to film producer Han Le,Ao Dai is a part of Vietnamese culture, but through this film, she wants to talk about the stories behind each Ao Dai, about the Vietnamese people who wear Ao Dai and how this costume helps them reconnect with their roots. It will also show the creativity and ability to develop of Vietnamese culture. Ao Dai is not something that only exists in the past, but is still alive, adapting and developing over time. The film will be showcase the innovation and vitality of a cultural heritage through the generations.

It features the beautiful scenes of Vietnamese landscapes, villages and people because these are elements that can bring a complete and authentic view of Vietnam, not just what tourists often see through common. The beautiful scenes of Vietnam, from the bustling streets of Hanoi to the peaceful villages in the West, will be the foundation to highlight the elegant and delicate beauty of the Ao Dai.

"The film is like a love letter to Vietnam, a way for me to express my love and pride for my nation's heritage. I hope it will become a bridge to help Vietnamese people everywhere feel more deeply about their heritage and cultural values," said Han Le.

Han Le hopes The Long Dress will not only be a film but also a part of the change in the way the world perceives Vietnamese culture.

"Vietnamese culture is not just the past, but a living, developing part that continues to shine modernly and creatively," Han Le shared.

Han Le (right) and the Ambassador of Vietnam to UK Do Minh Hung (Photo: Courtesy of Han Le)

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