Argentina’s Diplomatics News Network has published an article by Mirta Ayala, on “Ao Dai”, the Vietnamese traditional costume for men and women.

Vietnamese girl in ao dai

In her article, Mirta wrote that unlike the Japanese kimono or Korean Hanbok, the Vietnamese ao dai is worn on various occasions such as weddings, lunar new year and international events as Vietnam’s national costume. It is also used in schools and offices as uniform.

Most Vietnamese women wear ao dai for the national costume event in beauty competitions, she added. While men wear a loose ao dai, women choose tight-fitting ones which highlight their curves, the author wrote, adding that ao dai goes with comfortable, loose-fitting pants.

According to Mirta Ayala, she had the honor to meet the wife of Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina Nguyen Dinh Thao, Mrs. Huong Tran Thi Mai at the Embassy to listen to detail about Ao Dai.

Ao dai is made from silk and decorated with different embroidered patterns and often goes with “Non La” (palm-leaf conical hat) or turban, traditional Vietnamese accessories for men and women, the author wrote. Whenever you hear about Vietnam, definitely you will hear about Ao Dai. Today, Ao Dai is very popular with different designs and colors.

In addition, Ayala has also asked if they use other material other than the Vietnamese silk, the Ambassador answered that in a modern fashion they buy silk or any similar material from other countries that will feel or look like silk to fit the requirements of an Ao Dai.

The patterns normally resemble nature, although this is not a rule. It is also common to see nowadays embroidery and accessories like stones or glitters to beautify the dress. It is also influenced by fashion today, therefore some men can wear an Ao Dai that might look like a shirt as they are shorter in the body length. It is also similar in women, as they might look like a shorter dress worn with trousers or slacks./.

VNF/Hanoitimes