Ho Chi Minh City Hosts 12th Ao Dai Festival 2026

Month-long festival celebrates Vietnamese Ao Dai and culture

The 12th Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2026 was organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union in coordination with several partner organizations. The event was held under the theme “Golden Threads – Weaving Aspirations.”

The festival ran from 1 to 31 March 2026, with key activities held from 6 to 8 March on Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Additional events were organized at cultural venues, historical sites and tourist attractions across Ho Chi Minh City.

Over the years, the Ao Dai Festival has developed into a cultural and tourism event for the city, promoting the Vietnamese Ao Dai, the country’s traditional attire, while supporting the destination’s tourism image.

The 2026 edition included 17 main activities along with several supporting programmes across the city. Key events included the festival’s opening ceremony on 6 March, an Ao Dai art programme on 7 March, and International Women’s Day celebrations on 8 March. The programme also featured an Ao Dai folk dance ensemble, a city parade and the final round of the Ho Chi Minh City Graceful Ao Dai Contest.

Several cultural and interactive activities were organized during the festival, including Ao Dai exhibitions and experience spaces, a children’s Ao Dai design contest, and an online Ao Dai photo contest. The programme also included a discussion on the Ao Dai with consuls general and international students, as well as themed cultural and photography tours led by Ao Dai Festival ambassadors.

As part of the festival, the “Ao Dai of Love” initiative collected donations of Ao Dai garments and fabric to create outfits for women and female workers facing economic challenges. In addition, some tourist attractions and travel businesses offered promotional offers for visitors wearing Ao Dai during the festival period.

Through these activities, the festival continues to highlight the cultural significance of the Vietnamese Ao Dai while presenting Ho Chi Minh City as a destination that connects culture, heritage and tourism.

The city has also announced that the next edition of the festival is expected to take place in the first week of March 2027.