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| Hue young people participating in an Ao dai show |
On June 4, Hue City Department of Culture and Sports held a meeting to discuss plans for organizing Hue Ao dai Week 2026.
Being held on the 20th day of Lunar May, the event will coincide with the death anniversary of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, a Nguyen ruler widely recognized for his significant contributions to the development of Vietnam’s traditional costume. Beyond being an annual cultural celebration, it is also an occasion to commemorate our ancestors and celebrate the enduring traditional values that have contributed to the formation of Vietnam’s cultural identity.
Centered on the theme of connecting heritage, community, and creativity, Hue Ao Dai Week 2026 will offer residents and visitors a vibrant cultural space across multiple venues throughout the city, from the central areas by the Perfume River to rural communities, ancient villages, and heritage sites.
Kicking off the event series will be “Ao Dai Connecting Tourism and Heritage” at Quoc Tu Giam on the morning of July 3. On the same evening, the Ao Dai Festival Night, themed “Huong Giang Weaving the Grace of the Imperial Capital”, will be staged at the riverside stage in front of Quoc Hoc Hue - High School for the Gifted.
On July 4, coinciding with the anniversary of the passing of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, a series of commemorative activities will be held, including flower and incense offering ceremonies at Truong Thai Mausoleum, a tribute ceremony honoring Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat and Emperor Minh Mang, and the large-scale cultural showcase "Viet Phong hoi tu - Bach hoa bo hanh" (Convergence of Vietnamese costumes - The Procession of Hundreds of Flowers) at Hue Imperial Citadel.
Hundreds of participants dressed in various forms of traditional Vietnamese costumes will come together to create a vivid panorama of the evolution of the national costume heritage through different historical periods.
Throughout the week, a variety of community-based activities will be held, including the environmental cycling event ‘Ao dai Throughout the Streets’, the community ride ‘Hue Ao Dai - The Fragrance of Thanh Tra’, Ao dai parades, artistic performances, thematic exhibitions, interactive experience spaces, and activities tailored for young people and students.
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| Children are dressed in ao dai |
Among the highlights of the week are the exhibition space “The Story of Hue Ao Dai”, the program “The Beauty of Hue Ao Dai”, the exhibition “Ao Dai in Schools”, the show “Ao Dai - The Rhythm of Youth”, the display and performance program titled “Knowledge of Hue Ao dai Tailoring and Wearing” and the “Ao dai Dance” program by the Perfume River.
Notably, the spirit of Ao dai will reach rural areas and local communities through various activities such as the parade “Traditional Ao Dai - Fragrance of Ancient Villages” in Phuoc Tich, the program “Graceful Ao Dai Tailored from Traditional A Luoi Zeng Weaving”, Ao dai photo contests, school Ao dai mass performances, and a variety of accompanying activities held across the city.
The closing program will take place on the night of July 10 at the riverside stage in front of Quoc Hoc - Hue High School for the Gifted, ending a vibrant and colorful artistic week.
According to the organizing committee, beyond simply a festival of beauty and fashion, Hue Ao dai Week also serves as an opportunity to honor enduring cultural values that have shaped the history and evolution of Vietnam’s traditional costume.
Over the years, Hue has made sustained efforts to build and promote the brand name of “Hue – The Capital of Ao Dai”, positioning Ao dai as an integral part of local cultural life, festivals, socio-political events, and tourism activities.
By N. Minh