Throughout the many decades he has lived and worked both in Vietnam and abroad, Prof. Dr. Bui Duy Tam has always held a special affection for Vietnam’s traditional Ao-dai. To him, Ao-dai is not merely a beautiful garment, but one that embodies the history, identity and self-respect of a nation. On the occasion of his return to Hue and his visit to Quang Trung Primary School - where he sponsored the tailoring of five-panel Ao-dai for nearly 1.500 students, Prof. Dr. Bui Duy Tam spoke with Hue Today Weekly about his aspiration to revive Vietnam’s national dress.

On the morning of July 11, Phong Dinh Ward People’s Committee officially launched the Hue Community Ao Dai Week 2026 at Phuoc Tich Ancient Village under the theme “Traditional Ao Dai - Old Scent of the Ancient Village”.

In response to Hue Ao Dai Week 2026, on the morning of July 10, the Department of Education and Training organized a mass performance program themed “The Beauty of Ao Dai in Schools” at Phan Dang Luu High School.

On the afternoon of July 8, Hue City Department of Culture and Sports, in collaboration with Hoang Sy Club as well as various dance and folk dance clubs, teams, and groups, organized the “Ao Dai Dance 2026” exchange program in response to Hue Ao Dai Week 2026.

On the evening of July 5th, as part of Hue Ao Dai Week 2026, Hue City Garment Association organized the exhibition and interactive experience ‘The Story of Hue Ao Dai’, showcasing hundreds of distinctive ao dai designs.

This was the theme of a community cycling event organized by the People's Committee of Huong Tra Ward on the morning of July 5th as part of Hue Ao Dai Week 2026.

Within the framework of the community Ao Dai Week - “Hue in Autumn” Festival 2026, on the morning of July 4, the Department of Culture and Sports, in collaboration with Hue Monuments Conservation Center, organized a ceremony to offer incense and flowers in commemoration of Martial Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, and holding a procession of gratitude to Martial Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, and Emperor Minh Mang.

On the morning of July 3, hundreds of people wearing the traditional ao-dai took part in the “Ao Dai Connecting Tourism and Heritage” event, held at the forecourt of Quoc Tu Giam historical site of Hue Imperial Citadel (on 23 Thang 8 St., Phu Xuan Ward).

Hue Ao Dai Week 2026, featuring a series of cultural, artistic, and community activities to honor the values of Vietnam’s traditional Ao-dai and reaffirm the brand of “Hue - The Capital of Ao Dai”, will take place from July 3 to 10.

Kicking off Hue Ao Dai Week 2026, scheduled to take place from July 3 to 10, is the event “Ao dai Connecting Tourism and Heritage”, which will be held on the morning of July 3 at the Quoc Tu Giam area.